So when I come back after the Christmas holidays I will be coming back with lots (I hope) of new objects to get me cracking on new paintings.

I will be working out how I see my part of the degree show taking shape. The collaboration with others for the exhibition in the Andrew Grant Corridor is part of that. I think it will be a real test to see how my work will look next to other painters who have similar interests and if it successful we may be able to do something similar for the degree show subject of course to the ambitions of the others involved.

I am also taking part in two projects. The first is 'Adopt an Artist' which is another collaboration, this time with Moray House teaching students. I get to lend some specialist knowledge and in turn get to see Curriculum for Excellence at work in secondary schools.

The other project is connected with the Grassmarket. I have done a lot of thinking about what I can contribute and am excited at the prospect of doing detailed drawings which will highlight the history and continued life of the traders and inhabitants of that very old and busy area of Edinburgh. Successful participants will have their work transferred onto vinyl which will be posted on 12 windows of a lower flat on King's Stables Road for anything up to three years. This would be very good promotion.

It seems hard to believe that I have not been on the web site for a few weeks. Time certainly seems to be marching on and I have really just been getting ton with work in the studio in addition to working on the dissertation. I am hoping that I will be able to submit the dissertation before the end of this semester so that the holidays are for resting up not further wrestling with the writing element which is only 20 credits.

The work in the studio has been going well. I continue to work on the basis of transforming found weathered objects from the beach by processes of deconstruction and reconstruction.  I find working in a sketchbook by far the best method of getting into an object through constant drawing. 

By letting the object dictate the shape of the painting, there has been more room for creativity in terms of painted surface. The sculpture workshop has been a good source for off-cuts of wood. Some with very visible pre-use and interesting shapes which add to the character of the finished product.

I have had two project spaces so far. A joint one with Emily Lang and Emma Kelsey, and one on my own. The joint one started out well but as neither of the other girls were organised on the day, things were a bit rushed and our goals were not met. The one I did on my own was perhaps more rewarding as I was able to focus on presentation and display which is a large component of what I am interested in this year. 

The mid-session review is this Friday and I have been getting my studio space ready for that. It is a restricted spaces so layout has to be well considered.