3rd workshop, Friday 24th June
This visit was successful for me in terms of the project. Though I was prepared and looking forward to working with Fiona again, it was also nice to be introduced to another patient and kind of "re-do" my first proper interaction with a patient.
We all set up and were ready to work — tables being set up outside and in. To be honest, it was a beautiful day and spirits started off very high. After a talk about euthanasia, the mood had changed somewhat. I introduced to project to the group after this talk. But, as predicted by Gerry, the mood rose again as we begun talking to the patients. There were a fair few new faces, and it was nice to see discussion pick up so easily.
Eunice was absolutely darling. I explained the project to her once more, and began asking her if she had any objects of significance. There was a slight shyness to her at the beginning; she seemed somewhat timid. I ensured that the object didn't necessarily have to pertain a memory that was secret or too emotional, it could be as simple as a favourite cushion. She began to talk about a doll she had when she was a little girl — "plastic". "up-and-down", "little". She mentioned, "back home there wasn't very many toys so you'd just carry your doll around". I found it interesting that this doll was something you'd care for, carry around with you, keep safe.
I asked her if she was interested in drawing her doll and she did so meticulously. Unfortunately our session was cut short by the fact that she had a previous appointment. I didn't mind; I was just happy that she was such a lovely woman. She was very happy to draw and experiment with mark making, and wanted to be as accurate as she could with her drawings. However, I liked that each version of her doll had a different attribute to it, a little detail that made it particularly special.
After she left, I created cyanotypes with the acetates drawings she made. If Eunice is there next Friday, I'd like to take her through the process— but until then I've tried cyanotypes, and I'll also transfer the drawing to clay to plaster it.
I really enjoyed my time with Eunice. A wonderfully warm person.
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Overall, for many reasons, it was a very sad and overwhelming session. As a group, we faced the reality of working with those who are coming to the end of their life, and I left the hospice forlorn. There's a certain fragility to people that resides in everyone, despite how fresh they appear.
This visit was successful for me in terms of the project. Though I was prepared and looking forward to working with Fiona again, it was also nice to be introduced to another patient and kind of "re-do" my first proper interaction with a patient.
We all set up and were ready to work — tables being set up outside and in. To be honest, it was a beautiful day and spirits started off very high. After a talk about euthanasia, the mood had changed somewhat. I introduced to project to the group after this talk. But, as predicted by Gerry, the mood rose again as we begun talking to the patients. There were a fair few new faces, and it was nice to see discussion pick up so easily.
Eunice was absolutely darling. I explained the project to her once more, and began asking her if she had any objects of significance. There was a slight shyness to her at the beginning; she seemed somewhat timid. I ensured that the object didn't necessarily have to pertain a memory that was secret or too emotional, it could be as simple as a favourite cushion. She began to talk about a doll she had when she was a little girl — "plastic". "up-and-down", "little". She mentioned, "back home there wasn't very many toys so you'd just carry your doll around". I found it interesting that this doll was something you'd care for, carry around with you, keep safe.
I asked her if she was interested in drawing her doll and she did so meticulously. Unfortunately our session was cut short by the fact that she had a previous appointment. I didn't mind; I was just happy that she was such a lovely woman. She was very happy to draw and experiment with mark making, and wanted to be as accurate as she could with her drawings. However, I liked that each version of her doll had a different attribute to it, a little detail that made it particularly special.
After she left, I created cyanotypes with the acetates drawings she made. If Eunice is there next Friday, I'd like to take her through the process— but until then I've tried cyanotypes, and I'll also transfer the drawing to clay to plaster it.
I really enjoyed my time with Eunice. A wonderfully warm person.
----------
Overall, for many reasons, it was a very sad and overwhelming session. As a group, we faced the reality of working with those who are coming to the end of their life, and I left the hospice forlorn. There's a certain fragility to people that resides in everyone, despite how fresh they appear.
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