The archbishop - a photo this time

I don't think I was quite awake enough last night, here is a photo of the fabulous Archbishop Tutu. 

Desmond Tutu and some photos

A very busy day with amazing Paul who takes fab photos. Somehow I was still trying to finish off this morning as he arrived even though I had convinced myself that I was ready two weeks ago when I booked him! Against a lovely clean background the sculptures really get a 'lift' - images next week when I get them.
Lovely Jean does my website and I have just sent through a pile of very old photos as well as some more recent ones that I haven't got round to dealing with. She has given me some ideas about how to use these images on the site and best of all she does it in a way that I can understand- I am easily confused by tekkie stuff! The upshot is I have been writing a paragraph or two about a commission for a Peace Pole in honour of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and how he gives the best hugs in the world. This will be up on the site very soon. www.alexandraharley.co.uk
Desmond Tutu's name cropped up again this week when I was interviewed by Hotcourses, the guide for adult education courses.  
Hotcourses.com/study-guide/wood-carving-classes/16180339/0/expertview.htm 
The interview asks about my teaching at the City Lit and about life as a sculptor. I mentioned the meeting the Archbishop as one of the highlights of my career and quite honestly he really does give the best hugs ever.

  

 As yet untitled and almost finished but the sanding is taking an age. I usually want a rich texture but this is small - only 12"/30cm so the clarity of the drawing is important.

 This one has been cut and the parts have been splayed out and held in place by sections of metal - I asked  the lovely Andy to make them a couple of weeks ago. This is finished but as yet unnamed. It was a fabulous early spring day so I was able to work outside, a wee bit parky but having fun with both.  

applications

There are some people out there who seem to be successful with, it seems, every application. Some of us take forever just to get the images and statement together. It seems that every gallery/residency/symposium want just an ever so slightly different format. There isn't a one size fits all statement but it would be nice to be able to modify it rather than rewrite from scratch with each one. Don't get me started on the images !!! Different sizes, labelling, formats.... However, it has to be done and actually saying something about your own work does create a more concrete experience and understanding about it. Now back to the applications....

lots of cold and bits

Well the snow looks fab but I decided that braving the roads or the tube would be folly. A Sunday at home spent working on a portrait head and a small wax for the foundry would be more worthwhile. The head is coming on well and I am pleased, the profile has improved and I am starting to put in the hair. It does seem slow after the very speedy start, now I am having to make tiny adjustments which in themselves don't appear significant but add up to a better likeness. The wax is good one minute and then all apart the next, I am sure its getting better but I am not over optimistic. Meanwhile I am also painting away at the metal that lovely Andy made and no he didn't laugh at the peculiar shapes I asked him to make. I plan to deliver this sculpture on Tuesday. In the studio I am finally gluing up the clay pieces with acrylic rod, 1 piece at a time so it is slow progress, again, but on its way. Betsy the dog has the studio heaters, with it being this cold I don't think paint has dried but rather just has frozen solid, rather like my feet were when I was there on Friday.

paper metal stone

Today I have made a series of templates that I am about to show Andy the lovely metal man. With any luck he will not laugh at my crooked bits of paper but will magic them into wonderful sturdy metal which will hold my stone sculptures together. I cut the stone to create some space between the parts - easy, the tricky bit is putting it all back together.

happy new year and Zeno

New year - new chainsaw!! Hurrah! New Bosch which just feels great, some tools just fit and this is fab. With this and a pile of ash wood in the front garden, I am raring to go. However I shall have to curb my enthusiasm as I do need to spend today finishing off some outstanding projects and today I shall tackle a piece of stone which has been on the go for some time and is tentatively booked for photographing in a couple of weeks- I need a deadline, I hate them usually but I am giving myself one now. Sculpture often feels like Zeno's paradox. I think it will take a day to finish, I will not finish today and anticipate it to take another half day, however this isn't quite enough and I shall need the best part of another day....and so on, ad infinitum it seems. Does the sculpture look better when I spend time on it ? I hope so!!