ASSESSMENT 
He's making a list, checking it twice....

11th December 2014

Now the assessment is over... I'm lying in a darkened room with Gregory Porter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UedUd0KufI
and a small bar of Toblerone for company. Me and my fellow students waited with bated coffee and hot chocolate breath for our assessment feedback once our portfolios had been submitted for marking. My feedback interview given by Ian Chamberlain - the Paul Hollywood of etching - http://ianchamberlainartist.blogspot.co.uk 
which went surprisingly well, due in part I think to my conscious suppression of tourette-ish excitement with which I normally describe all things MA. After all this time I am doing 'very well'. Could I actually be an intellectual? 

my 2nd 'matisse' style digital print

I spent the last week of term preparing for the 'hand-in' alongside struggling with the demands of teaching groups of pre-pubescent children excited into a frenzy by the prospect of 'Santa Claus coming to town'. I was labelling, ironing, working with print transfer techniques, controlling crowds and invading my personal space (and others space too) with lovely glitter. In my opinion, Glitter is completely underrated (unless your name is Gary...) it's the highlight in an otherwise dull, tie wearing, grey school day- reminiscent of this MA Printmaking course, which has been a glittery highlight. However, with this MA you don't find particles of it in your underwear at the end of the day. 

The textiles studio beckoned with Sean and Becki, whilst waiting for Ian's meeting, with Max, Kate and Kate (all of us working like Santa's little helpers).  I began designing a series of fluid, figurative fabric pattern designs. These designs I've printed digitally and intend to add colour and extra texture. My attention has been grabbed by the canvasses of Anselm Kiefer, whose large scale, textural mixed media surfaces are inspirational as well as Matisse and Klimt. I find the arrangement of bright colour with freehand organic linear forms actually delicious. 
https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/anselm-kiefer

Timorous Beastie design

Gradually, one by one, my MA chums left the workshop for their assessment feedback til there was just me alone with the smell of ink and singed hair. I hoped Ian was saving the best til last and at 2.30pm it was my turn.... 

All went well - no tears, no explosive expletives, just an extremely positive and a useful critique of my portfolio. The suggestions Ian made: 
to look more closely at etching (which I had discounted as a process) and to research the print work of the Scottish wallpaper and fabric design company Timorous Beasties; beautiful complex marbled patterns - acid colours and insects I think a winning combination. http://www.timorousbeasties.com/shop/fabric/

my 'Klimt' inspired textlie pattern - a bit 'timorous beastie'

Also suggested research material was the work of the Printmaker and Artist Jasper Goodall http://www.jaspergoodall.com/product.php?item=81 
His work left a strange taste in my mouth, rather like Jagermeister and lime, eclectic and provocative. Goodall's digital giclee prints were similar to 1980s graphic art - I thought Barney Bubbles http://www.barneybubbles.com/ melded with the figurative; mirroring the suggestive fashion poses from the mid 1970's of the French photographer Guy Bourdin http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/p/guy-bourdin-exhibition/.?

Jasper Goodall 

Guy Bourdin image 1975

Add to this imagery, the pornograffiti artwork of Miss Van http://www.missvan.com/ and a splash of the contemporary artist Miss Bugs http://www.missbugs.com/gallerynew.html. Goodall's printed images could be faintly reminiscent of a 1980s teen bedroom 'four tissue fantasy' poster.

...not sure of this creative direction but I know I am ready for anything in 2015. I may not be an intellectual but I am inspired, covered in swiss pointy chocolate and rock a hat with ear flaps. Bring it on Greg I'm feelin' good. 
Merry Christmas!