Porcelain

Back in Chelmsford College again and using the kilns. I have been busy working with porcelain which I loaded into the kiln where it will spend time drying out before firing. Potentially two sculptures if the firing goes well. Pity the kiln isn't in the studio as I would be warmer! 

all connected up

Having had a successful interview, I shall be teaching a few hours a week at Morley College in central London. All good. One the questions at the interview was about my attitude to social media. So kicking and screaming I find myself with a Twitter account Alexandra Harley@HarleySculpture, I constantly amaze myself!

padding and glowing

Meanwhile, back in the studio and it is freezing, thermals, padded shirts and two pairs of trousers were essential; in fact I was so well padded that had I fallen over, I probably would have bounced and I am not sure that I could have got up again. I was working with clay yesterday, so I wasn't quite so active as I am when I am carving;  I was preparing some porcelain for a new sculpture, this is a material I have never tried before so there are some exiting times ahead. This is assuming I haven't succumbed to hypothermia and/or frostbite in the cold of the studio.
My studio is hard by the Olympic park in east London,  and I see Anish Kapoor's 'Mittal Tower' from my studio, gleaming at me in the night, the red glow provides the only warmth

2015 - keeping on

2014 has been busy, productive as well as fun! That's a good result. New friends made in Kyoto, friendships renewed in Massachusetts and friends maintained here in the UK. I managed to get into the studio regularly and I have been involved in several great shows, so here's to 2015. Another 'Brancaster Chronicles' to look forward to and a new years resolution to keep going!

Anselm and me

Behold and hurrah! I have been included in a new book of all things to do with drawing and painting, by Kate Wilson. My page here, with my drawing on the left, followed by Anselm Kiefer, also included are worked by my good chums Annie Attridge and Alison Harper.  I am so proud to be included with an amazing set of artists, Kate did a great job of putting it all together and she does go right through the alphabet to include artists whose names begin with other letters than just 'A'!

The covers, one for America and one for England, not sure which one is which though, Kate did tell me but my mind has gone blank.

wellies

It was raining stair rods on Sunday, there was no respite so I was at the private view for the Cafe Gallery in wellies along with a lot of other soggy people as well. 'Bleikur' is the smallest pink sculpture

Free Painters and Sculptors

All welcome!

You are cordially invited to the Private View of The Free Painters and Sculptors Open Exhibition 2014 at the Featuring the Roy Rasmussen Awards   2nd December 6-9pm   The Menier Gallery | 51 Southwark Street | London SE1 1RU  | United Kingdom www.meniergallery.co.uk Featuring:   Alex McIntyre James Reynolds Simon Burder Kevin Keating Alexandra Harley Janet Scott Susan Absolon Lori Endo Anna Cocciadiferro Jody Little Will Barton Maria Pierides Anette Sykes John Parfitt Zoe Landau Konson Noel Condon Bruni Schling Owen Legg Andy Gashe Rachael Bailey Bettina Reiber Marco Alessi Ann Kopka Rhiannon Salisbury Caroline Cary Pasquale Cesare Camilla Bliss Richard Goldsmith Charlie Taylor Pete Murry Chuck Monroe Rob McSweeney David Davies Pete Roseman Christopher Sacre Roy Osbourne Dijana Bekvalac PIKY Clare Gordon Sally Ward Gabriel Parfitt Roy Rasmussen Debbie Reynolds Trinidad Ball   Sally Buchanan Joanna Ciechanowska   ABOUT THE 2014 FPS OPEN  The FPS Open is an annual event that brings FPS members and guest artists together to create an exciting and inclusive exhibition of the UK's best new and established artists.  The event is open to fine artists at any stage of their career and there is no restriction of concept, style or material. This year will again feature the coveted Roy Rasmussen Award for best in show, although this year it will be particularly poignant as Roy, an original founding member who was integral to the success and longevity of FPS, sadly passed away in May, aged 94. To honour the occasion we will feature a retrospective display of his works as part of the exhibition that will illustrate the truly unique and pioneering talents of the internationally renowned sculptor. Roy Rasmussen's 'The Prisoner' ABOUT THE FREE PAINTERS AND SCULPTORS FPS is an artist lead organisation based at the Menier Gallery that supports and promotes artists to develop their work on their own terms. The group builds long-term relationships with artists and promotes the dialogue and exchange of ideas within the visual arts through annual exhibitions and events. Established in 1952, FPS was originally associated with the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts). Founding members featured many high profile and influential artists, including Roy Rasmussen, Lyall Watson and Maurice Jadot. FPS played a significant part in the establishment of abstract art in the 1950's and 60's and was the first of a number of post war movements that freed artists from the orthodoxy of rigid and purely technical judgements.  This ethos continues today and we welcome applications from talented artists at all stages of their career.     FLICKR | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | LINKEDIN | BLOG Lead Curator and Exhibitions Manager: Gabriel Parfitt | info@freepaintersandsculptors.co.uk | 07786865356 Graphics: Mike Garland | me@mikegarland.com General: info@freepaintersandsculptors.co.uk | www.freepaintersandsculptors.co.uk