End of year two.. Beginning of year three..

As usual i've been tardy in making blog entries! I've been busy through spring and summer. I've learnt a lot this year including an introduction into the bronze pouring process. I've been experimenting with direct burn outs of 3D printed sculptures. As a whole, quite successful - could do with fine tuning and honing down.. But as an introduction - very impressed with the potential the process holds. The work is based around memorial. The sculptures are based on ancient egyptian 'Canonic Jars' which were believed to carry the viscera of the deceased to the afterlife. They would commonly feature the heads of the 'four sons of horus'. My design differs and features a dog and cats head which portray animal memorial. Potentially they could be used as urns for ashes or storage containers for keepsakes such as collars etc.

During my last term I managed to achieve my first, FIRST CLASS mark . I scored this within the professional practise module of the course. I've already started with the upcoming years enterprise module and organised a work placement with #SPLATCYMRU. I'm really exited to be working with them.. They are an art and design based company who work with adults and children to provide creative learning through various art and design activities. You can find them here - http://splatcymru.co.uk

Update 2015

A very over due welcome to my 2015 blog! I've been really busy with lots of new commissions and university projects!

I'm close to completion on the ' Kidwelly industrial cat' which i've been working on for the past few months now.. It has already been to it's first exhibition in January at Swansea Grande Theatre. There is another showing of the same exhibition 'Menagerie Gwyllt' at 'The Gate' in St. Clears in May, if you missed the one at Swansea. After that, the cat will be on display at Kidwelly Industrial Museum. The museum is where i drew the initial inspiration for the project. I took inspiration from the shapes and machinery as well as the traditional fabrication methods which would have been used there during the height of the tinplate industry. It's a really interesting site - and entry is FREE! I've been working on this as part of my Interpretive project for university. I've been experimenting with collage, different fabrication techniques and placement ideas.

In other news, I've been learning how to cast using the 'lost wax' method. Im currently studying for a creative project about animal memorial and will be casting various items in bronze.

I'm also nearing the end of my second year in university.. (Where did it go?!) I'm hugely optimistic for year three and have plenty more interesting things in the pipe line! Also - I will try my hardest to keep my blog up to date! Watch this space!

Workshops..

So i've been living in the workshop for the past week! Getting back into everything and getting the hang of all the machinery again. I actually ended up buying myself a little ARC welder to use at uni and home.. always comes in handy when others are using the equipment or i want to do a personal project at home! My sculpture is coming along great, really starting to come together.. Sorry! No sneaky peaks - you'll have to wait until the exhibition.. Which we've now set our first date for - from the 22nd January to the 31st at Swansea Grand Theatre. Also got back into using Zbrush today, i've only used it once or twice before but it's really interesting and i'm enjoying just having a play with it. I downloaded it's sister program 'Sculptris' which is just as good for beginners! For anyone that doesn't know, it's a 3D digital modelling program, which is handy for making maquettes before delving into your final material. Im lucky enough to be able to 3D print my work at a later stage as well, so watch this space for updates!

Day of the Dead

Jobs well campus celebrated day of the dead yesterday with an Iron pour. In addition to this there were all sorts of activities, stalls and promotions running. The sculpture department held the bake sale i previously mentioned to help raise money for next years exhibition. Minus costs i think we managed to raise about £100 which was a great kick off!! As well as the celebrations for day of the dead, we also had an open day, where colleges, schools and foundation students where invited to come and have a look around and try out some of the activities that would be on offer with a BA at Jobs well. I was asked by my lecturer Robert Harding to join the class and help him with the activities. It was a great opportunity to have a bit of teaching experience, as it's always been a job i'd considered for myself. Robert approached me at the end of the day and seemed to be very happy with my efforts with the other students. I've decided to apply to my previous school and see if they would be interested in offering me some work experience. As well as helping to guide the other students, i got stuck in myself and made a little scratch mould and a wire skull which you can see below. All in all, a great experience for everyone involved!

Sculpture Exhibition

As a part of my course, as a group we have to organise an exhibition of our work. We are currently looking for spaces to exhibit as well as sponsors. I've been a part of a small end of year show with Coleg Sir Gar in 2012.. This exhibition is really exiting for me. It's really made me think about my future and i can't wait to get stuck in. I've put myself forward to promote the event and produce advertising material. We are going to be holding a bake sale at a 'Day of the dead' Iron pour evening held at the college to raise funds for our exhibition. I'm looking forward to working with the rest of the sculptors, many of them seem to be quite enthusiastic. It's also quite interesting to be working with some already established artists and people who have put on shows previously, i feel like i will learn a lot!

Winner of RSPCA Calendar Competition

As encouraged by my lecturers, i've dipped my toe into the pool of projects and competitions. This is the first one I've entered. It was a competition to be featured in their 2015/2016 calendar. Our family previously rescued a dog from their Woodside Centre in Leicester in around 2002 so I entered an image of him and it was made a part of the final selection. It's now featured in the calendar and is available to buy from Woodside. All proceeds go towards the RSPCA centre to help care for the animals. As a winner my image was featured within the calendar with photo credit, a copy of the calendar and a canvas print of my image.

Returning to Study

Later on this month i will be returning back to study at Jobs well after a long 

absence due to illness. I'm glad to be back on track and i'm exited to get

stuck into some new projects! I'll be studying year two photography

and sculpture. I'm looking forward to being back in the studio where i belong! Watch

​this space for new projects, i'll keep you updated!