So on day 2 of me trying to talk about my work I realise I need to start dismantling everything due to moving out of my studio in Marazion. I've been aware of this for quite a while now, just been in a state of denial, not so much sad to be leaving this space, but more what the hell am I going to do with everything whilst I seek a new studio?!

This studio is damp and cold (whose isn't?) but with that the outside seeps in. Ivy and brambles crawl through the walls and doors and I often walk in to find swallows up in the rafters, or sadly more often then not, dead ones tucked behind all my junk.

I think this studio environment has inspired my work over the years. I'm fascinated with mould growth and the intertwining forms connecting living and dead matter, where ivy grows through a building wall, where dug up roots begin to re-shoot and where fallen trees quickly become covered with crawling plant life.
 
I have recently been using a combination of synthetic and natural materials to construct hybrid sculptures, this has also involved melting some plastics (not good I know), mainly scraps I've found around the studio, both inside and out.  Toxic environments are intriguing, out of decay and destruction life form usually finds a way. I wanted to continue 'growing' this work so it sprawled and hung and took over my studio. 

For now at least it has to be all packed away. 

Four long days at the beautiful, spacious and steeped in history, Porthmeor Studios, St Ives.  So short a time but it felt like a luxury, a holiday away from the norm, I didn't have to rush off each day to carry on with all my other duties, I stayed, immersed myself and made the most of the space.

It was an opportunity to work in an empty environment, away from the chaos and clutter of my studio back in Marazion. An opportunity to see works in progress clearly and develop ideas and experiment with no set agenda or outcome. 

Most of the pieces I'd been working on were destroyed at the end, mainly due to the ephemeral fragile nature of them. It felt good, it always does.

Mould studies using biro ink ....

Developments of my mould imagery, by having my works on paper and wood arranged I'm able to have a constant reference point with the sculptural work I'm currently playing with.   Fascinated with mould growth and the intertwining forms connecting living and dead matter, where ivy grows through a building wall, where dug up roots begin to re-shoot and where fallen trees quickly become covered with crawling plant life, is where I'm gathering inspiration.

It's been a long while since I've been on this studio blog. I've been busy working towards two exhibitions coming up soon, both with the NSA (http://www.nsanewlyn.com) . One at the beautiful Kestle Barton Gallery (http://www.kestlebarton.co.uk) and the other at Plymouth City Museum & Gallery(http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/creativityandculture/
museums/museumpcmag/museumexhibitionsdisplays/museumnewlyn.htm)