Head hunted

I have been talent spotted by the Orcadian jeweller Shelia Fleet. Not by her personally, a very lovely lady who works as an enameller for the company. Who knew I was studying art and may be skilled. 

Unfortunately, due to my full time course demands I can't take up the position of enameller. Regardless of that I was still invited to have a try of the process this morning. Which is very therapeutic and extremely detailed and requires a lot of concentration. I was very grateful for the opportunity to gain some experience and see the process as I have a few Shelia Fleet pieces of my own and have always liked her designs so was nice to try my hand at it too. 

This out of the blue experience may not appear just that eventful now but you never know what will happen in the not too distant future. 

Being a tourist on hometurf

Visited a place I had never been before in Orkney - Always nice to see something new. 

Inside Cuween Hill Cairn looking out from the passage. I had to literally crawl on my hands and knees along the passage in pitch blackness. Well, there was a torch in a box outside with no battery power... So made do with my phone torch. 

Nice views from the top

Interesting stone stacks

Proper update

Well here goes...

I have literally done nothing since coming home from my America break, well, other than full time work in the shop along with a few evening shifts. And then after all that working when I do get the odd day off I do nothing! I don't want to do anything funny enough.

But now after getting all my student loan payment dates for 3rd year in the post today it prompted me to have a look through the calendar and the first day back to college is looming. Which I am thoroughly looking forward to as it then means my priority is purely my coursework and less of this earning-a-living nonsense these grown-ups have to do.

The sad reality is my sketchbooks that I took home on my last day - other than briefly flicking through the pages on the odd occasion - have sat on my table and not found a permanent home yet, more to the fact I am running out of space for all these sketchbooks. 


What I can show you is a few pictures from my America trip which may inspire some artwork when I start back. Yeah, that's the other thing, I don't really have a direction for my work at the moment. Do I continue along with the 'Connections' idea, although perhaps not as sculptural. Or do I pick up a whole new line of development? I don't want to dwell on that too much though as it just adds stress to the whole process which after a bit of experience, I know best not to over-think it all too much as things always progress with an open mind.

So the big US of A, and I only saw I tiny bit of it on the West Coast. My whistle-stop tour through the states of: California, Nevada and Arizona, was a very different experience from anywhere in Europe I have ever been too (yet!) The landscape, people, food, atmosphere...temperature!... was just a completely new, unforgettable experience. One which I do hope is not to be my last.

San Diego- Mexican border- lots of Mexican culture, day of the dead seemed to be a great theme for tourist souvenirs as well as artwork of Frida Kahlo.  

Hot air balloon ride is Scottsdale, Arizona. Upwards of 40oC, which I'm amazed I coped with but the experience was unforgettable. 

Stopped off in Seligman on Route 66, which is the place that Disney Pixars 'Cars' was based on. 

Saw a few interesting things including this sheriff cowboy but I would love to do the entire route of 66- it's on the bucket list! 

One of the most photographed signs in the world, the Twatt sign in Orkney is likely on that list too! 

Vegas was a very colourful place! 

The Grand Canyon was breathtaking. You go there knowing it's big but nothing prepares you for it. It's HUGE! Photos will never capture just how beautiful it is. 

In the Grand Canyon national park I went off exploring on my own and in some of my leaflets I had acquired I read about this artist residency within the park and the latest installation. I ended up being taken there by an American guy who I met on the bus. Turns out other than trying to establish his own religion...I was 4th ray personality, like himself, whatever that meant! That he used to be a mayor. If it wasn't for this interesting gentleman I wouldn't have found this piece of artwork. 

This was the work of Jared Charzewski, details on the link

http://www.jarodcharzewski.com/lately/

Whilst I was viewing this I picked up information on the artist residencies they offer, so you never know one day I may return to that place to create artwork! 

Another place of real natural beauty was Yosemite National Park

Vernal Falls which was a bit of a hike to get to but the view from the top was worth it. 

The iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Fransico which, yes I'm going to repeat the word again, was a very colourful place! That was more in the literal sense this time though as it was Gay Pride week when we arrived, with the parade happening on the weekend we were there. 

I didn't see any of the parade, except the aftermath! I was too busy with bike rides over the Golden Gate and thanks to my super organisational skills of booking months in advance!- I went over to Alcatraz. Which was very interesting, especially to learn that families lived over there! They were families of the workers and had lovely little houses on the island and the children would take a boat back and forth to school in San Franscisco ever day- just like school kids in Orkney really! It's all Connections!! 

Lazy

Not been updating this much recently at all! But I will, I WILL! 

Been tidying the framing room at work and when I bundled these cardboard tubes together liked the sculptural quality.

 Reminds me of coral or anemones deep underwater on a David Attenburgh documentary... It's funny how everyday objects just catch your eye and get you thinking sometimes! 

Anyway, a proper update coming soon! 

An ongoing problem

My name is ALWAYS spelt wrong! I fill out endless forms, stating my name as clear as can possibly be but yet Kirstin is still mis-spelled! When you are trying to build a name for yourself in this art business it does help if you can be recognised by your rightful name! 

However, I do like the pieces when they are hanging up. 

End of the holidays

Other than being delayed on my return travels due to hurricane Arthur, my American adventures have been great. Here is some pieces I seen just travelling back to the UK...

Installation at LAX airport:

Something similar at Philadelphia airport

Which unfortunately was behind glass so not easy to photograph but it's smaller birds making up the shape of a larger bird. 

Air and space themed artwork:

Again at Philadelphia airport, glass works from different artists: 

Then some fun pieces:

And finally the random: