Wisdom and kindness

​The last couple of weeks has seen me working in my studio as the next important date in my calendar is the Summative Assessment of my practical work to date which will be presented as an exposition that will be on show at Grays from the 16th to the 20th January.

To help me focus on the task in hand I met with my personal tutor David Blyth. As always he shared his pearls of wisdom and made sure that I was on track for both this exposition, my dissertation and finally my Masters Show. The borrow of a book (Image Music Text by Roland Barthes) and the gift of Kodak bellows camera sweetened the meeting further.

When I mentioned to David how inspired I had been by his recommendation to look at the work of Robert Callender his friend and colleague Printmaker Cameron Ross interjected his same love for the artists work. Cameron talked also of  his privileged meeting with Robert and his wife the artist Elizabeth Ogilvie at their West Sutherland bothy and studio.

Cameron also gave me the name of beachcomber Rick Drake to investigate. Drake not only collects but endevours to find the owner of the treasure he finds!

When I left David it was with sadness because my time at Grays will end far too soon. My journey to date has enriched me exponentially. Friendships, knowledge, inspiration and the gift of making again. However at least my studio practice will continue when I graduate next year as I have more ideas than can be made in time for my Masters Show.