Blog posts

Weaving stories 2020
.A blank Page .Ideas coming together .A narrative taking shape .Yarns selected .A new warp .Library,research,sketching,photocopying .Print designs developing .New friends made     .  show more
Whats happening this month...
Happy New Year and welcome to AA2A's 21st Year Thank you to all ...... Artist who've completed our AA2A Artists Evaluation (Part 1) so far. Your feedback really does helps us improve individual schemes and AA2A nationally The deadline for our 1st Student Rep challenge is on 31st January. We've asked Reps Take a series of photographs (minimum of 5) of one...  show more
Opening the mould
Once the two sides have set solid but the plaster has not fully hardened the mould can be opened. Using a chisel I went around the edge of the mould where I expected my clay slip layer to be and gently tapped the mould until a clear crack appeared, you have to be gentle at this stage because you don't...  show more
Creating a plaster jacket
For the next stage of the mould I needed to produce a plaster jacket. This is what the silicone layer sits in and it acts to keep the silicone sturdy and maintain its shape.  To produce this layer I added some small clay moulds to the plastic so that the plaster is cast and has little dips in its surface...  show more
Making a mould
Because I want to not only produce a series of different sculptures, but also create multiple of each I then need to create a mould for each design. To begin making the mould for the first of my series I have coated the sculpture in a very thin layer of silicone this layer is used to capture the detail of...  show more
Sculpture series, adding details
I have now added detail to the first of my sculpture series. I wanted the pieces to be textured so that their finish was similar to that of cast concrete and so I used textures wallpaper and imprinted it into the surface of the clay. I have also added details such as text and imagery to the pieces. This specific...  show more
Sculpture series
Over the past few weeks I have been designing and working on the armature and base layer of clay for a series of sculptures I aim to produce. These sculptures are based on the shape and structure of concrete indicator posts used to signify gas pipes of water hydrants deep underground. Using this recognisable imagery alongside additions of text and...  show more
Chester Arts Fair 2019
For the eighth year the Deepbridge Chester Arts Fair took place at Chester Racecourse from 15 – 17 November. I obtained a discounted student ticket via Eventbrite; it is in my annual calendar. Collections on display included paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics and digital art, with works for sale ranging in price from £40 to £10,000. Alongside the exhibitors there was...  show more
Goodbye to 2019
As the term and year come to a close we met yesterday and talked about the work we have created to date, Jo busy dismantling time pieces, Cathy up to her eyes in puzzle pieces. We appreciate all the support we have had from the students and their contribution to our discussions and have been inspired as to the very...  show more
Materials project
This is the second fine art project for semester 1 year 1.  I guess every university  does things a little  differently.  My art in this project has been influenced  by the amount of litter I see everywhere  and peoples apparent indifference to it being there.   So many  people walk past litter every day and don't  pick it up in fact...  show more
Guest Lecturer – Wendy Mason, National Director, AA2A Ltd.
On 11th November Wendy delivered a very popular lecture during which she outlined her career, introduced the AA2A program and gave a detailed insight in to working as a self-employed creative. Originally trained as a silversmith and jeweller, and having been self-employed herself for 20 years, Wendy was passionate about the AA2A project and self-employment as a viable and beneficial...  show more
New to blogging
I have no idea how I am supposed to blog, so I guess the best way is just to chat to you.  It is a real honour to be asked to be an aa2a student rep. I am a mature student comming to fine art after 36years as a nurse. Art has always been my hobby, used as a stress...  show more
Work in progress
We are both working independently but in constant communication as we work towards producing a narrative that responds to our changing landscape.            show more
Homelands, inspiration
Beautiful printmaking and collage by artist Zarina Hashimi at Kettle's Yard, Homelands exhibition, unitl 2 Feb. 2020 https://www.kettlesyard.co.uk/events/homelands-art-from-bangladesh-india-and-pakistan/   A set of prints made of cities which have been trasformed by violant action, from Sarajevo to Kabul, Damascus, Beirut and New York held ideas of cutting away and imprinting which I found relevant and movignly clear in her expression of...  show more
Homelands, inspiration
Beautiful printmaking and collage by artist Zarina Hashimi at Kettle's Yard, Homelands exhibition, unitl 2 Feb. 2020 https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/zarina-hashmi-17194 A set of prints made of cities which have been trasformed by violant action, from Sarajevo to Kabul, Damascus, Beirut and New York held ideas of cutting away and imprinting which I found relevant and movignly clear in her expression of the...  show more
Sourcing materials
Having tested the Laser engraving settings on my granite sample last week I spent this weekend enquiring some other samples in Sheffield. Cleaning these and arranging them in my studio, I hope soon to be able to take them to York st John's university and set to work engraving my images and text. But for a while yet I still...  show more
Jeremy Turner - "Guest" Lecturer Studio Practice
Our own deputy head of department Jeremy came to the studio practice session on 24th October and delivered a fascinating insight into his own professional practice. Jeremy began by describing his own passage through university, Fine Art Fellowship, residency and PhD and his exploration of sculpture in work that “defines its own limits.” Beginning with chipboard and progressing to more...  show more
Adam Jones - Guest Lecturer
Former student of University of Chester, with Fine Art BA and MA, and top seller on Etsy, Adam generously gave us the benefit of his experience selling hand-made, rustic, bespoke furniture on the Etsy platform. https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MujuFurnitureUK   This is to be followed by a series of workshops helping to set up accounts and generate sales for current students with work...  show more
Andrew Davey - Guest Lecturer
First guest lecturer, Andrew Davey introduced the collaborative co-working space in Handbridge. Offering freelancers and mobile workers studio space, room hire and state of the art facilities, INDUSTRY has strong connections with the University especially through the venture team.   Describing the background to INDUSTRY's development, including Murmurations and Tortoise magazine, Andrew summarised the hub as "Community, Fast Wifi and...  show more
Opening Statement
Starting this blog might be the singularly most difficult thing about my university journey to date. I am required to consider my position as a Fine Artist, my accumulated experience over the course of my studies, and possible trajectories after my degree. In some ways this is perhaps more difficult as a mature 50+ student, than as a young graduate...  show more
Bacterial Cellulose (kombucha leather)
Making Bacterial Cellulose is a key process I am using for my final major project. It involves a kombucha scoby, green tea, vinegar, sugar and water, then after three weeks a leather-like layer is formed on the surface. I am experimenting with adding natural dyes and food waste to colour and add sugar to the bacteria. I find this technique...  show more
The Beginning of a new body of work
I have been selected as one of the Artists to take part in the AA2A Artist Residency scheme at York St John's University, after having been inducted and earlier this week having conducted my artist talk to the students I am now becoming accustom with the facilities in the University. Today I've been working on laser engraving Granite. Having spoken...  show more
Work in progress
We are hard at work creating independent narratives that will form a collective exhibition in 2020.     Jo Tunmer                                                       Cathy Faithfull  show more
Starting out
I have been so grateful for the opportunity to use the fully equipped workshops at Loughborough University again. I am learning a lot already; with trying to queeze in time to prep and plan as well as actually create, giving myself goals and motivation, and evaluating my ideas and outcomes. It is very daunting at the moment, as I don't...  show more
Fame at last or just a blip on the Internet
Just spotted myself on a trailer/film clip on the webpage for Earth & Fire International Ceramics Fair where 2019 exhibitors talk about their experiences. It is nice to have been included :https://youtu.be/EFxDvCoQnFc?t=87  show more
AA2A Beginning - Start
So, it has finally began. Last week the new intake of AA2A artists at UCLan met up: an interesting bunch and lots of creativity and knowledge there. As I have been at UCLan for the last three years, first doing a two year MA part-time course in Ceramics and then another year as a result of having been awarded a...  show more
Last minute prep for the upcoming exhibition in Chichester with the artist collective "Transition"
Come and celebrate with us during the PV on the 20th November 2019 5-8pm PLS Rsvp to info@Transitioncraftdesign.co.uk, thanks see you there!    show more
Hello there.
Hi All,  So i have been working for Castle fine art for the past 11 years now, but i have just recently taken the leap to go solo without a publisher.  I have had experience working at high demand for Washington Green fine art and i am now experiencing what it is like to be self employed running my own...  show more
Artists in conversation
A late thank you to everyone that came to our talk where we discussed over coffee and biscuits should we, as artists, be making thought provoking work that addresses issue of our times. What are our responsbilities and does the work we create make a difference. The consensus was yes, we should and climate change was the main topic of...  show more
#Toolenvy
Today was induction day into woodworking and metalworking area. I absolutely love tools.  show more
01/11/2019
Today I spent some time researching influences for my new piece of work. Someone who really stands out for me in Bobby Baker, a british performance artist. Baker uses humour and stereotypical traits of women to produce performances and video art. However, Baker's performances relate to an older generation of women. Since I am in my early 20s, I want...  show more
Welcome to AA2A Project 2019-20
We're busy getting new artists and designer-makers registered on the website. Each day more profiles should appear online. We look forward to seeing, reading and finding out about who you are and what you do across the year If you haven't already, can you add a picture of yourself to your AA2A profile page, a project statement and an image...  show more
23/10/2019
My first independent day at Loughborough Univeristy and I finally had the time to experiment in a studio - since I come from a contemporary dance background, I had a lot of habitual movement what needed to be released! Now I feel ready to create brand new content for a new live art piece!  Research for this is currently in...  show more
so excited to start
I'm very excited to start my placement with the New Bucks University as Artist in Residence. What a beautiful airy space and very inviting people    show more
New (academic!) year, new work, more fun!
I just started my third and final year at Coventry University as a Fine Art student and quite a lot has changed/is changing around and in me. I left the second year with a clear idea/concept of what I wished to achieve with future work – I wanted (even) more freedom from myself and my thoughts, with chance and arbitrariness...  show more
VR Art Gallery
Cryptovoxels  is a virtual world built on the ethereum blockchain. I have a small gallery space on there in the Hiro district. In the space I'm currently displaying a range of ink drawings, and pieces created using printmaking methods. Visit the space here: https://www.cryptovoxels.com/play?coords=NW@216W,160S This virtual space can be accessed in VR using a VR headset, or via a computer...  show more