This past week has been the most stressful of my course so far. It started off ok, but then I had a one to one with my tutor about my research paper, to discuss the draft I had submitted a few weeks ago. In reality she probably gave me some helpful tips, as to how I might bring my offering up to scratch, but what I heard was that it is crap and I need to start again. Since then I have been paralyzed with stress (the paper is due in 3 weeks), which I have sought to remedy by eating my feelings, which is a shame because I had just joined WW again and had lost .4lb (which I initially thought was 4lbs and some paper-writing-stress weight loss miracle). Worse still, I have hit a dead-end with my paintings, and have only scratched out a few drawings.
When I reach a painting dead-end, there’s only one thing for it, I have to stop for a while, so I can then start anew with fresh eyes/ideas. Thankfully, this week proved to be the perfect time to stop, as I have to make a collage for an upcoming exhibition. Collaging is one of the most comforting things in the world, next to jigsawing with my Ma, so while I’ve been all stressed and scoffing, I have been cutting bits of paper and sticking them together, which in and of itself has been an absolute delight.
The collage “Ellan Vannin” (Manx for Isle of Man), is for the Home exhibition at the Manx Museum in November. I made the original collage a few years ago, but before putting it altogether I scanned the individual sections, so I can print and re-cut/construct it at will. This one will be larger than the original, and is printed on thick matte paper, which will hopefully allow me to suspend the finished collage from the ceiling.
I have a new friend, Ham-cat – a feral black cat who lives in the hedge. Only my fella has seen him, but I have been leaving him ham, so I’m sure we’ll be best-buds soon. I am thrilled little Ham-cat has come along, as I’ve always wanted a cat. I am also very grateful, as this summer we saw a few “long-tails” (it’s bad luck to say the R-word on the Isle of Man, and if you hear it said or accidently say it yourself, then you have to pat your head and whistle to avert the bad luck), so hopefully Ham-cat will keep them under control.
bexODESSA 