Its very unusual for me to find myself writing a post on this blog in an evening, not least a Saturday evening. If I am honest it feels a little wrong. The tv is blaring in the living room, and there's a lot of activity around the house. Of course I love that, both girls are back for the weekend, one with boyfriend in tow. So the house is full of life! But I must admit it just isn't my best blog time. I really like the early morning silence, quiet cuppa and music on my headphones, and the feeling like its secret stolen time.
I went away on a mini 24-hour retreat on Thursday evening through to Friday at Abbotswick in Brentwood for a bit of uninterrupted thinking about our business plan for the next 3 years. It was very good to be in a different space with no phones. They have 14 acres of lovely grounds to wander in too and you get very well looked after, including being served with three home made meals. The best thing too is that whilst everyone is very kind - you are just left to get on with whatever you are there to do, and no one bothers you or intrudes. Its very peaceful.
I have had lots of fun today too so thought I would have a go at an evening blog!
I spent the morning into the early afternoon with my friend Louisa in Cambridge. We had a lovely lunch at the Chop House opposite King's College, caught up on all our news. We don't get to see each other very often as she lives in Norfolk now. We used to meet for coffee every Saturday morning and she was a great supporter of Arc and was on the Board of the company for over 12 years. As a Primary Education Adviser for Essex County Council, she was invaluable as a guide to the primary curriculum, especially as she specialises in the arts. She has helped us many times over the years in developing our under 11 storytelling and performance work. Indeed we often trialled new pieces at her school, which was of great mutual benefit. She was always one of our very helpful Critical Friends.
After we got waylaid by the best and most sinful sticky toffee pudding we moseyed around some little independent galleries including BYARD Arts on King's Parade where I bought a small piece by artist - Jennifer Collier http://jennifercollier.co.uk/ A pair of red shoes in a small frame, reminiscent of Cinderella shoes!
Of her work Jennifer Collier says:
My practice focuses on creating work from paper; by bonding, waxing, trapping and stitching I produce unusual paper ‘fabrics’, which are used to explore the ‘remaking’ of household objects. The papers are treated as if cloth, with the main technique employed being stitch; a contemporary twist on traditional textiles. The papers themselves serve as both the inspiration and the media for my work, with the narrative of the books and papers suggesting the forms. I tend to find items then investigate a way in which they can be reused and transformed; giving new life to things that would otherwise go unloved or be thrown away.
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| Jennifer Collier |
I like her work. She takes the ordinary things around her and recasts them so you see them in a new light. Its the kind of transformation of the apparently ordinary that's a joy here. There is a domesticity about it too, but with an ironic take and a cock a snoop attitude.
Nice friend day, relaxing and fun! And on top of that, the break from the business plan meant that when I got home the numbers I had been pouring over for hours suddenly became clear! So bonus all round.
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