Working on other parts of the course

I've been working on the written part of the course over the past few days - this is partly to get it done but also because I am having 'work' done on my house and I can't get into my studio or find any of my art materials.  The written part is a Road Map planning out my next three years which I anticipate will be working in both UK and Australia. 

I've also started to update my website Lesley Peat Visual Artist uploading new photographs and rewriting the existing text.

Australia and back

It's been quite an interesting couple of months - I went to Australia (Adelaide) via Hong Kong.  In Auz I stayed with my family and did all sorts of things to do with them.  A small bit of sketching and pastels as we were so busy with packing for a house move, Christmas and New Year, parties and visiting friends, a visit to Coffin Bay on holiday and in general having a great time. 

Sadly during my visit my mother in law Elsie died (2 Jan) at the age of 90 after five years of declining health.  When I returned, it was to the funeral and interrment arrangements and clearing her flat with my lovely sister in law Connie (who came over from Sydney).  

Plays and entertainments

I decided to see more plays etc locally and in London.  Saw Importance of Being Ernest with Connie at the Old Rep in Brum and then Backbeat (which was so so) in London with her.  Pitmen Painters at Belgrade in Coventry was excellent although the background noises (eg pit, train etc) were horrendously loud.  The highlight has been One Man, Two Govnors with James Corden at The New Alexandra in Birmingham - a cross between a comedia de'l'arte with James as the Harlequin, a 60s farce, a pantomime and I don't know what else - I've not laughed so much in ages.  This is one of the reviews of the London production which actually sums up the Brum one http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/may/25/one-man-two-guvnors-review  A really funny moment was James asking the audience for a sandwich (he was hungry) and getting a response "I've got one if you want it ..."  James then explains that the whole premise of the following action is that he should remain hungry ... but "what kind of sandwich is it?"  as he contemplates what he should do ... the response "humus" enables him to decide - no!   If this was a plant (as were some others) it was a very funny one which went down extremely well with the locals!
Off tonight to see Journey's End at Belgrade - one that I've read about before but never had the opportunity to see. 
Oh, also went to see A Midsummer Night's Dream at Stratford.  Not sure about the theatre but play excellent and, again, very funny.

Back to University

I've done what I said I would and produced a number of collagraphs to start printing up at uni.  I've had my first tutorial with Stuart Whipps for my final module and he has said okay to do the processing but I need to underpin it with context.  I am currently thinking about the things that I return to again and again for this.  My programme needs to be uploaded by Fri 14 Oct so only a week to get that sorted.

In the meantime, and what I've been doing since my last post, my mother-in-law has been extremely ill in Milton Keynes - spent her 90th birthday in hospital so my sister-in-law is over from Australia; and a long time friend has died very sadly after a three year illness.  I've also been to London, to Hartlepool and to Anglesey for holidays.  Had a new bathroom and loo and have had a bit of a Stanley Spencer fix going to Sandham and Cookham and again to Compton Verney to see the garden paintings which on balance turn out to be his lesser works albeit very interesting.

Trying to up my photographic skills so am doing an evening course based at the Botanical Gardens. 

Summer Holidays!

The main thing this summer is a visit from my Auzzie family which is half-way through ... having a great time being a tourist going to the London Eye, to the Natural History Museum (dinosaurs), to Warwick Castle, The Black Country Living Museum etc.  My granddaughter particularly wanted to go to see Westminster Abbey and I think we were all 'blown away' by its history and majesty.  Definitely worth another look in the winter when there are fewer tourists (what are we if not that?)

Went to the Compton Verney private view for Stanley Spencer & Capability Brown summer exhibitions at which Sir Roy Strong gave a very good speech.  Planning to go to the SS museum in Cookham to see Spencer's War - the Art of Shipbuilding on the Clyde with friend Catherine.  We are also due to go to the RA Summer Exhibition at the end of the month - this will be my first time there.

While in London with the family, nipped in to the National Portrait Gallery - 20th century portraits always interesting - particularly how the artist has interpreted the sitter.  Saw the BP Portrait Award but was rather puzzled by the overall winner.  Good standard otherwise.

Aims for summer - some holiday - Art in Action at Waterperry Gardens - Creative Collagraphs course at RBSA (prepare something for next RBSA selection panel) - Festival of Quilts at NEC - more photographs - learn how to use new camera - prepare for L6 final year at BCU.

Oh yes, I have pharyngitis so haven't been able to speak for a week ... two more to go apparently!

Computers bah!

I've spent all of Sunday migrating my computer to a new version of Windows .... and I think now (18.00 on Monday) I've just about got things where they need to be.  This is not withstanding the problems of receiving emails ... which I need to leave to visit a friend in hospital.  She was just walking the dog this morning on the field, stepped awkwardly and ended up with a broken ankle.  So - sorry if you are expecting an email from me and haven't got it yet!

I will try again manyana ....