Return to Ballyvaughan

My second semester at BCA has begun. The flight to Shannon was an absolute delight. I was seated beside an exceedingly courteous older gentleman. My vegetarian meal was the best I have had on an airline with the exception of Lufthansa. Lightly browned tofu, sautéed veg, salad with lemon vinaigrette, fruit cup boasting legit pineapple. Noteworthy. I passed on the in-flight entertainment and donned the headphones. Lights-out and I actually dozed for the duration. It was lovely.
Luisa and I rendezvoused with some of the new BCA kids at Shannon airport. An hour or so of waiting in arrivals and suddenly Karen and Brian crept up behind us and soon we were exchanging happy new years. It was then that it began to feel like I was home again.

The first weekend was quiet. We attended the walk around Ballyvaughan so we could partake of the free scones and coffee at Logue's. Passed on the tour of the Burren in favor of a quiet Sunday to finish unpacking and settling in. Skipped some of the orientation events we had already experienced. Set up in the studios.

Checking out the new space.

A rare glare from the studio/roommate.

The routine trip to Galway went well. I stocked up on soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, rice and the essentials at the relatively new asian food store on Abbeygate street. Found some quality salmon steaks at Deacy's (across High st. from the lovely spot I got the famous green hat), which I picked up for a pittance. Prepared them that night in the usual style (pan-seared in soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, scallions) and served on a bed of buttery couscous. Asian fusion in Ireland, I'm living the dream!

Met some friends outside Penney's.

Blythe and her amazing colors.

The sign outside the tea shop near the docks.

Scrawled in an alley by the shopping center.

The first week of classes piled the work on heavily, but I have already begun on everything. Sculpture presents the greatest challenges, I am out of my depth but eager to prove myself somehow. I have settled on the topic "Underworld" for independent study drawing. Lots of German expressionism in my future. I am exploring glitch art in my painting, and I am excited to see how it translates to canvas. I will need to buy cyan oil color in Dublin as the shade is unmixable with my current palette. Already have some leftover magenta in the box of left materials from fall semester students. I am trying for a CGA-influenced palette in case that didn't come across! (Please google any unfamiliar terminology if you are interested.)

Friday's work: stapled and gesso'd canvas with a preliminary sketch.

First piece for independent drawing. Already have my title.

Detail of Manikin in progress.

So far I am enjoying momentum in my projects. There have been many culinary endeavors: Turkish red lentil soup, messala (a mess of whatever veg I had on hand plus garam masala), The Great Tofu Experiment, potato and parsnip crisps, chocolate chip cookies. Overall high success rate. Last Tuesday also saw the first of our set dancing classes at Logue's. We have arranged to meet each week at 8:30, and it is only €3 a head. Plus an excuse for a mid-week pint. So far we are all tripping over our feet, but we have made a pact to set proverbial fire to the dance floor by semester's end. More soon.