End of Semester 1

Well it's the start of 2017. I thoroughly enjoyed the first semester, having my first exhibition and all the feed back I received. Generally speaking I feel I have achieved more than I thought I would for such a relatively short period of time. I have tried new genres and styles, such as working in wood, metal and ceramics. In addition, I also developed new skills such as working with a glue gun. Previously, I worked solely with painting and drawing so it has been a steep learning curve for me to be be able to work in different mediums. I have continued to do paintings and drawings and have learnt that when I'm not happy with a painting that I can work into it and change it until I have achieved my goal. Previously, I would have abandoned it and left it unfinished.

I ended 2016 by bringing in an old desk, instead of getting rid of it. I decided to paint onto it putting in "Hard Men From The Northeast". First of all, I painted in Ernie Bewick, John Henry Sayers, Brian Cochrane, Lee Duffy, Viv Graham,Lewis Walsh, Steve Hobley and last but not least, Billy Hawthorn. This is still a work in progress that I hope to complete in the coming weeks.

With the help of tutors, the technicians and Disability Support, I am gaining confidence, technical and academic skills. As I suffer with Bipolar, the added confidence that I have gained is helping me mentally to stay focused, and to concentrate on my work.