Northern Ireland-bound

Yes.

Today at six pm, I set out with my boyfriend and sister to embark on an adventure towards Northern Ireland; Belfast to be more specific. Why, you may ask? 

Well, for one thing, none of us have ever been to Ireland and we've heard pretty stories regarding its scenic beauty. Of course we're aware of the unrest over there in recent times, but we aim to avoid that and simply enjoy our holiday. And that's the plan, plain and simple. We will enjoy our short break away. It will be worth it, no doubt, and it was actually affordable for us students. The downside to a cheap journey is that it is terribly awkward: in twelve hours' time I will be sitting on a coach for twelve hours onwards as we travel from Birmingham to Belfast by coach and ferry. Twelve bloody hours sat down, I think I might die during this time, however as long as the end result is worth it I can deal with that. 

Okay, perhaps I haven't been keeping up to speed with this blog just yet. Unfortunately, I've had a very busy few weeks, and I recounted last night in bed. The past week has been spent replacing the garden fence - which involves eighteen concrete posts and eighteen fence panels and digging in the most awful clay soil you could imagine. Now after you imagine that, place rocks, bricks, concrete and various other crap buried by previous builders rammed down those post holes we attempt to dig. It is soul destroying. 

The week before that a friend of the family visited, and back further still I was at Download Festival as many who have read this blog may already know from my earlier ramblings and squealing about just how fantastic a time I had that weekend. 

Artwork has been posted on here though, rest assured, albeit one portrait. But that portrait has an extensive explanation to it if you choose to look in my rather small archive to the right. Any comments on the both versions of course would be greatly appreciated. 

But, I digress. 

I have many projects planned for the summer duration, and I will complete most of them, if not all of them. The first of which being the second portrait of my Little Fire series, and the second being a scene, recreated from my memory, of one of the best experiences of my life so far. Then, being in Ireland for the best part of a week, I'm sure that will spark even more inspiration for random, one-pieces sooner or later. If not, I am taking my camera with me and my amateur photography skills will most likely make a show here eventually. Who doesn't take photos on holiday? I most certainly do, and I intend to take some photographs worthy of this blog. Yes, I enthuse about photography as well as my specific line of art and design. 

I like to branch out. 

But to make things OH so much better...

I passed first year with flying colours! 

Hurrah!

I achieved 69.5%, averaging my four grades. I was so close! 0.5% off getting a First for the first year of my degree. I think that's good going. The single semester module let me down a tad and I know it, however I know exactly where to improve over the next year. If it wasn't for the Drawing Elective I would be soaring right about now. 

Highest grade: 79% for Historical Contextual Studies. Now that surprised me. But overall, I'm still so happy about these results. My hard work shows, I reckon, despite my shouts and tantrums about how the results of my work never seemed to reflect my efforts. 

And on that high flying note, I will leave you there! Keep a look out for upcoming pictures from Ireland (after I return of course!) and maybe even some digital artwork inspired by the dainty little Ireland. 

Hwyl fawr fy mhobl! 

Nachos x