Back to (Art) School

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Last year I did a foundation year in art and design - these programmes are designed to prepare you for art school, and our college has the reputation of it being a similar experience to the first year of art school. I signed up wanting to develop my creative working practices, but wasn't really thinking about doing a degree.

Part of the way through, when the art school interview process started, it was hard. It was tempting to get in a victim headspace, whining about not being able to go to art school, listing the barriers. And yes, there are barriers, but they are not insurmountable. The truth is, I hadn't had any intention of going, I don't think it's the right thing for me at this point, and the choice is mine. It is easy to get caught up in things, whether the excitement of others or the sad stories you spin yourself when you're tired, stressed or otherwise low.

What I did instead was resolve to keep my creative practice going rather than collapsing in a heap at the end of the year. Well, I did that first! And I applied for a course run by the same college, called professional practice for artists. It's part-time, two days a week, with an expected full day a week of independent work. It should be pretty interesting. Fridays will be creative, studio or field based work; yesterday we took sketchbooks of mixed and reclaimed, repurposed papers to the British Museum. Saturdays focus on the professional side, the business really; things like websites, showing work to galleries, organising exhibitions, etc.

I have to head out in 15 minutes for that, so think of me while you have a lazy Saturday morning. I'll share some British Museum drawings later on.

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The Concept of Self

This is a concept that has been on my mind for months now. Arguably, 'self' is on everyone's mind most of the time, from the time we are small and shouting "mine!" through an adulthood of carefully managing image and self-image. Ironically, the journey to shed self-absorption can only be travelled through a degree of self-reflection.

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I think we spend a lot of time thinking about who we are, about who people think we are, about the sides of ourselves we want to hide. Living online brings this to the fore as well, whether you use an alias or your full name, an avatar or your photo, and the 'voice' and details you choose to share. It's uncomfortable thinking for someone who is seeking authenticity, as I know many of us are.

This isn't a crisis or a storm. It is a quiet question, a gazing, a path to wander along. I am the choices I make, but I am not my preferences, opinions and internal chatter. I am not my hair (great song by the way, check it out), or my clothes, although those choices tell you a little a bit who I want to be, maybe. I'm looking forward to getting to know me a little better. 

Tools for the expedition into the interior:

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