Sophie Ashdown

I had my third one-to-one tutorial with Jonathan on 30th May.

We initially talked about some of my blogs, which I find slightly weird because I usually forget that anyone might actually read my posts! I generally write what comes directly from my head so it’s a surprise sometimes to realise that people are reading my thoughts.

Jonathan liked some of my posts about pattern walks. I have always randomly taken photos of patterns I see on a daily basis, but have been making more of an effort to dedicate time to just this activity. It harks back to a Tuesday session we had previously where we talked about consciously going for a walk just to look and experience, without music, phone, or other distraction.

As usual Jonathan found something to comment on that directly reflected on my state of mind! In one post I commented on a patterned upholstered chair, and how if I made the chair, I would ensure that the pattern on the buttons lined up with the pattern on the chair. I realised that I have made my thoughts (and quirks!) so transparent with that observation, and it was funny that Jonathan chose that to comment on.

I talked about how at home when I’m doing DIY, I always have to make sure the screwheads are always in line up and down, eg:

To me it seems completely obvious and somehow essential to line up those screwheads. (However interestingly I usually only insist on doing this when it is something I have worked on myself. If a builder or someone else does work in my house I don’t follow them around making the screwheads match!)

In previous tutorials we’ve spoken about my wish to be more free with my art, but I haven’t achieved that. Jonathan asked if I really want/need to, which was a really good point. As much as I think I want to be free flowing with my art, that isn’t actually what interests me or drives me. Likely I need to accept and embrace how detailed I like to be, and that in itself could be the niche that I fit happily into.

We talked about the Electric Dreams exhibition at the Tate Modern, and how I had just gone back to see it again the weekend before. It is very relevant to my research topic so I enjoyed seeing it again. Jonathan suggested that I go to the Print Study room at the V&A where I can request and view specific pieces.

Jonathan mentioned the Computer Arts Society so I have since looked it up and become a member! They are running a conference in July that has some topics I’d be interested in but I’m not sure that I want to spend £116 which is just to view it online. Still, just becoming a member has already opened up an array of resources and information to explore further.

We talked about my research paper and how that was going. At the time I hadn’t finished the draft version due on Tuesday, but I did have a huge number of notes and bullet points that I needed to wrangle into a more ordered version to submit.

I am super happy that I’m in Gia’s group for the research paper, and had messaged Jonathan previously to ask if I could be in her group. It turns out that he had already put me in her group anyway, so clearly he has me figured out pretty well.

Jonathan asked me what I’m currently finding challenging, exciting, and daunting. As always, my biggest challenge is time, or lack of it. I constantly struggle to balance all of the different facets of my life but I’m making an effort to prioritise this course and ensure I carve out enough time for the research and most certainly to create more art. From August I’ll be doing less hours in my day job so that I can give more time to this course, and make the most of this opportunity.

I’m finding that the research paper is challenging, exciting, and daunting in equal parts. I’m currently writing this blog having handed in my draft paper on Monday, and I’m feeling much better about it now that this stage is done. My draft paper doesn’t have loads of paragraphs but it defines the paper in quite a bit of detail, per section and what I want to include in each. I feel that this gives me a really clear blueprint to then fill in the detail. I’m really enjoying the research part and have to stop myself from buying more books. (Note to self: spend more time at the library than perusing online second hand bookshops!)

I’m excited about the direction that my art is going in. I recently made an ink drawing as an interpretation of the number Pi, and really enjoyed the process. I have been really inspired by the data driven works I’ve seen in the Electric Dreams exhibition, and the data visualisation/data art that I’ve been researching for my paper. I’m starting to feel a next direction to take my own practice that will be meaningful and intriguing to explore.

Before I knew it, we ran out of time and the session was finished but I found it very worthwhile.

It’s always good to have these opportunities to talk to Jonathan directly, as I find that the sessions challenge me but also calm me somehow. I often feel a bit frazzled going into the session, but come out feeling smoother and more in control. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how Jonathan does this, but I wish I could bottle it up!