Mike's birthday

Well, what do you give to the man who has everything, I had some great replies from my plea on face book and in the end
he should have had a magnet chick ! I wish I had bought it, but Mike modelled it in the shop, He was another year older on Sunday 22nd May and was not interested in celebrating ! I dressed up in clim film with a big bow round my neck, delivered a silver platter with lid from an old railway dining car serving up new underpants and a cook book he quite liked it ! ...............

Savannah highlights ......

The Scad Fashion Show was supposed to be the highlight of the year,we were very excited and I had luckily been given a ticket by my new friend in Fashion Dean Sidaway from London who had kindly offered to take me. The tickets it turned out cost $50.00 and Mike and a friend Julie Lieberman went as a couple ! but ended up paying $100.00 for the worst seats in the house, no proper view, a fan next to them and a spotlight to interfere with the proceedings . To crown it all the gentleman shoe designer Manolo Blahnik had come to collect a life time award spoke for twenty seconds and forgot he was in Savannah ! I felt cheated and most of all for the students and parents who had travelled great distances in the USA for a fifty minute extravaganza that sadly did not live up to its expectation. I remember many a speech at graduation at the University of Portsmouth where artists and designers, the great and lovely Chancellor, the actress, Sheila Hancock took time to encourage and inspire the next generation of talent.

However what was a better night was the SCAD performing arts excellent production of The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical Hair at their theatre, in downtown Savannah. Mike was in his absolute element and tapped along to every song. The theatre was full and we even got up at the end and danced on the stage with the hunky man in the photo!

Two Weeks to go ............

There is a definite change in the wind rumbling through Morris Hall where I teach,

Students and staff alike have got that end of termitis ! final assignments looming, end of year grades to submit and the energy by all to keep on going is just about sustainable.  When only half of my class turned up, I mentioned  the spanish moss had tumbled through the open window across the empty seats, the ability to keep up they say is almost impossible,  I think we call it time management . One of my students mournfully admitted that homesickness had just become too much and overwhelmed her, she was struggling ..... I have sympathy.
It is a very strict building in Illustration we have a wonderful security guard called Mrs Daniells who everyone has the upmost respect for, including "Mr Mair " Mike Cross who has not the heart to explain his real name. She sits in the entrance hall to keep an eye on the proceedings and everyones I.D. No student can enter without it . Woe betide you if you come without shoes as my student found to his cost, he was forced to be inventive to get to class on time. On the note of timekeeping there is a very precise code for attendance, which many UK Universities could benefit from, later than 15 minutes you are marked absent, four absences and you fail. Its harsh and can be too harsh in certain circumstances , but it works ............

 

I am teaching a Masters class and have found the process intriguing , we have been pushing the idea of working to projects set from outside the class, one for a hospital ward and another for Working Class Studio which is a product development venture of Savannah College of Art and Design. The aim is to cultivate and promote the work of talented SCAD students alumni and faculty artists. This innovative concept for an educational institution marries function with fine art to deliver  a well curated and ever expanding mix of goodies in retail stores internationally.

SCAD also has their own shop, which has been a great source for presents. Have a peek at  www.workingclassstudio.com  

Silliness can still abound and the one thing that can keep you going is laughter, there is still plenty of that to fill the classroom . I am learning about cuddle buddies you take up with , to keep you warm in winter, to save on heating ,  plus a few other choice mates too flavour some to mention......

The things we do.................

Its not just a girl thing getting your nails done! Mike Cross can't bear to be left out and was lured in by the lovely women in the Nail Bar, he was treated for all his hard work to a deluxe  pedicure with hot wax feet bags, mud packs on the thighs followed by a polish up with two large pebbles !

Another Mothers Day May 8th

Another day to celebrate being a mother we were invited to brunch by Ed and Lisa

her mother was visiting from Port Rica and put us all to shame with her energy and joie de vivre.

Scrummy waffles and mimosas to boot what a delightful way to start a Sunday ! They say that we are never further  away than six people we know in the world, Ed Briant the Illustrator here in Savannah  and I have found this to be the case once chatting about old friends in London. He is off to pastures new in Maine and an exciting new life with his new wife to be Lisa Jahn Clough the book illustrator. 

As we sat sipping our drinks we felt as though we were back  in Mexico,  their house had a magical almost Frida Khalo feel to the studios , I felt extremely  envious of Ed's wallspace and couch to lie down on when the painting got too much.