ARTISTS TALKING

# 2 [12 September 2009]

Well, i attended my first northern carboot this morning, and certainly didnt allow myself enough time. The sellers filled the race course fields and i couldnt believe what was on offer - i could have spent the day there. I finally bought a letter tray - something i have been eying up for nearly 2 years but was always over £20 in lonodn - got mine today for £3. Nice. Add to that a cobblers last and hammer,  a beautiful woolen blanket, a 20s map of england, some books, 2 jumpers, a smock and a vest, a bag of broken jewelery, an emamel Beatles poster and an antique clock face amongst other things, all for no more than £18. I didnt even get around the whole site as i had to head back for lunch and duty. But with 2 left before it ends for the year, i'll deinately put it into my diary to go again. Next time i will try to be a bit more focused and get stuff i really need.

As part of my residency i'll be running activities for the students - textiles, sculpture and experimental jewellery, as well as horse riding, film nights and cookery classes...! I need to sit down and think about how to start these as i have no way of predicting numbers and ages. These pupils seem to work best without too much forced instruction, which is nce and should work well with all i have researched in the past couple of months about Froebel (knowledge through play - see my other blog...)

I'm also starting a life drawing class, and have already had over 20 students sign up. I think i'll have to run another. I'm impress how keen they seem to be - i was always terrified of life drawing! Luckily, a visiting tutor at the RCA reinspired me and i hope to use some of his techniques for my classes. 20 is definately far too many for one class though. WHen my duty finishes, i'll be heading to the studio to get my stuff in. The estates team and porters, as wella s the art department staff have been surpridingly supportive of my desire for "stuff" and have helped me out with the bits and pieces i have found and desired within the campus sheds.... beautiful things....

# 1 [11 September 2009]

Well, its been 4 days since i loaded up the car and drove the 5 hour journey to York. Since then its been a whirlwind of meetings, inductions, film club, meeting the students and being introduced to far too many people to remember...

I've only just got round to painting my part of the studio and intend to organise the rest tomorrow after the much anticipated carboot sale (i've been told theyre the best up here...)

I've attended my first Quaker meeting (more on that later) and i've been stunned by the talent of the A-level students.

I'm keen to get on with my work - i have a few projects in mind - but for now its too hectic...