A Halt in Proceedings

 On the 11th March I found out that I'd been granted a VACMA award from Aberdeen City Council. At the time I was halfway through having covid - not the best of times - and this put a halt on all proceedings. 

I was really excited but had no energy. I couldn't do much of anything really which was very frustrating. 

Today we felt ok enough to begin re-roofing the wee shed I use for sculpture. Old roof off and the wood - well, it wasn't even wood - was bowed and had been leaking for ages as well as the shed slowly listing to the right.

New thicker ply (recycled from an event) went up and and a new centre beam, then I lost my energy and had to have a rest. My partner carried on and put the underfelt on it.

That is where I am now. A new roof on the shed, strengthened to prevent the listing and all tidied, am so pleased. It gives me a sense of joy just to open the door. Now just to get more energy after this illness and I'll get on with the sculptures I want to make.

I've got an award!!!

 Today, the email came through from Aberden City Council about my VACMA Application. I have been granted the award and I'm so excited.

I can now book an Open Access week at the Scottish Sculpture Workshop in Lumsden to learn mould making for bronze casting. 

Things to do, things to organise, mainly myself of course, and ideas to generate.

This is the plaster sculpture I'd like to make castings from. It is life sized so fits beautifully in my hand.

Made during lockdown when I couldn't get access to my stone pieces, the plaster is delicate, as you can imagine but carves wonderfully. I had a couple of plaster blocks hanging around from a craft/art pack we'd been making at the scrapstore (ScrapAntics) for disadvantaged teens amongst others.

Beach Walking

 Yup,

I've been to the beach, Balmedie is the one, near Aberdeen.

Although I did draw a little it was more of a word day.

 

Scrambling over the dunes,

and  a slow step, steep slide

down to the beach.

I walked along following the shell and stone line.

Waves to the right

Calming me

Farther along the shells are broken,

and I hear the crunch of my steps

intermittantly through the sound of the waves.

The tide is going out.

I find a small bag, empty 

and I begin to fill it with rubbish

It makes me feel good.

It fills quickly.

I move to a bigger bag 

and on it goes.

I stop to watch the wee scurry aboot birds (Sanderlings)

eating and cleaning themselves.

Lunch

A dog to pet

A person to greet

Walking back with the sun on my face

This feels good

It brings tears of release

Only a few (maybe more next time)

I walk towards the sun

and shut my eyes

Warm reds and orange - I feel protected by them.

I keep going with the sun as my direction

and the shell line crunch to guide my way.

Pattern Cutting begins again!

So pleased to be back learning with MIN Atelier, aka my friend Tracey, brilliant tutor.

I couldn't remember how much we'd completed when the classes stopped due to lockdown. I thought we were just drawing out the pattern, but to my surprise, I'd already cut out the toile, sewed the two front panels to the back and sewn one sleeve. The two hours went by quickly and it now has two sleeves.

A sense of accomplishment.

New Place, New Times, New Opportunities

 Seems best to start in a positive way, there have been sooooo many changes in the last 2 years that I'm not sure whether I'll write about them or not, probably a few key posts but obviously retrospectively.

News!!

I'm now concentrating solely on my art practice and it is exciting and scary at the same time. Thanks to my amazing partner for supporting me fully in this otherwise I wouldn't be able to manage.

My sculpture has taken a different direction and I've moved away from completely abstract to nature based abstract. And I am Loving it!

Updates to follow....

Carving with 'Ministry of Stone'

I finally made it to Lincoln and the gargoyle carving course, actually a grotesque but who cares.
Working with stone again and learning new skills with new tools, what more can I say.

I was a little worried about it all due to my tendonitis flaring up for the first time in many years...typical timing, but all was good.

Pattern cutting

As the title suggests, I have been learning pattern cutting, my tutor is the wonderful Tracey Stewart (aka MIN atelier)
More and more I've been getting fed up trying to find clothes that I like and that fit me. If something is in a nice fabric, the pattern is horrible or the garment has some silly frilly bit or cut too low or just plain doesn't fit.

This is a very precise science and I love it. Proper measuring and marking out. Really appeals to the engineering side of me.

Too involved to take photos but will try in the future.