FMP - Exhibition Week

Everything was finished in time for the exhibition - including a few last touches to my back board and space. Let me tell you, it turns out that Velcro is a wonderful thing, and double sided sticky tape if related to the anti-Christ (Maybe a third cousin, twice removed?). I tried to stick my pictures (and some paper) to my painted boards, and the double sided sticky was having none of it; Not even glue was working! And you can never have enough glue. So I used Velcro instead - and not only does the stuff stick, its reposition able, which for me, Queen of the wonky lines, was a godsend.



Anyway, opening night went spectacularly, apart from my late appearance due to traffic. It was a pleasure to be at, attending my space, if not for the people visiting. I have never done anything so embarrassing in my life. I usually sit before a screen and let people say what they like about what I draw. While no one said anything bad, I was beet red for most of the night, feeling awkward. It was easy to talk about my work, but at the same time, mildly mortifying.



Another thing I'd like to note - I originally placed a box, rather square and sturdy, for my ceramics to sit on, positioned away from the very edge. However after a discussion with my tutor, I used two slender plinths after, moved forward so that the ceramics would have a back drop of black. Worst mistake ever. It looks fantastic, don't get me wrong, but I've spent the week fretting over them falling over with people brushing past, or my ceramics getting knocked off and broken. I should have devised a perspex screen or something to shield them.

Other than that, it's been pretty uneventful.

Week before the exhibition

Okay - it's been another two week gap, but this one literally is because I can't seem to find the time. I haven't stopped, for two weeks.

My head, it spins.

So its been set up basically, which means putting everything together, getting covered in black paint and staining my hands brown with tea. Oh, and a note to self - don't paint the floor of my space first next time. I can't reach the corners of my walls if I do that...

I've spent several days working none stop to get my back boards painted and stained, and my mural has come together rather well, regardless of the fact I despise the back ground. Digital projectors, like many pieces of technology are an idiotic waste of time (Note the exception to the rule: A graphics tablet's for life, not just for Christmas). I've had to re-adjust it so many times that I'm sure none of the back ground actually matches up. Next time I'm going old school and using an OHT projection. at least then you have more control.

I will admit, I hated my mural, right up until the point where I started adding water colours to it, and then, in the space of a few minutes it grew on me (probably because the back ground was obscured). And I have taken great pleasure in causing many a teacher to wince, as I took a lighter to my work. Another nifty note: my college's smoke alarms don't go off if you set paper on fire. Turpentine on the other hand is another thing entirely. But it seems as though everything's been coming together. I've even got some fully completed pieces. I shall admit guiltily that several I wanted complete aren't going to be, unfortunately. Though I will probably complete them in my own time after the project.

All that's left to do is finish off some of my sketchbook work, print out the completed digital's, and mount everything on Monday and fix it to the wall.

All... she says like its nothing...

Wish me luck. The examiners in on Wednesday, and I shall be having anxiety attacks until then. For now, enjoy some finished art.