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February 28, 2005
Here at Last!!
No more 5.45am starts for me! I am now here in Oxford at last. In a new home and new studio!. Feels great.
Last week was particularly tough as instead of going home to London and getting an early night, I had couple a late nights due to having a social life, which I paid for at work. SO a big sorry to my students who were perhaps on the wrong end of a grumpy Robbie last week.
On Thursday night last week, I met up with Billy and a couple of his friends in Islington for a bite to eat before going to see the rockumentary Ramones: End of the Century at the Screen on the Green. It was a great night and the movies was fabulous reminder of that whole era and what an influencial band they were, especially to the whole UK punk scene.
So, was in bad shape on Friday, which was made worse due to the fact that after teaching all day, I had to go into Oxford pick up the van.
So here is my weekend with the van itinerary for all those of you who just love to hear about my travelling details;
friday 25th 5.00pm: drove van from Oxford to Kentish Town. Met David there to pick up a bath (dont ask) and my stuff there.
8.00pm: Drove to Hastings with David. Dropped off bath.
saturday 26th am: packed van with more of my stuff and emptied my room. pm(after fish and chips by the fishing boats in hastings): drove to Emsworth to Suzie’s house. Swapped bed for my plan chest (dont ask again - ok, it was her bed that I had and my plan chest which she had).
Sunday 27th pm: drove to Oxford. 3.00pm: parked at new studio and unloaded my art and equipment. 4.30pm: parked outside my new house and was welcomed by new house mates Claire and Julie with a cup of tea. They were kind enough to help me unload the van. Slept well last night and this morning, had to get the van back in Oxford before 8.30am. So here I am in internet cafe writing the blog as at least a record of the events. Cant wait for the blogs to return to being about my art…
Posted by robbie at 9:43 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 21, 2005
last week of commuting
Sorry if my blog is a bit repetitive just now. I am afraid that my life has been a bit that way these last weeks. But, now I have only one week left before I move to into a house and a new studio in Oxford. Cant wait.
I spent this weekend back in Hastings, packing up my life once again, trying desperately to downsize my possessions. However, as I had done this last January (2004), there was little further I could get rid off without feeling I was throwing away too many memories. So my life is once again in boxes. I am sure this will all come out in a series of new drawings or paintings at some point. I cant wait to get back and start making art in Oxford. I am sure it will instill another change of emphasis in the work. There is no sea or steep hills in Oxford and it is certainly peopled with a whole different character of people than Hastings. Maybe I will return to interiors or have no people in my work! It is quite exciting not knowing really.
Last week was a fairly exhausting as we were interviewing prospective students for next year. We saw over 150 last week who all had to bring a portfolio of artwork. But, I enjoyed it really as I broke up the dynamic of my weeks so far. I am doing some more tomorrow (Tuesday).
Well hopefully my next blog will be when I have unpacked my mac in my new home and can post pictures of my new studio. Lots of van driving to do before then and I am sure you cant wait to hear about my complex travel itinerary..
Posted by robbie at 4:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 13, 2005
Two weeks more until I can unpack my life
Another two weeks to go of this sub-exisitence of getting a coach everyday from London to Oxford. I would be lying if I said it was not getting me down. Did not go back to Hastings this weekend as I need break from all this travelling. Instead, just wandered aimlessly about London, never quite actually going to see anything. I never went into the Saatchi or the Tate Modern today, despite getting to the front doors… I think I find it hard too look at art when I have not made any in recent weeks. Well this will all soon be sorted when I move to Oxford and into my new studio and house. This week, I went for a pint after work with an artist who is in the same space as me and we had a great chat about football, art and everything and made me feel welcome. I have been finding Oxford a bit impersonal, but then I am only there when I am working and I am usually in a sleep trance trying desperately not to let down my new students. They are a a lively mixed bunch and if only we had some decent space to work in things would be great. There not enough room to swing the proverbial cat.
We are interviewing prospective new students all this week which I know will be tiring. But actually I am looking forward to the change of pace.
Posted by robbie at 2:29 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
February 6, 2005
Making Progress...
Just here for my weekly check in to update my progress;
I finally managed to secure a room in a house in Oxford, but I wont be able to move in for another 3 weeks. However, it is close to my job and not far from town so I cant wait. I also nearly have a studio too. I am just waiting to hear back from the people who already work there to see whether they are happy with me moving in. It is a modest space but, again not too far away from work and my digs, and it is a start.
I had some good news this week. I had an invitation to work out in Cyprus for the whole of July. Cyprus College of Art have studios in Limassol where people book to come and make art for a month (usually students). They need someone to look after them while they are there. But I get studio space and lodgings, so I am going. I worked in the Lemba studios in 2002 (see Cyprus 2002 in Galleries), which I loved, so it is great to be going back. And then I am teaching a Narrative Painting Course at Edinburgh College of Art Summer School in August. So, if you fancy being taught by me and make some narrative paintings then book yourself on now. email: continuing.studies@eca.ac.uk or tel. 0044 (0)131 221 6109.
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