Fine Art Pre-Foundation course, Morley College/London

Recently, I went and signed up to do a 12 weeks Fine Art Pre-Foundation course at Morley College in London.

http://www.morleycollege.ac.uk

Right now, I think, we are into the 5th week of the course.

Week 1 - Introduction to Abstract Drawing

Week 2 - Introduction to Life Drawing from the nude model

Week 3 - Introduction to Abstract Printmaking

Week 4 - Introduction to Abstract Sculpture

Week 5 - Introduction to Sculpture(2 weeks project/1 day per week)

I like being on the course; as I always find doing arts, fun; though, I dislike having to go follow any strict rules! However, I'm also willing to lose, at least, some of my sense of freedom, in order to join in and do a course which appeals to me, by forcing myself to follow the rules.

I'm way behind on not having gone and done any homework. There is so much still to do...

-Create a life size full head/body nude self-portrait using any materials...ranging from paper/pencil to paper cut outs/-etc.

- Fill up a sketch book from end to end.

- Write essays about certain artists.

- Go and visit, at least, 3 different art galleries...chose 1 work you like/1 work you dislike...then, write in detail about these; when was it created/by who/where/the paintings history/context/-etc.

- Do a series of random rubbings. Then, copy these using freehand.

- Create a colour wheel.

- Create some colour works which are based on using the colour wheel.

- At each stage, always remember to fully document your work.

-Etc.

My major difficulty has been that my mind, quite simply, refuses to keep still; instead, it just keeps on wondering from place to place...and, none of those places is thinking about getting on with doing the homework; thus, making it really hard for me to be able to fully concentrate on achieving anything. Maybe, they will drop me off the course, I really don't know?!

Worse still, even if I were to stay on the course right up to the end; and, then, I would be eligible for doing Art Foundation Proper; I'm sure, that course would last even far longer as in maybe a whole entire year. So, if I can't even keep up with doing the homework, now; I wonder how I'm going to cope with doing the increased homework, later?! On top of all this is the fact that I have some HUGE money problems to have to cope with; which are far too deeply embarrassing to be able to list here; and, so, it's far more important for me to find a paying 'job', right NOW! As opposed to staying in college which isn't paying me, at all.

Gambled and lost at williamhill.co.uk

Yesterday, as usual, I was winning money at...

http://www.williamhill.co.uk

...then, I started losing...letting myself get completely carried away without even thinking clearly about what I'm doing...I started betting far too high in order to chase after winning back all of my loses; and, thus, ended up losing £300.00 in a single bet! That's when I decided to quit; before I went and lost absolutely everything; I did originally deposit £600.00.

I have an awful lot of bills to pay; so, I was hoping to be able to, at least, double my money; but, instead, I went and halved it. Gambling just isn't a good solution when it comes to solving money problems; because, instead of making things better...it will often make things far worse!

Started gambling for real money...Poker lost £45!

Well, I been playing at Zynga Poker now for what must be months. I thought I had gone and honed my skills to reach a certain point where I was getting really good at winning.

Before I used to find it really difficult to make it through to Round 1 shootout tournaments; but, yesterday, for example, I won Round 1...5 times...and, ended a runner up in Round 2 the same amount of times. Though, I never quite made it through to Round 3, yet?!

That's when I decided to go and switch to playing Poker for 'real' money instead of 'play' money. Unfortunately, straight away, I ended up losing £45.00! Quite typically, whenever I use play money I win easily/but, when I play for real money I lose easily.

I feel pretty deeply ashamed of myself; as I only had £60.00 balance left inside my bank a/c.; and, so, I've gone and wasted more than half of it all. I don't even have enough money left to be able to pay for my regular monthly bus pass costing £26.50 anymore?! Gambling 'addiction' is a very bitter drug, indeed!

Went Morley College only to find they were closed!

22:59 PM I've just come back in, again; from having had a long day out.

10:30 AM I went to The Creative Writing Course (Taster session) at West Norwood Library; and, did thoroughly enjoy it; can't wait to get to go back there next week, again. I brought Erica the host a 2nd hand bike which she liked; but, she said I would have to bring along it to Kingswood House tomorrow; as she can't ride, yet.

3 PM I went to McKenzie Boxercise gym. Clinton McKenzie wasn't in; instead, I went and spoke to his secretary; she said she would leave him a message for me; and, I promised I would turn up there tomorrow, Wednesday.

3:30 PM My original intention was to go ride my bike all the way to Morley College; but, then, when I got to Brixton; I decided to go into Halfords bike shop where I brought it from, in the first place; and, because I brought it with a 3 year repairs warranty; and, certain parts weren't working properly; therefore, I ended up leaving it inside of the shop to get properly repaired. There were 3 things wrong...1 of the pedals is broken/the front part of the bike has certain parts the wrong way around so it's making loads of unnecessary noise/and, also, it keeps on constantly slipping gears.

4PM In Brixton, I took the opportunity to go and see my best friend Errol Townsend. Unfortunately, his mum isn't well; she's in hospital having suffered a 2nd stroke. We talked for a bit; then, I explained that I've got to leave early in order to get to Morley College on time; as I must walk; having no further bike.

5:30 PM I went to Morley College; but, was told the college is shut; so I must come back Monday, instead. 8 PM I went to see my cousin in Stockwell; only I forgot to take along the photograph; so, maybe, next time! She gave me one of her son Andrew silk shirts to remember him by.

8:30 PM In addition, I went to Clapham Leisure Centre; and, there I saw a Wing Chun martial arts class being performed. I was told the monthly fee would be £65; which included 3 classes each week. Austin Goh is the head; and, the class is run by one of his top students.

To think, I walked all the way to Morley College from West Norwood; and, then, back, again. I wouldn't exactly say that I was fit; otherwise, I would have run; but, at least, I can still move. ;-)

Today, I heard that my first cousin Andrew died!

Today is Sunday 27th September 2009. At around 2PM my childhood friend Philip Blackwood came and knocked on the door; he only lives 2 streets away from me; unfortunately, our phone has been down for around a week or so; so nobody could phone us to tell us any news.

His story was that my first cousin Andrew had died on Friday night; apparently, he had brought himself a fast new motorcycle; and, it crashed somewhere along Anerley Road, Croydon.

I felt totally shocked! Especially, as he's the only one on that side of the family who I can actually get along with very well; the rest of them I just don't trust; they are older than me, and, therefore, tend to treat me with very little respect; but, he was younger -and, we both grew up happily together- so he respected me a lot. Of course, we've had our own fair share of ups and downs, too; but, mostly, we got along really very well, indeed.

It's so sad; and, he was only aged 43; which is 3 years younger than me. Of course, I will miss him, just ENORMOUSLY! When a really close family member dies; it's like a part of yourself has died inside, too; there will always be a HUGE GAP in my life from now on; someone really VERY IMPORTANT has gone missing!

He was 'extrovert'; me, I'm 'introvert'. So, he was a big compliment to my own personality; and, I suppose likewise. I got him to cool down a little bit.

Bye, Andrew, I will always LOVE YOU.../as well as, never ever forget you, too! Thanks so much for being not just family; but, also, a very warm and trustworthy friend.