ARTISTS TALKING

# 18 [28 June 2008]

 Went into College yesterday to get my results, before I tell you want I got I just what to write all about how I felt all week and to explain why......

 I come from a family that is working class and proud of it. I was the first in the family to go away to college in the eighties, my mum and dad were very proud of me then, but my dad did not understand why I wanted to go to college because when I get married I would be a housewife.. remember this was the Eighties.  When I did get married it was someone from my village in Wales and he had come from a well educated family, so when I did have my children 15 years ago I did give up my work to look after them but it was my choose and I know I made the right choose, I love every moment watching my children grow and develop.

  Anyway Three years ago I decided to go back to college and train to become an Art Teacher putting to two things I love together Art and Children.

 This is were my journey started, I found myself doing this course (which is corny) but I did, I grow as a person. I had a few up and downs like every student, but at the end of my first year, I became ill and went into hospital for quite a big op this ment I missed a few months of my second year. But thankfully I caught up and pass my second Year.

 So this week I found hard all my feeling and emotion were playing over time. Did I care what mark I get?  How can all this personnal development come down to one MARK? I stood outside college yesterday morning feeling sick, trying to decide do I what to know, does it matter what grade I got, as I feel you cannot put a grade on all what I have been through, how much I have learnt and friends I have made.

 A friend seen me outside and made me go in, I was glad I went in I got a 2-1 which I am over the moon with.. but in my heart I know my grade for personnal growth is a 1st.....

 I have decided to stay on in college to my MA, so I will not only be the first in my mum and Dad's family to have a BA but an MA.. When I told my parents my grade they ask if it was good.. See even when you are mature student parents are just BRILL.

Thank You A-N I have enjoyed writing my Blog. Good Luck to next years Degree Students....

# 17 [14 June 2008]

 The PV went well, not as many people there than I thought would be. Mostly students and tutors.

 The show liked great thou, I need to go and photo all the work. Then I can post the images of all the other work..

 I have been ask to give a talk on Monday about my work, so I need to be thinking about that tomorrow.. Taking my husband out tomorrow for Father's Day, we have not done much as are family for a few months so that will be great.. Not that my Children care they would rather be with their friends.

# 16 [13 June 2008]

 I have been very busy doing my installation of the Oriel Wrexham all week. I am happy with the results. I changed the threads to a thicker yarn, which works better the this space.The shadows are so much better in this gallery too. There is lots of spot-light around. 

I had so much trouble with mounting the photographys I do wish I had the money to get them done professionally, the tutors never said anything so they must be okay....

 Would like to develop the idea of using colour thread, that may change or give a different illusion like Bridget Riley paintings. This will be my next project.

 In college last night we had are gallery evening, which went really well, the college as never done that before, so it should be even better next year....

 Tomorrow the Private Veiw of the Oriel Wrexham Degree Show and it runs until 19th July... Hope it gets good reveiws. I am ready of a break now.....

# 15 [5 June 2008]

 Went into college today, for a meeting about about an exhibition in the Oriel Wrexham.

 I have been selected to exhibted in the Degree Show there. which is a great honor. I have got a lot to work to do over the weekend, It going to great for me as it is my own town, last time I had work up in this gallery is when I was in the secondary school... I had some of my GCSE artwork displayed...

 I went to the gallery to see my space. It is quite a big area. I cannot wait to get going now..... I have to write an artist statement again, I find doing the threoy side difficult and my Roger's away,  so this means I have got no help..... but I can e-mail it to him,

# 14 [31 May 2008]

 Well it is all over, the private veiw went very well, I was happy with my end results. I spent Friday re-doing the installtion outside, which come together, after all my worry.

 We have one more night the Gallery Night, which the college as not done before, so we have to wait and see what happens.. 

 I have found it different to take good enough photographes, so you can see all threads etc.

 It was great to see lots of my friends coming to see my work, friends I have been to busy to keep up with. 

 spent most of today in bed, to much to drink ( I do not drink) and not enough sleep, I am going to miss all the younger students, they are nearly all going back home...   

Good Luck to everyone who are GRADUATING........

# 13 [27 May 2008]

 Had a very busy weekend, doing all my paperwork and getting my sketch pad up to date.

 We into college this morning to drop off my files etc. Just hope I have done enough. Now that is out of the way, I can re-think my installation, i have time to re-do the lines on the wall and may be use different thread, I am disappointed with the wire as it is tention not working. think it might be because the sculpture studio very cold..

 Not going into college until Thursday so that gives me two days complete my show...    

The installation outside okay but will have keep going to check the tention on the wire, Inside will have to re-think the lines on the wall as when I went this morning they had started to come away, so I think I will paint them, now I know they work...   

# 12 [23 May 2008]

 Will I finished my installation, not 100% happy with it, but I do not know an artist who is ever happy with their work.

 We have our assessment on Tuesday and Wednesday, so we should get feedback late next week, so we will get some more time to had to our work next week.. our private veiw next Friday. So still got time to re-do my installation.. So we will have to wait and see..

 I am glad this week over the atmosphere in the college was not good, to many students tired and stressed. I get very upset yesterday so decided to just go home and start again today...

 I find it very difficult assessment time, I like putting your soul out there. It is all down to taste and were your tutors like it or not,,,,

 Just have all my files to do over the weekend, so I will be up very early on Tuesday to drop them off before 9.30a.m..

 I have been reading the other Blogs, I like most of us are getting sress and tired.... Not long to go now.

# 11 [21 May 2008]

 Got into my space yesterday, floor looks better, spent most of the day working out the way my threads will work in the space, I have to make sure that I do not bloke Traceys space as you have to walk pass my space to get into Traceys...and as I am sharing a big open space with Lindsay, I cannot approach on her space...

 Seem to pleasing everyone put myself at the moment, Lindsay and I had talked about bloking out the windows last week. but Lindsay decided yesterday she did not want to do that now.. So I am back to the drawing board with my lighting, as my installation is as much about the shadows as the threads....

 I want to SHOUT it is my degree show too.

My tutor came in today, and was pleased with want I am doing so far.. Which was good to hear.

So glad I am outside in the sculpture studios, lots of upset students upstairs in the Fine Art Department, stress and tiredness getting to everyone... we miss most of that were we are.

The 1st and 2nd year students have worked very hard the last week, getting the studios ready. I am so glad i did not have to do it this year. Cleaning the floor was a very shitty job to do.......

# 10 [19 May 2008]

 4 days left to my assessment, got into college today with the news that the floor in the sculpture studios needs a second coat, so that means I could not go into my space, hopefully tomorrow I can start doing my installation inside... I am starting to get even more worried that I am not going to get a good mark because it is going to be very rushed.

I came home to do my artist statement draft 4.. Still needs some work but the tutors want it in today..

Had catologue proof page today, it is looking good. 

Tomorrow is any other day I may get to do some art, fed up with paper work now....

# 9 [14 May 2008]

 Spent three days outside the sculpture studio,creating an installation. Everyday I have finished and when I go back the next day and look at it with fresh eyes, I am not happy about something.

 I am sitting here at the moment reflecting on what I have done today, and decide it is still not right. I am trying to use the space I have got and not change it in anyway, but I don't think it is working....

 The wooden batten sticking out like a score thumb, the selection of the wall thats not painted is all I keep looking at.. should I paint it ? Should I use thicker wire ? I am going to paint the wooden batten... I do wish I do not have to use the batten but the college will not let me make to many holes in the wall.

What do you think??????