Victoria's Graduation Day

Graduation at Bath Spa University.

Friday we travelled to Bath for Victoria’s Graduation this is the conclusion for her after three years full time study at Bath Spa University where she achieved a 2:1 degree. This means she now has a BA with honours for music more letters to add after her name!
Victoria has studied and loved to play music since she was about 7 years old.
Now she is home in Norfolk the real work begins finding a job and continuing to create and share her music through teaching and performance, I’m not sure if she realizes the real learning is only just beginning it will be interesting to watch and support as she continues to develop and grow, she will need to make important decisions along the way, some I am sure will be good ones, while others may well become regrets! but this is all part of the learning and growing that the University education cannot teach.
Jane and I are both extremely proud of Victoria; Jane at times during the day even had tears in her eyes as the day unfolded.
Congratulations Victoria or should I say, "Little one"

Here she shaking the hand of Mr Joe Bennett, Dean for the School of Music and Performing Arts.

A group shot with one of her tutors:

Prof James Saunders and some fellow students from her composition group.

Norfolk and Norwich Open Studios 2012

Norfolk and Norwich Open Studios is here againToday was the first day and I havelopened my workshop/studio and gallery to the public.
If you have never taken part in this event this is great opportunity to travel around the county of Norfolk looking at Artists studios their work, and where they create it.
To find out more visit the website.
www.nnfestival.org.uk/openstudios
My workshop/ Studio. Will be open
From 10:00- 17:00hrs
During the weekends of:
May 26, 27.
June 2, 3, 4, 5. and 9,10.

I look forward to seeing you during the event.

Happy February

Having had the flu and starting to feel better I felt it was time to give you all a brief update.
I had a slow start to the year the book Contemporary Woodturning. Techniques and Projects is finally finished so now I can move on from that project, it certainly took some serious commitment to complete, all I have to do now is wait for the printed copies to arrive this should be late May/June fingers crossed.
January was unusually busy and work is steadily gathering pace after a good start.
I have decided to take part in the NNOS(Norfolk and Norwich Open studios) event this year this takes place in May/June.
Hopefully I will see lots of you here in my workshop/studio, I am also taking part in several exhibitions throughout the year.

The first of which is at One Church Street Gallery Great Missenden this runs Feb 8th until March 10th 2012.
Others to follow include The (NCCS) Norfolk contemporary Craft Society exhibition in October celebrating their 40th Anniversary.
The Wizardry in Wood Exhibition in October.
Im sure there are others but cannot think of them just now.

I have the usual round of club demonstrations throughout the year as well as production turning/teaching to keep me busy when not writing further articles for GMC publications these articles have a 20 working day turnover so time has to constantly be managed carefully to fit everything into the schedule. We live by the wall planner and diary and commit to nothing before their consultation.

A question was recently asked on another blog that I follow “What is your time worth” My answer is simple: more than it used to be. As costs continue to escalate, so does the rate for my time.

After all every time my van is serviced it costs more each time, as do the parts used to maintain and make needed repairs.

Finally a rather belated Happy New Year to one and all. I hope to see some of you throughout the year.