DE-INSTALLING

So all too soon it was time to take it down. It was thankfully a lot quicker to pack up and move than to put in. Hopefully Drift will have a life beyond this and be recycled into another artwork. However this is what it ingloriously looked like before being tidied and stored.

Now I guess its the big post-show anti-climax before moving on to the next project. Currently that is to be a residency at a department of psychiatry at a local hospital.

FITTING IT ALL IN

It's that old thing. You either have the time or the money, rarely both. When this residency was first mooted the year was looking like a desert road - long and empty. Now, in the midst of it things are leaping out, rearing up out of nowhere. For a start you can wipe 2 weeks out the calendar for xmas and new year. A couple of weeks after that i was in Cromarty helping my partner installing some work and the opening of her exhibition. Then i have just returned from a mercy mission to Spain. In amongst all this I am trying to complete the compilation of the book i took on when the waygood got delayed. So where does this fit in. Well, thankfully now it moves closer to the top of the list. Whilst not at the studio it is pretty much on my mind. Which is good. However it is also frustrating. Just before spain i had intended to go into the studio. However, I was unbelievably snowed in again. The second time this winter. How often does that happen in these days of global warming. Oh yeah and in amongst it all you have all the mundane life maintenance stuff to do. Sounding like a whinging pom its time to stop.

Studio Virgin

I have a workshop at home which I am totally comfortable working in. It's in an old stable with a 3/4 wall and a horse in the stall next door. It's also definitely more of a summer space than a winter one, though i have just rendered it waterproof. A timely occurence given the grey skies and relentless rain. As a space it's versatile, doesn't matter if it gets dirty, well ventilated for resin work and other toxic substances. A studio though,white, pristine, empty. And what's more is....I have never worked in a studio before. I am unfamiliar in it's shape and form. It is uncomfortably empty. I am a hoarder, a filler of space with junk, trinkets, things which may come in handy. So how am I going to work in it? How will I make the most of the opportunity? I hope the hows and the whats do not render me the rabbit in the headlights. How do I make it mine (or the part of it which is mine as i am to share with George for the duration....the space is ample enough to accomodate two easily). Already nearly a month is gone and christmas looms. Due to the delays i took on another project...compiling and editing a book which has eaten in to the available time. Also i live nearly 40 miles from the studio which is another consideration. However that rural -urban split may well be a source of inspiration.

THE WAYGOOD SITUATION

About two months ago I was fortunate enough to be offered a studio space at Waygood Studios in Newcastle. Along with this offer came rent a rent free space for 6 months and a small budget. The budget maybe small but the studio is huge, as is the opportunity. Along with the studio comes Joe and Tony who will be mentoring me during my time at Waygood. As with a lot of things in the art world things got delayed a tad, but as of 13th November I am in. The only problem now is what to do.

I would not be in this position if it were not for Vici at Arcadea who offered me the space after Waygood had approached her. So thanks Vici.