Looking forwards

​Having a full-time job and studying at the same time means that I have to be focused working consistently every Friday towards my Masters so that I am not overwhelmed by the workload. It is not long till our final show and I am now beginning to feel the pressure to produce quality finished works. On top of that I also have the dissertation to contend with. To date I have been reading texts and collecting quotes.

So it frustrated me very much that the weather this weekend was inclement as I had planned to take photographs with my new/old 35mm stereoscopic camera. I decided instead to launch my first 'message in a bottle' of 2017.

Saturday morning saw me revisiting the location of my 'lost' film with my ski friend Andrew Jackson. Andrew has been guiding me each Tuesday evening at Condor dry ski slope; my biggest problem being that I look down and not forwards! To reach the shoreline there is first a steep incline up the dunes. At the top of which you are rewarded by a panoramic elemental coastal fury of sound and space. Who said that living out of the town was the quiet option! They are not listening!

Today the sea was very angry with waves aplenty crashing onto the beach forcing us to navigate further inland. It was clear that a bottle launching would also have to be abandoned.

My normality when I visit the beach is to locate the tide line then look down and search for treasure. Today however so as not to be rude I purposely looked upwards and forwards, enjoying the view and the company of my friend.

On the return journey we investigated an abandoned house that has interested me. I have been desperate to go inside but a little afraid to do it by myself. Surprisingly it was the reverse of Dr Who's Tardis giving the illusion of looking larger on the outside. I fell in love instantly with the interior of this unloved and empty carcass that yielded delicious textures, colours and clues to it last tenants. Without a doubt I will be returning with my camera.

So it seems that my weekend has not been unfruitful as I am gifted yet again with a new viewpoint by my friend Andrew. He has reminded me that making is not just a physical response: it's about examining a number of perspectives beforehand then reflecting.
​