First Day Impressions & Thoughts

 Yesterday was my first in-person day on campus. It feels real now.

It has been frustrating to this point as administrative systems don't work very fast. Although, I did only submit my online application on September 7th (I had started it sooner but was waiting for answers to questions I had due to my status.) But, as of yesterday evening I am now officially enrolled, have an email and this morning could access the digital learning platform.

Yesterday's seminar was Introduction to Critical Study Seminars and Writing with  Laura Hopes. We did introductions and some exercises around defining our work, practises and research concepts in written words. 

I felt a little odd/out-of-place in that my current "practise" is creating saleable, marketable items in glass to stock our shop... to make a living, as one does. I have done and plan to do, most of my work on this program on the social themes that interest me - women's reproductive rights, conservation and environmental issues and how they correlate and/or align with each other.  But it isn't how I spend my days in the studio working for myself.

This is part of the reason I like to be in a learning environment (aka continual student) it gives me the time to think and produce work (with deadlines) that is the result of conceptualizing my interests and research done into something I can physically produce. Not just something someone will want to buy. 

It was the same working as a Make-Up Artist, Prop and Costume designer/builder. You do the day-to-day production work to suit your client's needs. It was lovely when I was given carte blanche to design for a show to MY vision, not theirs. Competitive face and body painting gave me great creative outlets - to a predetermined theme of course, but my original take on it nonetheless.

It was  great to learn about my cohorts - I think this will definitely be an enjoyable program. I can already see where my past work in different media and experiences mesh with theirs and have ideas about possible collaborations... if they are interested.

"Evolutionary Ladder" (2019) Collage using magazines, cardboard, recycled artwork, dimensional paint, gold pigments, markers and paper tole. Incorporates watercolour paintings, drawings, stamping and chalk rubbings.

"The Garden of Men" (2020) Collage incorporating acrylic paint and replicated hand-drawn and watercolour painted imagery.

"African Elephant" (2020) 3D construction using a wooden armature, found/recycled materials, fabric mache, collage, modelling paste, etc. Frame is 2 x 2 feet. Unfortunately this project was not finished due to the pandemic.

"Sunflower Bowl" (2022) Fused glass mosaic bowl. 30 cm in diameter. [sold] Since February 2022 I have been creating sunflower glass art to sell in our shop and 50% of all sales go to Ukraine Relief.