The Last Post

This is my last posting on this blog....the hangings are now installed in Reception and look fantastic so my job is done.  I'm incredibly proud of the students of Oldbury Wells and the work they have created; it is vibrant, exciting, confident and complex - an accurate reflection of the students!  The work demonstrates what can be achieved through rigorous research, applied design skills and above all good teamwork. 

This has been a fantastic adventure for me as an artist and I have enjoyed every minute of working with the students.  Many thanks to all the staff, students and Governors of Oldbury Wells for giving me the opportunity to work in their school & I hope that you and visitors to school will enjoy the results of the Residency. 

Young Darwins!

Last Thursday I had a very enjoyable day leading an Art/Science event with students from our feeder Primary Schools. We used Darwin and his voyage on the HMS Beagle as our inspiration for the day, imagining we were the ship's artist carefully recording Darwin's botanical finds. Later in the day we became designers, using the botanical drawings as starting points for our own original print patterns. The prints were cut up and collaged to form a Tree of Life poster.....

The End is Near!!

So this is the large hanging for reception finally finished!  I've been trying to work out how many hours of work have gone into it....at least 100!  The two smaller hangings are also finished and are equally as detailed & vibrant so together the three will be visually very striking but hopefully everyone will take the time to look at the detail of them which tracks this wonderful journey I've had as Artist in Residence. 

Science Festival

I've just returned from a weekend at the Cheltenham Science Festival....amazing!  I've heard lectures from eminent scientists such as Lord Robert Winston & Jim Al-Khalili, learnt all about the latest developments in such diverse topics as flood control & hearing aids and gasped in awe at the large scale bangs and flashes created by the chemists on stage.  I am totally inspired!  If you have the chance to go next year then it is well worth the effort.

Heading for the finish line!

The 3 wall hangings for reception are now almost finished....just a few touches to add and then the binding & hanging. It's very satisfying to see them come together & I'm really pleased with how they are looking. I'm hoping they will be ready to hang in 2 weeks which should just leave me with enough time to create a small mosaic with the students.

Many thanks to Kevin who put up the paper mache sculptures in the science department today; they look fab!

The Power of Paper Mache

Never underestimate the power of good old paper mache!  When funds are running low then just a load of old newspaper, pva glue and willing hands are all that's needed to create wonderful sculptures like this shark.....

Watch out for this and other sea creatures appearing on science department walls soon....!

Wow!

What a great surprise! I went to the Malvern show this afternoon to pick up our wall hanging & was overjoyed when I saw 2 rosettes pinned on.....we won 3rd prize in the under 16 category and an extra 'Well Done' merit rosette from the organisers. I can't wait to tell the students tomorrow!