The ducks are on the horizon now that Open College of the Arts has made an offer re: the Fine Art MA, commencing Sept 2019. It's a part-time course spread over 3 years.  A practical MA, delivered digitally via Skype conferencing, split screen virtual studio and tutorials on-line. Super wizzy, zero commute, good for the environment, and family-friendly-flexible... thus fingers may remain in multiple pies.  Everything is recorded for posterity/CPD of tutors at the college, and I vow to record the goings-on via blog and instagram.

Desrie Thomson-George's powerful graduate show on display at The former Newington Libuary, 155 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RS.

Inspirational sculptor and speaker, Desrie's maquettes greet you in the lobby, while the strong black females: Invisible, Fractured, Bound, and Liberated are on display on the 1st floor. Beautiful modelling of form, and sumptous patination, produced in just a couple of months.  Congratulations.

No.1 How it was done

I've taken over the extension for sculpture purposes over the Easter break.

Down goes a ground sheet and large drip tray. The inside of the rubber horse mould, including the ears (turned inside out) is cleaned with an old scrubbing brush and water. Next the rubber is fitted back into the two-part Jesmonite jacket. The sugar cube keys are lubed with fairy liquid and squeezed into the female parts to ensure the rubber does not move or bend out of shape.
The jacket is

Yesterday was super-frosy, and I wanted to belt down the A3 to photograph misty atmospheric wetlands... art lost in this case - had to remember I'm human and need to rid myself of a rough cough.
Off then to the warm Octogan room at Orleans House for the artists network coffee morning.http://www.arthouseopenstudios.co.uk/
Met up with Henry, organiser of ArtHouse, and have stepped up to include sculpture in the group show, which is exciting! Also met the charming Morgan Penn, and had a romp through influences, comparing notes on corporate life, family, portrature.  Also the ever young, beautiful, Maggie ex mover and shaker from the Arts Council.
Then delicious carrot and sweet potato soup up the road at The Crown with Bernard. SO good.
Dorich House Museum http://www.dorichhousemuseum.org.uk/ in the afternooon was a treat. Researching Dora Gordine's contemporaries at the Morris Singer and Valsuani foundrys. Ideas flowing back and forth re: the lost wax method. Last minute visit from Anet Ben David and Jet re: future projects at Dorich. See her work at the Stanley Picker here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBYQ8HCIYEw

A beautiful frosty night with a waxing cresent moon above the clear run down the M3 to Guildford university for Briony's lecture c/o Surrrey Sculptors Soc.
Her elegant ideas and sculptures stem from the juncture between art and science. A pleasure to listen to the simple clear-thinking and focused experiences of residencies at the Mariani foundry at Pietrasantas, and Pangolin London.

I was inspired by the mention of an organic creative proccess of pouring hot wax into warm water then manipulating with oiled hands; and the Morphic resonance theory of Rupert Sheldrake.

I'm about to embark on mould-making in Jesmonite, but will investigate bio-resins developed by Canonbury too.

http://www.fonderiamariani.com/index-en.html
http://wnews/worldnews/europe/italy/11478254/Battle-over-Michelangelos-marble-quarries.html
https://mariagamundi.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/the-fonderia-artistica-mariani-one-of-pietrasantas-most-famous-bronze-foundries/
http://www.sheldrake.org/research/morphic-resonance

http://www.surreysculpture.org.uk/lectures

Follow the link for details on Briony's work, and how to get to the Austin Pearce Lecture Theatre.

I'm excited to start this blog with news that I'll be hosting and tutoring a new Drawing and Painting group from 22nd February. The extension with it's large patio doors and skylight is the perfect light-filled space to welcome the small group!