Gosh, it’s been ages since I’ve sat at a computer and done something other than, changing my CV, doing a PowerPoint presentation, doing artist research or printing out the millions of pictures to go into my sketchbooks and reflective log. So this feels a little weird!

So this looks like one of the only few blogs that i will be doing, since this is coming to an end. So with inspiration that this is the end, i have used my artistic skills and done a display of pictures taken throughout the year (i only hope that it works). This has studio pictures, sketchbook pictures and some that were taken recently when doing a placement in the V&A in London. (see below)

I know that I haven’t been a regular blogger but in Art and Design the action starts now, in the run up to the Masters show which is happening in September. This semester will be the most action packed and stressful of the year. The work is almost decided on design, with a few tweaking touches, but its the extras that will take control like portfolio, business cards and postcards, promotional packages, power points, plinths and after all this pile plus more the final show. As far as stress levels go we will all be really stressed out.

All that being said, I’ve actually enjoyed this year so far, being on the Ma is very different to the Ba, in a good way, it’s more self directed learning with tutors input now and then. It’s certainly made me more organised with my time because they demand far more work and effort to be put in, and dividing time between practical 3D making and written work has been a challenge, but has made me a far more efficient person.

My last comment has to be i hope that everyone reading this blog entry get the grades that they want from this semester. And good luck to those of you who still have another year or two left, its a challenge but you will get to the end soon.

Hi Folks!! Hope your all well?

Well!!! What a busy time of the year! So much to do, and not enough time to do it.

As well as all the making work I’ve got an essay/artist statement to do, and I’ve got to find myself a placement, pronto!!

And what makes all of this worse is that I am recovering from a cold. So this past week I’ve tried many lotions and potions to get rid of it. I’m not one for being ill and I’ll work through it most of the time, but this time it felt like I’d got a rock concert going on in my head constantly for 3 days, as well as the runny nose and sore throat.

And I’ve been called into work a few times, which is good because it’s extra money, but it cuts down on my time with some of my other modules.

Oh and I’ve finished the 505 test tiles I need for this semester. Yep you heard me right 505!!! I don’t know what possessed me to do that many, but I have had some really nice results, so hopefully, if I ever get the chance, some of them will be on to my actual work soon enough.

My house currently is an absolute mess! My folks have decided that they want to redecorate our downstairs floor, pretty much at the same time. So everywhere is filled with obstacles, I feel like I’m getting a workout going from one end of the room to the other. It will all look great when it’s done; it’s just the mess in-between that is a pain.

This time last year me and the family were in New York celebrating Thanksgiving, shopping and watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. This year it’s more low key, which is nice, but there’s something in the pit of my stomach which makes me feel like we should all be there this year :(     

On the plus side I’m saving to go back, although at this rate and my saving record it might be at least another 10 years before I make it.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hi. I’m Liz. Elizabeth, formally but I’ve never been too formal. The only person who calls me Elizabeth is my Dad, but that’s normal for parents to do that right??? The only other time I’m called Elizabeth is when I’ve done something wrong, which isn’t that often anymore!

I’m a new Masters student and earlier this year I finished my final year of a degree in Design and Applied Arts, in Ceramics. That’s right I’m a potter, in the sense that I sit at a wheel, making jugs and mugs and things. This past 3 years has certainly been stressful and tough trying to juggling uni and work. Oh yea, forgot to mention that I work weekends in retail, what keeps me there is that the people are nice and it pays!

To add to all of that, I’m a student who still lives at home with the folks, which can be great, except on those one off days where I really wish I had considered living in Halls of residence or a shared house. But the parents are really supportive and give me the freedom to come and go as I please. With us lives my two sisters, younger of course, which is why I love being back at uni, I escape the arguing!

But back to Uni Business...

When I applied to uni I didn’t know what I wanted to do, so I picked a course which gave me the chance to try out a few different areas of Art and Design. Ceramics and glass were my favourites, and the facilities that they have are amazing, but in 2^nd year I decided to specialise in Ceramics, since I was slightly better at it.

The last 3 years have been the best and worst of my life so far. The best because of the people I have met and made friends with, they will be true friends for life. But the worst because I am so unorganised and used to leave everything till last minute, so at assessment time, you can imagine the panic!

The masters programme is going to allow me to perfect my craft, learn more about art and also find out where my work fits in to the ‘art world’. But while all of the above is great, I’m also so unbelievably scared, I feel like I did when I was a fresher the first time. I’m going again onto a course where I know very few people, but I like to meet new people and make new friends so it’s not all bad.

I’m so pleased that I passed my degree and came out with an ok grade, I just feel that if I had of worked a little harder I could have achieved the grade I wanted. Thankfully the uni have accepted me for the next chapter of my student life. This year I’m sure will bring tears tantrums and lots of entertainment.

Watch this space…