I had a glorious morning playing around with the forge, something I haven't done since I was a student! Huge fun. My clay pieces are getting fired and I am looking at ways of putting them together so I thought heating up small section mild steel rod would be ideal. It is, I twisted several lengths really easily and got into a good routine with the torch, so much so I now have another plan to use another slightly different method of connecting the clay pieces, never enough time!!!! Many thanks to a lovely student, Charlii Eve for taking the photos. 

Today was the first time all the artists met at Chelmsford college and what a great experience that was! We each gave a short presentation to students and why is it I always manage to forget half what I planned to say? Apart from that, it went really well and I got a real buzz from seeing the other work, such diversity but connections too. I strongly feel the possibility of discussion, crits and collaboration. This is getting better and better! 

The weather has played havoc with plans to go anywhere recently but I managed to get into Chelmsford today and had a thoroughly good time. Russell the fab technician has fired some of my work hurrah! I took in another pile of tiny small and extremely delicate pieces for firing and made holes in some crumpled pieces that I was working on last time. I shall now start the process of painting all the fired bits which will be a very slow business and then sewing it all together. I have made different holes in each set of clay pieces so that I will connect and construct each sculpture differently. I am also looking forward to working with Jody to do a session with her group using natural materials next week, we made a few plans and it should be a good session. A good day in a lovely warm studio ! 

A productive day in Chelmsford rolling out clay and crumpling it, this led to a very interesting chat with a media tutor and plans for setting up an animation next week, I had never planned for this! Brilliant.

Its been a slow process getting going as the Chelmsford artists need a CRB check and we are the first artists on the AA2A scheme so the admin is taking time, I have been going in and nibbling away at all the paperwork and we shall get started very soon. Staff at Chelmsford are being particularly helpful and friendly and the other artists are a real find so I have very high hopes for a really interesting, action packed year. The facilities are a dream - a whole workshop of equipment, a forge, new kiln, industrial bandsaw, sanders and plenty more all waiting to be connected up. However with all the possibilities, I feel like a kid in a sweet shop so I must remind myself that I need to focus on the project ......