Wow where do you start when you are allowed to write your own proposal. From semester 1 I have most enjoyed printing and carving and constructing small sculptures so it makes sense to investigate these further.

I want to continue with patterns and nature combined with the passing of time/seasons and colour change and the way it makes me feel.

Going into uni today I could see silluettes of trees on the hillside with streaks of red sky  behind it looked beautiful  but it is impossible  to take a photograph  when you are driving, but the idea is there.

Something like this, though it is likely to change.

I’ve seen my personal tutor today and got the marks and feedback from my ‘rubbish’ project all very positive and as a result I’m going to continue to use the rubbish theme. I had thought they wouldn’t want us to continue to use the same ideas but it is positively encouraged. I have ideas developing already let’s see what happens when we have our briefing tomorrow.

I am struggling today, fibromyalgia making it hard to think. I have my briefing in an hour so let’s hope I can snap out ot it.

Feeling more with it now, I’ve recorded the briefing, this semester looks exciting. I can’t believe the end of the first year is already on the time table. After the briefing I went to the print lab and talked to Claire Phalan one of the professional artists very interesting. She has made a colograph using the paper music sheet from a steam music organ darkening some areas with carborumdum. The sheet has been stuck to mount board with wood glue which also seals the paper ready for inking.

I’ve been to the print lab an received my feedback from my elective, I am very happy! Had a quick word with Micaela (aa2a)artist and agreed to meet on Monday so I can see her pottery. Then I’ve been to the library to do some research and my aa2a blog. I really don’t like the aa2a website such hard work uploading photos and impossible to upload a video. Shattered now it seems 3pm is when I drop. The canteen was finishing up when I arrived. Oops.

I haven’t done much this evening other than rest as I was in so much pain when I got home. Our neighbour came round for a chat she is being stalked, the police are involved I’ve given her the details of the company who fitted our camera. I hope that helps it sounded quite frightening.

40 minutes to get to town then 2 hours at the opticians followed by 15 minutes at the drs. Thankfully I didn’t have to queue to get out of town. Now to sort out the broadband.

Life drawing this morning with nick as our model then I’ve made a roulade

Family do this afternoon for my parents 60th wedding anniversary.

Sunday went to church then home for lunch. We watched the film Post which is about the Washington post and the publishing of official documents which highlight the failure of the Vietnam war, whilst the government was telling the public that it was successful. Very interesting and it explains why Deep throat was willing to give The Washington post their information.

Lovely morning watching Micaela Schoop create one of her art pieces. It is all about communication it is very tactile. Her finished pieces and heavily decorated with patterns the patterns are carefully chosen to communicate the meaning of the piece using braille, binary code symbols and traditional design from lots of different cultures. The body grows quickly with the clay impart dictating the final shape. But the patterns on the surface are carefully added taking many hours. All are hand drawn initially some are then etched.

I’ve had my first tutorial with Fay a different style from my last tutor. Looked up the artists she gave me.

Went to the mac suit in Victoria building to get my photo ready to go on acetate I hadn’t quite finished when I noticed the time and had to rush to my lecture, I arrived the same time as the tutor which was ok but didn’t give time to sort out my recording and it didn’t work!

Lunch then back to the mac suit till my eyes had had enough.

Booked health and safety induction with ceramics for tuesday and printing all day monday.

Started  the day in The Harris  museum and Gallery  we had a look round and each chose a piece of art that we wanted  to integrate. I chose beside the brambled brook.

A photograph of a pond taken by the artist has been over painted with oil representing his memories of extreme weather and how it made him feel. It is a large painting which dominates the wall it is displayed on the paint has been added with energy and in different thicknesses only part of the photo shows through.

I saw Magda when I got back to check my pictures for printing, they were ok but too big so back to the mac suit this time in Hanover building and I managed to get the picture ready alot quicker and easier. My eyes don’t like all this computer time, new glasses required.

Friday my eyes really bad this morning so I sat and listened to an audio book. When Paul got up we went to my art room to sort our his portfolio. I really hope his teacher helps with presentation. Paul made lunch then I spent the afternoon linocuting until I had to take Paul to physio.

Visit to Rheged print exhibition in Cumbria

No art yesterday unless you include booking a holiday to draw botanical flowers in coloured pencils. It’s my annual art holiday with mother something not to be missed.

We went to Manchester to see Strictly come dancing with mother then on to our favourite Chinese, excellent day.

Went to the artlab I had hoped to get started on my screen print preparation but the technition spotted a problem with my photo namely the resolution was too low it needs to be 300 so at lunch time I went into the mac suit and Re did the photos. They are correct now and the digital files have been handed in to be printed on acetate. With Seewarts help I prepared two pieces of zinc with hard ground. Each piece was cleaned with soy sauce and Whiting powder to remove grease then melted wax is rolled onto the plate whilst it is on a hot plate. After lunch I started on my mono prints. I chose Summerset paper as I want white paper with a tooth to give texture to the print. Using scrap paper to mask the land I chose the inks for the ski these were mixed with print oil to make them more fluid and give them more shine on the finished print. I applied them to the plate with a palette knife so the ink is in different thicknesses and adds texture. These prints are now drying ready for the next layer. Cleaning done with white spirit ( gloves worn to prevent the risk of liver damage).

This morning I’ve worked on my sketch book and designed my hard ground etching

Then this afternoon I have been in ceramics having the health and safety talk come tour of the ceramic studio. Some has come back to me as Geoff told us what to do I recognised and remembered what I had done previously. We use clay from our workshop and can either use the equipment in the ceramic studio or in our studio then transfer to ceramics when we are ready for firing, glazing etc.

Lecture 2 we have moved from the art scene in France to the art scenes in Germany and Italy another full on lecture so much information I have difficulty taking it all in, not helped by my eyes still causing problems. I went to find the Harris building after I think I can walk tomorrow, just take my time.

Called into the optician glasses adjusted and new eye test booked.

Seminar this morning in the Harris building I walked there easy enough but coming back was harder. The seminar was very interesting I think once we get going the information will stick. At the moment reading art books or more correctly books about art is a bit like learning a new language. This afternoon I’m back in my comfort zone creating art.

I almost didn’t do any art I started the day at the Drs then had to take my son to college with all his sketch books which were too many for him to carry on the bus then we had lunch before I had physio. Doesn’t sound like much but it took up alot of time. I was happy to sit and do some art.

Saturday life drawing for some reason I really struggled with the head today, some days inspiration fails. Lunch then more reading when I can keep awake. I am trying to get to grips with all these ‘isms’ there are so many in art.

I did some reading and started my bibliography as I always hate finishing an essay spending ages sorting out references.

Sunday woke in pain and struggling all day. Lunch at Gwen’s I just listened to the talk, mainly about Brexit! Dungeons and Dragons wasn’t much fun I was falling asleep and had a cracking head. Tomorrow will be better.

Good day started by removing the scratches with straw hat varnish. Then putting my first hard ground into the etching solution. Whilst that was etching I worked on one of my mono prints.

Inks mixed as desired I wanted colours to reflect the colours I had seen in the evening sky though maybe a little exaggerated

For the final prints I have chosen hahnemule paper as it is a warm white with a good tooth to hold the ink and I think a warm white will work better with these colours. The paper is soaked for about ten minutes then blotted this increases the ink uptake.

Tutorial with Fay interesting probably because I had nothing physical to show her just my photos and ideas. So we were talking about intention and the different ways to interpret my art and the possible differences between what I want to say and how my audience will read the work. How can I focus their vision so they get mine? I did some more carving then left for a late lunch and my repeat eye test. My new glasses have the incorrect prescription in the right lens and the level of focus is above my pupil which also would not help. No wonder I’m struggling to see properly. I collected my new art book ‘What are you looking at?’ I tried to read some but will have to wait for the glasses.

Lecture with Andy Broadly Dada Critical aventgarde very interesting he is a good speaker and although the lecture was long he had everyone’s attention. I hope my recording has worked. I think I’ve caught John’s bug as I don’t feel well. When I’ve finished lunch I will do some more carving, let’s hope I can shake this bug off. I felt a bit better after lunch so maybe I was just too hungry. I’ve done all I want to do today. Collected Paul and went to the gym. Curly there says he will try and get us a dive package a dive a month for £30 I would be happy with that but I’m not getting a dry suit until I am proficient in one, he says the deal will include equipment. We had a cut of tea with Wendy who came and joined us then did the circuit of the machines.

Started the day with more carving before going to my 11am seminar. There were only eight of us turned up so we were divided into two groups of four and told to write everything we could remember on to two white boards we did much better than I expected. Andy then went over what we had written and reinforced the information. The seminar was soon over, infact it over ran and we would have been happy to continue. I had soup for lunch then back to my carving. Paul has been arranging his university interviews which means he has phoned a number of times to confirm dates, some mean I have to rethink my time management.

We are dog sitting for our friend whilst she visits her poorly mother. Paul has been throwing up since 2am and is suffering the dogs are worried about him but not too worried to turn their noses up when asked if they want to go to the park. Mother visiting has brought a lovely cardigan that she has made for me. We walk the dogs round Williamson park and stop for lunch in the pavilion. The dogs share a sausage. We go home via the chemist to replenish supplies. Then home to the young man, feed him with lemsip and diaoralite.

Woke with a cracking headache and sore throat. Not happy. Paul is better than he was but still not well.

Monday not feeling well but I really wanted to attend the lithography induction. I dosed myself up and went in. It was really interesting and there are so many stages it is a good job I will be assisted at each stage. Because there are so many stages an chemicals involved a technition has to be present. I’ve taken lots of photos and put them in my media file.

Tuesday too unwell to go in. I tried to read but couldn’t because of the glasses!

Wednesday took paul to Salford university for his interview. Not fit to drive so we went by train the journey was easy and the station is less than 5 minutes from the building his interview was in. Lovely building friendly staff and the students were happy to be there. Paul’s interview lasted over an hour when he said they had been discussing what the university could offer him and suggesting he attended an open day I guessed he will be offered a place. They said UCAS will be updated tomorrow. I collected my new glasses with the corrected prescription in when we got back to Lancaster, at last I can see!!!

Thursday collected some clay from the workshop I decided to do some practice bowls clay is quite dry and firm making it difficult to manipulate easily. I tried making small slabs and pressing my lino cut into them they are interesting but I could do with putting them through the slab press. I think it will work. I made a coiled pot the lino doesn’t press into that at all so I’ve just decorated it with my leaf patterns. It looks ok. I will let it dry and sand off the rough bits next week. Have to leave early for another Drs appointment. My BP is still high apparently they don’t do the 24 hour reading any more I have to call into reception whenever I get the chance and take it with the machine. Does that reduce stress?? Bloods also taken.

Friday arranged to meet a friend I haven’t seen for a while. Lots of chat and coffee consumed. Journey worked out for Saturday to Birmingham school of art. Thankfully John has decided to come.

Saturday  a very long day. Alarm bells!! They don’t  want to look at Paul’s portfolio  as he has enough  cat points.  I’m  not very impressed with  the tutor  and the building  is unsuitable  for someone  with any kind of disability,  I don’t  think Paul will cope with it.  We have a good  chat about it neither Paul or John are impressed so that’s a no dispite the offer of an unconditional place.

Family visiting so a long leisurely lunch out followed by coffee and photos. Dungeons and Dragons after my character survived another battle.

I went into the print studio to print my 2 plate etching.

Second print on cartridge paper didn’t work very well not enough tooth to hold the ink but did help with measuring the plates. The size difference removed from the larger plate

Third print on fabriano 250gm this is a almost peachy colour paper with a nice tooth

Decided to go to The Lady Lever Gallery as they have a Matisse exhibition on. I love the bright colours, the pictures on display were mostly from his later work art with scissors and coloured paper, done after he became disabled, Lithographic copys. I love the fact that his GP told him he should wear dark glasses to avoid damaging his eyes with the bright colours. Number 1 blue nude was my favourite nude.

Off to Carlisle today Paul’s interview number 3. Full day we were given a talk with slides by one of the tutors then a tour with two of the students (brother and sister) the facilities are good and everyone very friendly.  Paul offered a place. Drove home in horrendous rain.Interview number  4 at UCLAN again the interview went well Paul offered a place weather good so the drive home was good we went via the A6 and Planks Kitchen. we had  to empty the bathroom and remove the flooring ready for a new floor to be put down tomorrow. I didn’t know we had so much stuff in the ‘little room’.No chance to have a sleep in, we have to be up just incase the carpet fitters arrive early which of cause they didn’t.  Went through my photos and reading.  now my eyes hurt.

Saturday off to life drawing excellent morning we did 3 x 20 minuite drawings then had a break befor doing our long image. I was pleased with my long image (2nd attempt) , all went well untill the model fell off the table!

We had lunch at the full house noodle bar, then home collected our gym stuff and went to the gym. we did a full round of the machines before going home again. Later John and I went to see Emma at the cinema it made me smile.

Sunday John not well, we all gorged on star treck! I did a little reading on ceramics I really want to know how to throw a pot.

Monday in the print room I decided to make the sky colours lighter and continue with the fabriano. by accident we have descovered a new way of adding the second plate the first plate is removed and the second plate placed on top of the paper then run through the press this indents the plate into the paper making it easier to keep the registration when the plate and paper are turned over and run through the press a second time.

Monoprint of my fields commenced