Assimilation

The weeks before it all starts for real

I’ve officially been living in Norwich for over a week and a half and can confidently say I think this year will be wonderful. The city has inspired me already, warming up both my creative and physical muscles. I signed up for a yoga studio that has a £25 for 2 weeks of unlimited classes deal and have gone pretty much every day. It has been helpful in adding a little structure to these long days of nothing, giving me a good healthy reason to leave my room every day. I have also been doing plenty of walking around and exploring, mostly just around the city center, to orient myself better and get some steps in. The weather has been BEAUTIFUL. Not the typical overcast English climate but a nice 70°F (or like 20°C which I’ve been trying to get used to using) and sunny. I’ve been trying to take advantage of this, knowing the persistent grey sky’s will be here soon, by sketching outside.

I inserted a few of the sketches I’ve done below, but remember this is just practice and is NOT meant to be pretty. I’m just trying to remind myself that I have a full Bachelors degree in art and I actually can sit and draw for more than 3 minutes. Each drawing took around 15-20 minutes and really helped me see Norwich up close and personal. I sketch them first with a light pencil just to get the composition, then go in with a pen for the lines and details, finally to give them some depth I use an ink brush and water. I’m gonna try my hardest to keep up these observational drawings but will probably get swamped with other projects once things get going.

Average Norwich scene

I LOVEE all the willows here!!

So much medieval architecture everywhere

I have 3 more days until my program starts and I am SO ready. I went to the grad show for this past years students and it made me so excited for what’s coming up. All the work was so intriguing and took up space in a way I’m so excited to do. The buildings on campus are insanely beautiful (like converted medieval spaces) and most of the studios overlook the river.

A few people asked me about my program, like if I’ll be taking classes/what classes would I take, but this program doesn’t have lectures or classes, it’s focused around artistic exploration and creation resulting in the final exhibition. I’ll have workshops, meetings, and short collaboration projects but mostly just get studio time. Coming from an undergrad course that heavy on skill building and instruction, words can’t even describe how happy I am to have my own studio and time to just make. I’ll learn more about exactly what this year will look like in the upcoming week, and will be sure to update you once I get my studio!!!

Here is another video showing off how beautiful this place is (including a very British man yelling at his dog in the background). I’m waiting, pretty impatiently, for someone to come visit and hang out with me. I miss you all very very much!!! Talk to you soon.