Presentation Notes

Hello!

-my practice as established -

 I am a printmaker, storyteller, multidisciplinary, low-fi artist. Not what i expected to become, but i’m happy with my development. 

Highs and lows over the past few years 

-getting my work sold and out there! 

Actually saw someone buy my first piece of work ever at colours may vary

Very affirming in my practice

making work that i wanna make- Like Ben says, if you wanna paint a rocket paint a rocket (or something similar) 

Cop taught me that i love a good investigation into a project (if i keep up momentum) 

Discovering my favourite joy is hands on-especially ceramics. Something beautiful about them, i love the process and physicality of it all. 

Lows- 

Letting life stuff get in the way, having a terrible work ethic, being sad and letting that affect my uni work ie not making much work. I regret the potential, but don’t think i’d do anything differently. 

HYDE PARK FLOWER CLUB 

Was so exciting, they were looking for local female artists, and approached me on instagram. 

established a connection and working relationship with the owners and other artists through it. 

Selling work is income, and validation! 

Freedom and control over what i stock, negotiated payment and they understand my priorities are uni work. 

Want to stock in more shops! Grateful for the opportunity. 

The Piece that they were most into,and got me the most sales and recognition was actually a piece that didn’t do well in university grading! What does this tell me? That uni grades don’t (neccessarily) measure success

Importance of Instagram to me! 

Set up my page last year as a kind of blog, more than anything. It has grown quite a bit in  a year which is cool and I'm grateful for! 

DM’s

Where i get in touch with other artists, where they contact me

Its where anyone wanting to stock my work/commission me applies 

It’s also currently where people would buy my wok from

Advertising- 

It started from making one tshirt of freddie mercury and a cat for my partner’s birthday, and he went out in it, and then demand for it grew! Sold them at hpfc and online and in print fairs, been such a good income from one or two designs! Mad that people want to buy them, i still get requests for more! 

Plans for more print fairs, stock in more shops, and I'm very excited to fully set u p my online shop! 

Joy of people wanting my work! 

Gives me an idea of income, and where i’d sit in the creative community- 

Know i don’t want to freelance as have no self discipline,

Ideally Would like a work/life balance and have it as a secondary income. 

PAYE job 

Ideally want one that doesn’t drain my creative juices, and maybe something with a little bit of distance from illustration (for now) 

I would like a proper job because i need security and a guaranteed  income, as i have terrible work ethic,

 and am not very good at prescribed work,

 and definitely not as an editorial artist. 

I like research projects that are about things i wanna explore. 

I also need a hands-on role, because that’s where i’m happiest, 

I also want a job where I can make a difference, or is fulfilling in some way. 

Too much to ask? 

Travel and work abroad-

I think it’s valid to want some time off, and to do something completely different at this point. It feels like choosing not to jump off a springboard, but there's so much time for that. BUT also, i know it’s important to not lose momentum and walk away completely from it all.  BUT doing an MA is out of the question right now. 

I know it’s possible to have good balance- 

Audrey Weber 

Know from her contact report last year that she has a work/illustration/life balance 

Seems to suit her quite well, structure gives her time to set aside for illustration and for relaxing too. Her ‘day job’ doesn’t consume her creative energy.

The roles i were hoping to go into i've since researched and definitely don't wanna do 

They all require further education, which I can't afford, and can’t be arsed with. 18 years in education and i'm sick of it now! 

Art therapist?

Cousin is Head of Arts Therapies Adult Mental Health & Learning Disability Service, spoke to her about it and there's a lot more to it than...

2-4 years training, 60 days on placement, requiring you to pay for and take your own personal therapy during the course...what does that say about it….. 

Don’t last very long in the role either-maybe a waste of time?  But it would be fulfilling…

Madame tussauds- 

I have reached out to the creative workshop manager at madame tussauds, and sent off a range of images and a link to my instagram, asking for work experience and being very excited about it- 

Even if i don’t get anything from it, i’ve got my name out there and asked for something that i want to be a part of! 

After uni, i think that the most important thing for me is to not give up, and to keep momentum, keep asking for what i want, keep getting involved, and take control of my life, steer it in a direction that makes me happy!