ENAMEL EXPERIMENTS

 Digital and screen printed transfers together with raku fired enamel.

We all have photograph albums that contain relatives with long lost identities, I am fascinated by these people who had lives and personalities but we will never know who they are.

I AM SO PROUD!

Passing out at Sandhurst August 2012, as a friend said to me, 'a proud button busting moment for us all', well done Jack!

ENAMEL EXPERIMENTS

 These wall pieces combine digital transfers and screen printed transfers with

 etched copper and

 pocket watch parts.

A DAY IN THE SHED

 Back in the shed and phew, I can still make collagraphs.

 Of course the studio foreman kept me at it, Henry knows how to make you feel guilty if there is slacking.

 10" x 8", 'Home Sweet Home', a collagraph made from Polyfilla, glue and card.

 30" x 17", 'On Time', a collagraph using carborundum, Polyfilla, card and glue,

with a little added something.

HOME ALONE

It's official, I am now making work again

 I am playing with several ideas at once, designing doll brooches.

 Raku firing copper moths

 and exploring my stash of pocket watch cases.

 And then ...

 there is the cutlery.

Deep breath, relax and enjoy the making, well this is my mantra, it has more class than, 'Don't panic Mr Mainwaring!!!'

IF IN DOUBT... DRAW

So in fear of thinking too much I have spent the day drawing.

 Pre prepared sketch book pages mean I do not have white page fear.

 Drawing with white acrylic then washing ink on top leads to happy accidents.

 Gold and pewter ink adds twinkle and iridescence.

Ideas are beginning to bubble through with the act of drawing, if I sit and think anxiety is my reward, sit and draw and all is right with the world.

How does drawing make you feel?

EXTREME ENAMEL

It's never too late to experiment with new processes and on the last studio day at UWE I got to grips with raku enamel.

 It had all the elements that gets the blood rushing, spontaneity,experimentation and FIRE!!

 And out of the ashes comes the most exquisite iridescence.

 It is hard to show photographically the wonderful effects that can be created by this process,

 but I think that it is just possible to see the metallic glimmers of gold, pearl

 and petrol blue.

Ideal for a bit of a beetle. Etched copper, pocket watch case and brooch pin...nice!