I consciously decided to take time out of my professional practice, and since January have not made any of my 'old' forms. Instead, I have used the facilities at NTU to experiment with a variety of different processes. My intention was to brush up my printmaking skills (etching and mono printing), and make my designs into ceramic transfers. My recollection of university printmaking studios were fabulously smelly environments, filled with oil based inks, Turps, white spirit and the like. I was taken completely by surprise when I turned up with my bag of polluting chemicals to find a 'clean' studio with environmentally friendly water-based inks and lots of soap and water, and no acid tanks in sight! Ah well, never mind, this was the ideal opportunity to learn a new skill. This I did with the help of Cathy Dickinson, who very generously invited me to join her forthcoming demonstration to the 2nd year Textile students in Silk screen printing. Back in the Ceramics studio, I was left to 'potter and play', working through my ideas. Jude Wensley was always generous, both with her time and knowledge, and I am most grateful to her. I would also like to thank Andy Harris (technician) for replying most patiently to my many emails. I absolutely loved working alongside the 3rd year ceramics students, and found them to be friendly and helpful, and I hope I was useful to them on occasions when asked for advise or technical information. I eventually did use the ceramic printing machine, making transfers from patterns, designs and old b&w; photographs. I used the plaster room to make a couple of moulds, and made full use of the library, which was such a luxury. Although I didn't reach a conclusion with a definite path to follow, I experimented with several different ideas that have been floating around for a while, some of which have now been ditched and others are definitely worth pursuing further. I have also been reminded of my love of textiles. I am most grateful both to the AA2A scheme and to the staff at NTU for enabling me to pursue these ideas, and I would strongly recommend the scheme to other artists, it is certainly very worthwhile. The only problem is, I want to be a student again!

'Hip'
clay, stain, malachite, wax