Susan O'Byrne, porcelain sculpture, about 90cm high

I’m really looking forward to going to Ceramic Art London this coming weekend. Although I’m not showing any work personally, my lovely friend from the Glasgow Ceramics Studio, Susan O’Byrne, is exhibiting her life-size lyrical printed porcelain sculptures. This work has to be seen to be believed, both in its scale, virtuosity and emotional impact. We’ve been watching Susan’s narrative sculptures take shape at the studio for many months now and are very excited to see them nearing completion. It is definitely promising to be a stand-out stall at the event.

Ceramic Art London is on in London (obviously) on the 26th, 27th and 28th of February.

JK Rowling lecture

Apart from being an Edinburgh local, JK Rowling is an author who’s work I really admire. In this video she addresses Harvard graduates in 2008.

Why did I post it here? She talks in a heartfelt and honest way about her life experience, and how failure – that is finding herself as a single mum with no job and living in poverty – affected her life – as did her first job working for Amnesty International.

Frances Stark “But what of Frances Stark, standing by itself, a naked name, bare as a ghost to whom one would like to lend a sheet?”

Well, hello! It’s been a long time. I’ve been very shy of the computer keyboard since I injured my right arm because I wasn’t mindful enough of how to use a keyboard properly. Now I’m beginning to return to computer use, a little at a time, even though I continue to struggle with RSI. It’s amazing how much something like that can affect your life.

On Thursday night (that was the 12th Feb) I went to a private view at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow, Sauchiehall Street. The exhibition was of work in paper collage and drawing by Frances Stark, an artist from the USA.

I had a really marvelous time. The CCA is a great venue – a very welcoming, open and accessible space. They served us G&T’s instead of the usual wine – which would win anyone over, just by novelty value, I’m sure. Frances Stark is very clever and has a great sense of humour – not to mention a lot of patience, judging by the nature of the collages, which in many cases were INLAID. I think she’s a closet ceramicist really. I’ve been wondering what to make of the piles of paper, documents and receipts building up in my own life as well. Anyway, the show is well worth a look.

As far as my website is concerned, I’ve made a few changes. Since I’m no longer a student, the albums showing all the experimentation, processes and techniques I used towards my MPhil have been relegated to a less prominent position. They are, however, still available, should you wish to look at photographic documentation of the glaze testing techniques I used, screen printing ceramic transfers , mould making and slip casting, making pvc moulds, fixing a gas kiln, etc etc.

I have put more emphasis on my portfolio and finished work, and will be from now on working towards starting a ceramics business as an artist. Wish me luck!