Snoozing apprentice

I planned a fine day in the studio but was thwarted by traffic, I have spent 7 hours in London hold ups when I should have been working. This is a lot of radio 4 even for me.  I just cannot carry some sculpture on the bus and a simple car trip back from Battersea took 4 hours for a 15 mile journey and I thought the smoke I could see from my studio before I set out for home was an early bonfire party but actually turned out to be a car on fire. So even the trip home, normally straightforward was again frustratingly slow. So not much progress on 3 small - and for once I really do mean small - sculptures. Polly the apprentice, below, was raring to go before we had to undertake the mammoth trek across  the metropolis, she slept all the way and is asleep again at my feet now, power napping to be ready for tomorrow.

Kyoto beckons

Not sure whether I shall be able to get there or not yet but I shall have three small sculptures in Kyoto, Japan next March. This is all through the East West Award happening later this year in Pall Mall. Small is requested so the one below at just 5'' might be winging its way.

All good

I have been taking the air in Broadstairs and Whitby, taking a much needed break after a busy year. I am feeling invigorated, though I am not sure how long that will last! I spent my time listening to some amazing music, singing Christmas carols (indeed, even in August with everyone sweltering in a heat wave), watching porpoise and walking. In Whitby it seems that anywhere you go is always 'up'. I return to London

to start a new term in my now permanent position as sculpture co-ordinator at the City Lit and an email informing me that once again I am shortlisted for the East West Award - YES!!!!

more photos

More photos.......clay sculpture made in Chelmsford as part of the AA2A

Gihon

At last - photos of the Vermont stone sculpture

too hot

I blame the heat ! Despite the studio actually being quite cool for much of the day, walking into the yard in the mid afternoon and the heat really hits you. I spilt a whole flask of coffee in the car this morning, good news, the car actually smells nicer, though in truth that probably isn't too difficult. I have been busy spraying colour onto some fired clay pieces but somehow manage to use completely the wrong colour on the other side of one set, can't think of any good news there. I had ordered a small slab of granite earlier in the week so I called in as arranged to pick it up on the way in to the studio,  good news the dog got an extra walk while I waited for them to do the job, bad news, I stuck it on the wrong way round, it really was the heat - honestly!  Two sculptures submitted to an exhibition have been lost, a very upset gallery!! Good news is that the AA turned up really quickly to fix the flat tyre. I know I should have been able to do it myself but the nuts were on so tight, the local pub had a bet as to who amongst them had enough muscle to undo them and they all lost!

red carpet? humph!!

Well well, 100 posts on, something of a milestone and it would be nice to have a red carpet and a bit of a fanfare. Instead of announcements proclaiming sculpture prizes, awards, 4th plinth or a major solo show I can show you a couple of photos of works in progress. The studio is wonderfully cool despite the heat outside and I am enjoying a few days of concentrated studio time.

I have the wonderful Paul coming in next week to take some decent shots