January

I often find myself thinking about time;
how time flies,
how I need more time,
how precious time is,
how time can go fast but also slow,
how to make better use of time,
how we know when is the right time,
how much time is worth,
how we measure time
and so on.

I've been feeling the pressure to be productive, fill my time and avoid wasting time.

Book challenge - Day 6

I have accepted a challenge to post seven books that I love, one book a day, no exceptions, no reviews, just covers. Let’s promote literacy and a book list. 📚 💕

Day 6

Book challenge - day 5

I have accepted a challenge to post seven books that I love, one book a day, no exceptions, no reviews, just covers. Let’s promote literacy and a book list. 📚 💕

Day 5

Book challenge - Day 4

I have accepted a challenge to post seven books that I love, one book a day, no exceptions, no reviews, just covers. 

Day 4

The NewBridge Writers' Group - Session 1 - Where are you now?

Last night was the first NewBridge Writing Workshop session. The 10-week writing workshop has been created specifically for those who have not previously had a formal education or experience in writing (e.g. a university programme) but who are committed to developing their writing skills and also building an understanding of how to get published. 

Dr Alex Lockwood (author of the nonfiction book The Pig in Thin Air, and the 2019 novel The Chernobyl Privileges, shortlisted for The Rubery Prize) has instigated the series, but will be mentoring and supporting me and one of the other participants to facilitate the group.

Of the 10 sessions in the programme, 5 will be spent looking at the Working Class Writer’s Plan (developed by North East writer Carmen Marcus, in conjunction with the Bookseller magazine) to help those taking part build a community of contacts, fellow writers and performers in the North East and beyond. The other 5 sessions will be devoted to other  creative exercises.

Session 1 was an introduction to the group and the introductory session of the Writers' Plan - Where are you now?

As is traditional in these kinds of scenarios, (a group of relative strangers meet each other for the first time) we began with an icebreaker. 

















- The group stands round a table on which a bowl of water and a box of extra long matches have been placed
- One member of the group strikes a match from the box, and has to tell a story that lasts as long as the flame from the match

Some stories ended prematurely - Stories are valuable
Some stories prompted other stories - Stories are contagious

Writing Plan

Exercise 1 - My Writing Family Tree

Create a map to illustrate your life journey with stories

Where did/do I encounter stories? e.g. books, radio, people, writing groups, television

Who told/tells you the stories? e.g. parents, friends, teachers

Exercise 2 - Why Do You Want to Write?

Who are you writing for? 

What are your favourite books?

What do your favourite authors do that impresses you?




Exercise 3 - The Research Years

Column 1 - List of the jobs you've ever done



Column 2 - List a selection of the wondrous and strange experiences you've had



Column 3 - List your values

Book challenge - Day 3

I have accepted a challenge to post seven books that I love, one book a day, no exceptions, no reviews, just covers. Each day I will ask a friend to take up the challenge. Let’s promote literacy and a book list. 📚 💕

Day 3

Book challenge - day 2

I have accepted a challenge to post seven books that I love, one book a day, no exceptions, no reviews, just covers.

Day 2

Book challenge - day 1

I have accepted a challenge from my friend Stacey to post seven books that I love, one book a day, no exceptions, no reviews, just covers. Let’s promote literacy and a book list. 📚 💕

Day 1

Introduction to Art Licks, currently in residence at The NewBridge Project

Last night's event at The NewBridge Project was a chance to meet Holly Willats, founder and Director of Art Licks, and hear her introduce the new project that she has just begun with The NewBridge Project. 

Holly began by giving a potted history of the life of Art Licks, and introduced us to it's various facets.


After graduating with an English Degree from Newcastle University, Holly returned to London and began working in a commercial Gallery. She wanted to meet artists, talk ideas, and see non-commercial art, but felt frustrated about how difficult it was to find information about artist-led galleries and art networks. Her response was to establish Art Licks. It began, in 2010, as a website listing the exhibitions and events happening in London at artist run spaces, project spaces, galleries, collectives, curatorial groups and non-profit galleries and organisations.

In it's 10-year history, Art Licks has expanded

"to provide an essential platform and voice for the lesser-known and under-represented activities that form the grassroots of visual culture in London. Art Licks exists as a website, tours, printed magazine, learning programme, commissioning programme and annual London-wide festival: the Art Licks Weekend, all supporting the work of artists at a critical early stage in their careers, providing the situation to create new networks & audiences. This has become vital given the financial pressures on UK-based artists with increased costs of living, lack of studio provision & competitive funding streams."

For 2020, Art Licks are carrying out a new project for its printed magazine: producing three issues from different cities across the country, starting with Newcastle.

This trilogy of Art Licks magazine aims to explore the varying practices and artist communities across the country: their entrepreneurial methods of collaboration, structures of support, adventurous programming and tactics for sustainability. Based from Newcastle, Birmingham, and Bristol; with host partners The NewBridge Project, Recent Activity, and east bristol contemporary.

Newcastle is the first of the three cities to host Holly, and conversations sparked during the three-week residency at The NewBridge Project will form the basis of the magazine. Rebecca Huggan, director of The NewBridge Project, will guest co-edit the magazine.

Holly and Rebecca had a few prompts and questions to get the group thinking and talking about what we would like the Newcastle Art Licks to include.

To follow the project blog with updates from Newcastle visit

http://blog.artlicks.com/art-licks-trilogy-newcastle-introduction/

I'm looking forward to talking more with Holly and seeing how the project develops.

Red/pink chevlons

marginendeavour progress with Eyesore

Checking in

The agony of weekend loneliness - Paula Cocozza in The Guardian

To all those who spend the weekend on their own, you are not alone. 

Please read this article.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jan/16/the-agony-of-weekend-loneliness-i-wont-speak-to-another-human-until-monday?CMP=share_btn_link

To all those who spend their weekends with their family or partner, please read this article and think about those you know who may be alone, and consider doing something to include them, if only once in a while.

marginendeavour progress with Eyesore

Recent drawing - number series - 9

Recent drawing - number series - 8

Exciting news - selected for NewBridge Writing Workshop as part of the tutor team

Last month I applied to the NewBridge Writing Workshop series. This 10-week writing workshop is specifically for those who have not previously had a formal education or experience in writing (e.g. a university programme) but who are committed to developing their writing skills and also building an understanding of how to get published.

Led by the University of Sunderland’s Dr Alex Lockwood (author of the nonfiction book The Pig in Thin Air, and the 2019 novel The Chernobyl Privileges, shortlisted for The Rubery Prize) the programme will include a series of exercise-based workshops aimed at building confidence and a creative toolkit. Workshops will also look at the Working Class Writer’s Plan (developed by North East writer Carmen Marcus, in conjunction with the Bookseller magazine) to help those taking part build a community of contacts, fellow writers and performers in the North East and beyond.

I am delighted to announce that my application has been accepted and I have been selected to be part of the tutor team. This role will include some mentoring or support from Alex Lockwood on developing my writing facilitation.

I'm looking forward to meeting Alex on Thursday, along with the other two applicants who have been selected for the tutor team. 

Eyesore progress by marginendeavour

The new year saw marginendeavour turn over a new leaf; we broke out and took things over the edge and back! We don't intend to cover the whole back, but will cover the edge of the outer frame, leaving the strips of newspaper as they are when wrapped around the board.

Recent drawing - number series - 7

Culmination of 'Text in Art' strand with Year 2 Fine Art students at Newcastle University

Today was my final session with the group of 2nd year Fine Art students that chose the 'Text in Art' strand that I have been leading. The students all have different interests and make work that addresses different concerns. Many of the students had never thought about the use of text in their own practice, but they all had an underlying interest in text, prompting them to choose this strand.





















I have met with the students as a group every two weeks for the past three months. The strand began with me giving an overview of how artists use text within their artwork. I introduced the students to a variety of artists using text in their work. 

Over the course of a couple of weeks each student gave a presentation on one artist of their choice who makes use of text within their work.

Another week was devoted to titling work. I asked each group member to select 5 artists that use titles in an interesting way. We shared these and had a group discussion about titling work.

The main focus for the rest of the sessions was the development of each of the students work. Every alternate week the students brought their work to the table for us to discuss. 

I'd like to congratulate the students for engaging very well with the course and for installing an interesting exhibition. The show is in the project space until Friday 10th January, so pop along if you can.