sociable

A sociable life this week with two separate visitors at the studio making helpful and very positive comments. I am usually on my own and there is often no one else in the building, though there can be some interesting people in cars in the road outside. Thankfully my nudists did not put in an appearance this week. I spent Friday night at APT in Greenwich for their regular open studios,  an amazing hub of artists who have been working  alongside each other for years and making outstanding work. I knew Lou Smith from my Foundation course, Richard Lawrence and Anthony Daley from Wimbledon School of Art. Sheila Vollmer, Steven Lewis, Mali Morris and Geoff Rigden amongst several others as well, are all showing at the RA Summer Show. A vibrant mix of excellent work and extraordinary to think that they have been such an important part of my sculptural life for so long.  Nose to the grindstone now that a fresh batch of clay has been fired....photos later when I start assembling out all

Nudes but no drawing

Having spent much of the day in front of the computer updating handouts for students, a worthy pursuit and one which did need doing,  I made sure that I did get to the studio. I needed to collect some clay to be fired and have another go at splitting a green ash log. The clay is part of a series, one of which 'Mossom' is still on show at the Royal Academy.   The log is proving remarkably resistant to any working and there will be cheers when the split happens. I gave up eventually as it was getting late but  despite the reluctant ash, it was a productive evening. 
My studio is down a dead end road and there is a short turning, away from prying eyes there always seems to be someone 'waiting' in a car. This time a car was parked right in the middle of the road in front of my gates. As I was going to be loading boxes of clay I needed them to move though I was clearly interrupting a private moment.  The young couple were really lovely, she re-arranged her garb and moved the car. 4 hours later the private moment was still ongoing but they obliged my request to move again. I only realised they were naked when they opened the totally steamed up window to be able to see where they were driving. Driving home, I notice a man using crutches  trying to walk with his jeans literally round his knees.  I decided that none of them would appreciate me asking them if I could do some life drawing.

Poussin gallery

A weekend in glorious Devon avoiding the jubilee as far as possible meant dashing back to London in the pouring rain last night. I just, but only just, managed to see Jeff Rigden's paintings and constructions at the Poussin Gallery. www.poussin-gallery.com It was well worth the effort and lots of good people there too, a great evening. 
I am now back in the hurly burly of applications, more exhibitions required. Taiwan and the Royal Academy are great but I can't rest on my laurels. 

The Royal Academy

I would like to show some photos but despite taking my camera I made a serious omission of forgetting fresh batteries. If others send me photos I shall rectify the situation so meanwhile you will just have to take my word for it and believe me when I tell you it was a glorious day to parade down Piccadilly following the Rector of St James church, a Reverend from St Pauls and a steel pan group playing 'When the Saints'. With the sun shining, the traffic at a standstill, surrounded by more artists than I thought possible, we walked to the church for a beautiful church service where I was able to stare at the Grinling Gibbons carvings. Back to the RA to catch up with friends and find my sculpture. I was so happy to see so many people I knew, especially Kate Wilson and Sheila Vollmer, as well as ex and current students and John Carter who taught me. I was very restrained, only one glass of champers and even then I waited until I had had some nibbles. My work 'Mossom' is resplendent in room VII hung by Alison Wilding.  The room is busy with a huge variety of different works, an eclectic mix. More to follow as I take it all in and wait for photos.

A good day

A good day -:
Sheila Vollmer came to my studio to deliver a crate destined for Taiwan with mine and there was fine coffee and good chat. 
I made the finishing touches to my own crates which will be collected on Monday
I cleaned up all the polystyrene snow but I am sure it will multiply again when I am not looking. I found a screwdriver and a countersink in the process that I thought were lost forever.
I got some sculpture done and have worked out a plan on how to put it together and..........


I had a letter from the Royal Academy saying I have a piece selected  for the Summer Exhibition! I owe my chum Jenny Page a cuppa for galvanising me into action and applying.  

Life feels rather splendid

                                  A clean floor

Crates with lids and labelled

New wood being split

Tokk preparing for the polystyrene

 Polystyrene everywhere and I kept losing a grey handled screwdriver on the floor in amongst the snow.

 Bisig being buried

 Baerlic undergoing similar operation

Crates almost finished .....and so am I !! Wish I had taken out shares in Polystyrene - I would make a fortune. 

A life in crates

I have made progress. So much so, I feel a new career as boat builder is possible. Have decided that the large box at the back will need wheels as I am not sure how much muscle will be available on Monday and I can hardly move it now. More tomorrow and pictures of the inside.....such fun at the weekend.