Hi fellow exchangers,

I have been watching the recent blogs with excitement to see the range of work that will soon arrive in Phoenix, and I feel very lucky to be travelling to USA to help hang as I will get to unpack and look at the work up close. It’s going to be an amazing show of great diversity and energy.

I was able to finally focus on making my own work over Easter because I teach full time: it’s been so frustrating but fulfilling to make sand moulds, pour iron and crack the process for enamelling a different material. My work was poured alongside 600 pounds of iron by CSG BA Sculpture department….

 

 

in exchange for a few beers,

The moulds poured more or less fine with a few air pockets that I have managed to fill with industrial iron undercoat which is very forgiving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My results vary in success and my kitchen has had to double as a studio which has brought all attempts at cooking to a standstill: my family will be relieved when time runs out for that last minute firing as will the cats, guinea pig and my daughter’s tadpoles that vie for space on the kitchen table!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I continued to develop my coal mining theme but work has become more abstract because of exploring layering through multiple firings. I  wondered if any of you have also had no time to reflect on a new body of creative thought and physical endeavor? This show has been instrumental in keeping my practice focused on enamel and I have some important ideas about how to arrange my ‘dream’ studio next year – and navigate part time work!

I wish everyone great success for the exhibition, Cath