Low Residency – bexODESSA

Goodbye London, thanks for the chips and the raging allergy

CSM MFA - Progress Blog, Low Residency, project 1

Written – Friday, 17th March

Currently, I am sat in my hotel room, bag packed, watching breakfast telly, having just eaten my “I’m very poorly, I’ll eat what I want” breakfast, which consisted of a pot of chocolate pudding and a Bakewell tart. I will be heading to the airport soon, for what will either be a short trip home, or should the misfortune that befell my fella, befall me, a 3-day odyssey that will take me back and forth across the Irish Sea and a jaunty trip to Liverpool.

My body seems to be making a sterling effort of fighting whatever ails me, as I feel mildly better today. Unlike yesterday, which saw me getting progressively worse as the day wore on. I made the difficult, but ultimately wise decision not to attend the last day of class activities – i.e. visiting several art galleries together. I was disappointed I couldn’t go, as it was the day I was most looking forward to, but no one wants a moribund mucus-dripper for their art-viewing companion. Instead, I wandered the streets of London looking for the ghost of Mrs Quick.

Mrs Quick was the intended subject of my Interim Show painting that I was unable to finish in time for the show. Now the show is finished, I can resume my work on the painting, the start of which is research into her story. In short (I’ll write at length in another post), Mrs Quick died in the 1928 Thames flood, when her basement flat in Westminster became entirely submerged. Something about her story caught my attention and gave me the idea for my “Confluence” research project as a whole.

_{Mrs Quick – Acrylic on paper – test detail}

Anyway, I decided to walk to Westminster to see what I could find. To be honest, I didn’t find much save the street where she had lived and sadly died (the house long demolished and replaced), and the local pub she may well have frequented, and which I did (alone, in a corner, slathered in anti-bac). Post ghost-hunting, I made the mistake of catching a tube back to my hotel, which re-triggered my allergy, making my symptoms worse than ever, and leaving me utterly miserable for the rest of the day.

I think I’m allergic to London

CSM MFA - Progress Blog, Low Residency

I woke up feeling crap this morning, with a blocked nose, sore throat, and red, itchy eyes. It’s happened before when I’ve been in London, especially when travelling on the tubes that are deep underground, as I did yesterday when I went to the V&A. Either that or I have cold, though the itchy eyes leads me to assume it is the former. Hedging my bets, I traipsed to the 24hr supermarket at the crack of dawn and bought supplies, more for comfort than remedy.

Our in-person classes were cancelled today, on account of the tube and teacher strikes. Instead, we had an artist’s talk via zoom, though, unfortunately, the internet isn’t very good in my hotel room, so I could only listen to part of it, and couldn’t participate in the discussion. So, I took the opportunity to finish wrapping my painting, ready for the courier to collect tomorrow. Jonathan, our kind-hearted teacher, had a go wrapping it when he collected it from the exhibition, but let’s just say, we all have our strengths.

Because I didn’t have any classes for the rest of the day, I thought I better do something arty, so I went to a beautiful bookshop around the corner, and looked for books relevant to my research project about water. It’s been a while since I’ve spent time browsing in a bookshop (I mostly buy books on Amazon); what an absolute pleasure.

Next, I went in search of somewhere nice to have lunch and peruse my new books, stopping at a chemist on the way to buy some antihistamines. I came across a nice looking pub called the Norfolk Arms. Having just completed an application for an art residency in Norfolk, I thought it was a fortuitous sign. As I was peeping in the window, to see what it was like, a friendly old fella passing-by informed me that the food was lovely, so in I went. I’m so glad I did. I had a sublime afternoon, hocked-up on antihistamines, eating delicious food, and reading the introductions of my wonderful new books.

I faded by the time I got back to my hotel this afternoon, so I took a nap but didn’t sleep. For my evening activities, I took my parcel down to reception, went to the shop for more tissues, watched the Ramsey Town Commission meeting (that my fella was chairing), and wrote this post. Now I’m going to have a pot-noodle for tea, and sit in my bed and watch The Repair Shop. London, baby!

Vic & Albie’s knick knacks

CSM MFA - Progress Blog, Low Residency

Today our class visited the Victoria & Albert Museum. We were there for a talk and private viewing of items from the museum’s digital art collection. It is not my favourite type of art, but the woman who gave the talk was very engaging, which made viewing the work more enjoyable.

Afterwards, I had a wander around the museum, looking at all the beautiful objects on display. There were so many wonderful things to see. Here are a few of my favourite:

As beautiful as these things are, my absolute favourite was the iron work, some of which was the most exquisite I have ever seen.

I had a bit of a shock when I got back to the hotel. The day before I had sent my clothes out to be laundered. It was soon clear I had misunderstood the service, because what I got back was my scruffy, arty clothes on hangers, wrapped in the plastic, and my knickers neatly folded in a box, all for the eye-watering price of £63!

Speaking of knickers, before I had the bright idea of availing myself of the hotel laundry service, I decided to replenish my knicker stock at Morrisons, and was alarmed to discover that what I had bought was the biggest knickers I have ever seen. My fella got the shock of his life when he saw them, and asked why in god’s name was I wearing a leotard.

And speaking of my fella, I am pleased to say that he finally made it home, after his arduous three day journey of trying to get there.

I can now officially say “come up and see my etchings”

CSM MFA - Progress Blog, Low Residency

I had my first ever etching class today. It was very a different picture-making process for me, but I really enjoyed it. There are quite a few preparatory steps that go into making an etching, it’s messy and convoluted, but the final step of peeling back the piece of paper from the etching plate is deliciously satisfying and well worth the preceding effort.

It was also my first time at Central Saint Martins. I was quite stressed going there this morning, as I didn’t know the way. But once I got to Kings Cross Station, I just followed a group of scruffy looking people and hey-presto, there it was. It is very impressive, and must be amazing to attend on a daily basis for an entire degree, though, truth be told, I’d rather be in my little house by the sea. I did take some photos of CSM, but this one on the internet had a much better perspective.

Along with all the art schooly facilities, the campus has a selection of cafes, bars, and restaurants, one of which I frequented for lunch. My fella had told me off for only eating chips while on this trip, so I was sure to send him this photo to show him that today I added protein, fruit, and beans to my diet.

Speaking of my fella, would you believe that the poor soul is on his way back to the Tavistock Hotel AGAIN, having spent the past 6 hours at the airport waiting for his flight that never came. He is now beyond exhausted and stressed, and has vowed never to leave the Island again…that’s if he ever makes it back there. He will attempt the trip again tomorrow, this time taking a train to Liverpool and flying to the Island from there. He just messaged that he’s 6 minutes away, so I better get his Guiness in.

Endings and beginnings

CSM MFA - Progress Blog, Low Residency

Today I said goodbye to my fella. He returned to Isle of Man and I am continuing with the second half of my art school doings. At least I think my fella has returned to the Isle of Man, last I heard he was sitting on Gatwick runway with the pilot conveying his doubts as to the survivability of landing on the Island due to the perilous weather conditions. For all I know, he could be circling Ronaldsway Airport as I type.

_{Our farewell lunch at the Marlborough Arms, Bloomsbury}

Meanwhile, I am sitting in the bar of the Tavistock Hotel (a mere 10 minute walk from Central Saint Martins, where I am due to take classes next week) with a cocktail and a bowl of chips. I have eaten so many chips on the trip, that I’ll have to get my fella to extend my Weight Watchers subscription to 9 months. Also, I feel silly for making such a song and dance about not being a big drinker, when, on this trip, I have imbibed everyday. All I can say is, it is no small mercy I live in the woop woops, miles from a chippy or a drinking establishment.

I’ve just come back from a lovely afternoon of visiting the South London Art Gallery, in Camberwell, with my classmates. The New Contemporaries exhibition was on, which showcases new and emerging artists fresh from art school, or in their final year. It is something I could possibly apply for next year, so it was very inspiring to see the work on display. I especially liked the video work, some of the paintings, and a vibrantly decorated room-type installation.

After the gallery visit, we went to one of our classmate’s house for tea (read gin) and cake. It was nice having the chance to get to know everyone some more. Plus, our classmate has great taste in art books.

Well, the mystery of where my fella is has finally been solved, he’s on his way to the Tavistock Hotel, Bloomsbury. Apparently, the plane was in the process of landing at Ronaldsway, but pulled up at the last minute, and flew back to Gatwick. My poor fella sounded very forlorn in his messages, so I comforted him with a story about a similar situation that took place in Ireland a few years ago, where the pilot attempted to land in bad weather, took his chances and everybody died. I’m not sure if it made him feel better about his situation, but I am sure glad he is coming to stay with me and not the Queen.

_{Header image: Feather Bear – Paola Pivi (from Feelings book above)}