To do list...

As I have discovered since becoming a full-time artist, it's often rather difficult to focus on one project without getting distracted by another.

Every week I make a to do list, in the hope that at very least I complete the list, even if I go about it in a slightly bitty way. Here's what I'm doing this week...

Course preparation for my next workshop.

I have recently started tutoring craft workshops on a variety of subjects from handmade christmas decorations, recycled jewellery, to bead making. These workshops take place just outside Masham, North Yorkshire and are run by ArtisOn, who put on an amazing array of creative workshops in their beautiful studios. Next month I am running a workshop called Cards, Tags and Decorative Papercrafts which will involve collage and paper cutting amongst other things (I'm VERY excited about this one as it's basically a  day of doing what I love, but with cake and biscuits provided!).

This week I'm doing some preliminary prep by searching online for any inspiring papercraft ideas. Here's a couple from some of my favourite blogs..

Tissue Pom Poms by Smile and Wave

Amazing folded novels by Paper Faerie

A new Big Picture.

I am finally getting round to starting a new big map picture this week, which I am incredibly excited about as I love making them and haven't had the chance to do so for a while. Having riffled through my map collection i have decided to make my next piece about Wales. My Grandpa lived just outside Carmarthen until last year, and I grew up visiting him once or twice a year. The map I have found is of Carmarthen and Tenby, perfect as it covers the areas I know the best. I'll keep you informed on the progression of the big picture.



Button Jewellery.

If I get a chance, I may spend some time this week making some more jewellery. I recently opened an Etsy shop called underthecoldtap (of course) where I can sell these pieces. I love buttons and hit upon this idea a few years ago - so far I haven't seen any button jewellery quite like this, and it's been fairly popular!

RA summer show update.

One more thing I have to do before the week is through...next week I journey to London with a suitcase full of work destined for the Royal Academy Summer Show. I'm being loaded up with work by 5 artists including myself, thus saving us all a few pennies (plus I get a trip to london), and will be dropping it off ready for it's review from this years judging panel. But before I pack my work up I must adorn it with these lovely labels so it doesn't get lost.

Well, lots to do, better get on!

Rosie

The Royal Academy Summer Show...

It's been about 5 weeks since I left my 'proper job', and since then life has been a flurry of business plans, lists of goals and lots of talk about what I'm 'going' to do. In order to sell my work, I need to make some. In order to make some, I need money. In order to get money, I need to sell some work.... It's time to stop thinking and start doing; in the immortal words of Mark from Peepshow, lets strap on the nosebag and eat some serious work.

The first big item on my exciting new agenda is the RA summer show - possibly the best exhibition an emerging artist such as myself can get involved in. Every year the Royal Academy (in London) invite artists and architects  to submit their work for consideration, and the lucky chosen folk get their masterpieces displayed in a beautiful show which runs between June and August. I have always loved the concept of the RA summer show, and admired the shows themselves when I have had a chance to visit, but this is the first year I have decided to apply.

Trying to create the work was far more difficult than expected. I had to submit two pieces, and had about 4 weeks to come up with them. When first sitting down to draw out my ideas, I found myself looking at my creative talents through the eyes of the most critical and cynical judge imaginable. Every idea was scrapped, every skill I thought I had was picked apart by niggling doubts and worries of bored sighs.

Eventually, having changed my mind about sizes, styles and themes I eventually settled on entering a piece I made about a year ago. Although simple in it's construction, it was one of the first works I made using a scalpel (now my artistic tool of choice), and I have always loved it's optimism and springlike colours. 'Dear Florrie', which is named after the recipient of the postcard it is made from, is entry number one.

'Dear Florrie', deconstructed postcard collage, Rosie Scott- Massie 2010.

Submitting an 'old' piece of work had not been part of my original plan, and having made the choice to include 'Florrie', I now felt I definitely needed something new to go with it. I was recently introduced to the beautiful work of Kate Slater - a papercut/collage artist and children's book illustrator, who uses recycled papers to crate unusual textures in her work. Taking inspiration from her work, I spent days layering old envelopes and maps in different ways to achieve a dramatic, stormy sea and sky.

As with much of my work, I wasn't convinced about the success of this one right up until it'd completion, but I have to say that I'm pretty happy with it now.
'Swallowed by the Sea' is entry two...

'Swallowed by the Sea' (with details), maps, envelopes, postcards, paper, gouache. Rosie Scott-Massie 2011.

The application form has been sent, and the pieces are ready to be taken down to london at the end of March. Fingers crossed the RA judging panel will like them too. I'll let you know.

Rosie