Little collage close up. #AbbieCairns #TextArt #Collage #NewArt #CutAndPaste

Something is emerging from the studio. #AbbieCairns #TextArt #NewArt #Collage #CutAndPaste

When you know what you want tonsay but dont necessarily have the right letters to spell it out... #AbbieCairns #NewArt #TextArt #EducatorArtistResearcher #Studio

EAR at work. Went for a treasure hunt around the studio to find these letter templates! Reusing some old art painted white as my canvas. #AbbieCairns #NewArt #TextArt #EducatorArtistResearcher #Studio

Thinking about constellations

I am delighted to share that my article, "An Exploratory Methodological Pilot of Likert Scale for Dual Identities as a Reflective Elicitation Tool in Further Education Identity Research", has been accepted for publication in Education + Training Journal.

Some more arrows. 🔄 Digital art to avoid the very hot studio. 🌞 #AbbieCairns #Arrows #DigitalArt #Pencil #NewArt

An attempt was made to not get covered in ink. It failed and the gloves came off quickly! But I had quite a lot of fun playing with printmaking! #AbbieCairns #CreativeColchester #Prink #Ink #NewArt

Out with the old! I quite enjoyed destroying this old artwork! And I am excited to see what will come next. #AbbieCairns #Studio #OldArt #NewArt #ColchesterArtist

Ideas continue to grow and I've got the lino out to explore them. I enjoy dipping into print every now and then! #AbbieCairns #CreativeColchester #Print #Lino #Studio

This week we ask how do second‑chance programmes rebuild motivation and confidence for young people who left school early? Paper: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... #SpotlightSundays #JVET

A little bit of colouring in. #AbbieCairns #TextArt #ArtStudio #EveryoneIsAnEAR #CreativeColchester

Some stencil work going on in a VERY hot studio. This idea has come from some conference prep. And now I think it might become an exhibition 🤔 Excited to get back to some text art. #AbbieCairns #TextArt #NewArt #ArtStudio #ColchesterArtist

We like to play with our text and titles. Tina.bullen And we quite like the idea of freedom. Exhibition prep is well in hand. #AbbieCairns #TinaBullen #Power #Freedom #Exhibition

What is in a title? SO much! tina.bullen and I are crossing the t's and dotting the i's! Played with these at today's 37queenst SPACE peer-to-peer session! #AbbieCairns #TinaBullen #Collaboration #Power #CreativeColchester

An attempt at exhibition prep was made, but the printer was not playing I am actually quite enjoying the aesthetics of these so they may become something new! #AbbieCairns #TinaBullen #Collaboration #Power #TextArt

Order and chaos #AbbieCairns #Arrows #DigitalArt #Pencil #NewArt

This week we ask how do vocational educators actually learn to teach: through courses, or through relationships, craft, and experience? Paper: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... #SpotlightSundays #JVET

Some digital play with some arrows. Thinking about layers and transparency. Movement and stillness. #AbbieCairns #Arrows #DigitalArt #Pencil #NewArt

now. Not later. My little figure is demanding. #AbbieCairns #Figure #Drawing #sketch #biro

The POWER Project is coming to an end (which is lucky, given it goes on display in August!) Excited to bring power to the people! #AbbieCairns #TinaBullen #Power #Collaboration #CreativeColchester

Open Call for Papers: International perspectives on academisation, tertiarisation and hybridisation of vocational education: Between problem-solving, imitation and/or unintended consequences 29 May 2026: Close of call for abstracts More information can be found here: www.jvet.uk/journal-info...

I am pleased to be exhibiting again this year with my Grandad, David Piercy, as we take over the pop-up space at The Minories for Summer Sizzle. Expect sculptures, figures, collages, and more. The Minories, Colchester 27th–30th August 2026 Open Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm

We had a wonderful final session of May! A lovely way to round off the month! Join us in June for more arty chats! #SPACE #SPACEColchester #SPACEPeerToPeer #CreativeColchester #37QueenSt

Pastels and pen. #AbbieCairns #Arrow #CreativeColchester #ArtStudio #Pastel

It has been wonderful to be involved in both the editorial process and as a contributor to the publication. I am especially pleased to have my article, A Case Study of Networks of Enterprises in FE, included in the collection.

Look what has arrived! The perfect bank holiday reading — a physical copy of Research to Transgress: Flourishing Voices in Further Education and Skills from the Learning and Skills Research Network.

A was presenting research on“Navigating Values, Policies, and Practice: An Autoethnographic Account of Transitioning from Artist-Teacher to Teacher Educator.” It was a joy to share an autoethnographic story and contribute to conversations around identity, values, and professional transition.

I also attended some inspiring sessions exploring anti-racist practice, memory-responsive pedagogies, and creative approaches to professional identity work through autoethnography and comics.

Today’s keynotes prompted important reflections on policy, belonging, and the future of teacher education. Particularly thought-provoking were the discussions around belonging as a pedagogical imperative in creating more inclusive futures for beggining teachers.

Another great day at the British Educational Research Association (BERA) TEAN Conference!

More arrows, but pastels. #AbbieCairns #Arrow #CreativeColchester #ArtStudio #Pastel

Round and round or up and down? New ideas are coming and they are colourful. #AbbieCairns #Arrows #Art #NewArt #ArtStudio

Thinking about arrows and direction. Bit of Sunday sketching. #AbbieCairns #CreativeColchester #Sunday #SundaySketch #ArtStudio

Hidden letters. Hidden words. #AbbieCairns #CreativeColchester #TextArt #HiddenArt #AutomaticWriting

Wooden boards and automatic writing. Making the old new. Disrupting text. #AbbieCairns #TextArt #DIYart #ArtStudio #CreativeColchester

Some studio play. Wood, paint pens, text. Look art! #AbbieCairns #TextArt #Studio #NewArt #WorkInProgress

Power is golden! Really enjoying the difference layers in this one! #AbbieCairns #Power #TinaBullen #Collaboration #ColchesterArtist

I am pleased to share my own article: A Case Study of Networks of Enterprises in Further Education (pp. 19–21). The paper presents a qualitative case study exploring how an FE teacher engaged with the Network of Enterprises as a reflective tool. lsrn.wordpress.com/news-events/

This week the latest LSRN publication Research to Transgress: Flourishing Voices in Further Education and Skills went live! The collection brings together research presented at the 2025 LSRN conference, offering a rich snapshot of current practitioner inquiry. lsrn.wordpress.com/news-events/

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ www.routledge.com/Exploring-yo...

If you are local, do come along to explore the trail, visit studios and gardens, and support local creative practice.

If you pop by No. 2, you can expect to see text-based work, line drawings, and a new interactive piece from me. From David Piercy, there will be sculpture, paintings, and other works on display too.

This much-loved local event brings together artists and makers from Rowhedge and beyond, showcasing creative work across the village. I will be exhibiting alongside my grandad, David Piercy.

Less than a week to go until the Rowhedge Art Trail 2026, and the selecting and packing has begun. Saturday 9 May & Sunday 10 May 11am–5pm Rowhedge, Essex #AbbieCairns #DavidPiercy #RowhedgeArtTrail #CreativeColchester #SaveTheDate

LSRN is now accepting abstracts for our first MA in Education conference,  Emerging Voices in MA Education. Submit your 200–300 word abstract here by 31st May, 2026: lnkd.in/eZajzdAq Notification of decisions: 15th June, 2026 Date: 4 July 2026 Time: 10:30–14:30 (BST) Format: Online Cost: Free

Maybe I should say somet... Or maybe not! rowhedge.art.trail preparations for next weekend are underway! #AbbieCairns #RowhedgeArtTrail #CreativeColchester #SaveTheDate #TextArt

Some old power! This work no longer exists. #AbbieCairns #TinaBullen #Power #Collaboration #Art

Opening this weekend! I am pleased to share that my work Can I be an artist has been selected for the exhibition The Things We Learn to Ignore. The exhibition takes place at Artsy Image Studios, with the opening evening on 2 May. 2 Phoenix Court, Hawkins Road, Colchester CO2 8LA. #AbbieCairns

Artwork delivered! ​I am so pleased to have dropped off my work this morning at Artsy Image Studios for the upcoming exhibition, “The Things We Learn to Ignore,” curated by the wonderful Alicia Doel. Opening Evening: 2 May Artsy Image Studios, 2 Phoenix Court, Hawkins Road, Colchester CO2 8LA