I am well into my residency at Liverpool Hope University. I started at the beginning of November but missed a few weeks with the Christmas holidays and the big house move. However, I’m now back on track with only a couple of months left.

I began the residency by doing a formal lecture/presentation to introduce myself and explain my work. Out of the hundreds of students enrolled only about thirty turned up along with two academics. Maybe because it was held at lunch time. I didn’t feel nervous because I was well prepared so everything went swimmingly. Only one student asked a question at the end, about whether I use photography for my paintings. Overall, the students at Hope seem quite reserved in comparison to other students I have worked with.

I don’t have a dedicated studio space at Hope and find myself fitting into the first year studio where I can. This has made things difficult. I do feel like I’m encroaching on their space and find it impossible to relax and concentrate on my work. Also, as it is a multi-use studio I can’t leave work out to dry. Consequently, I’m working mostly in acrylic which is not my medium of choice. I’ve taken some of the smaller works home to finish in oil.

This is all quite negative but I have benefitted, so far, in lots of ways. Hope campus is beautiful and it’s a pleasure to walk through its gardens as I arrive and leave. I’ve met some lovely people amongst the teaching staff. In particular, I’ve spent some time with the technician, Dave, learning how to use the machines in the workshop and learning the best methods of making stretchers. I’ve also been able to make use of the excellent print room and Greg, the Graduate Assistant, has been helping me master screen printing. Because of the challenging working situation I’ve been pushed to use new methods and materials. Working in a different place and talking to new people has given me fresh ideas that I wouldn’t have had working at home alone. By the end of the residency I should have a decent body of work.

Here are some pictures of works in progress

Here are a few screenprints that I’ll be working into with paint.

As you can see, it’s all quite different from my usual work!