Busy Bee
Sadly there’s no rest for the wicked. Since I finished my degree I have been flat out six or seven days a week for most of the time. I currently have to split my time between my every day job in a coffee shop, my printmaking career and my freelance work. I probably could have managed my time a bit better but who wants that when you can forget about your problems with work!
I was very lucky to be able to take part in the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair in which I entered my series of playing card etchings. It was pretty sweet to hear feedback from the fair managers who were particularly fond of my work even after I had been doubting my place there.
Though bittersweet, I also recently graduated. The moment seemed to have come and gone like lightning and yet still feels so distant in the past. I would comment on how I felt walking across the stage at the ceremony, but I had been that nervous that my memory was completely overridden. What I can say is that my degree has been an absolute pleasure, I get emotional thinking about my time there. I made some outstanding friends and was taught by the most incredible tutors I could have ever hoped for. I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Thankfully I managed to get a bit of respite while visiting my parents in France. I spent most of my time drawing, cuddling my dogs and eating some incredible food. In the past I never really spent much time drawing outside, it used to dredge up quite a lot of social anxiety for me. But when you get to a point where you just don’t care anymore, it becomes really freeing, being able to illustrate the places i’ve been instead of photograph them is a real treat.
Another exciting moment has been my debut exhibition. I created a series of prints and paintings with the intent of flipping the negative emotions I had been feeling, and turning them into a beatiful physical creation. The process certainly took its toll but hearing the reception from the visitors of my private view made it worth it.
Recently I have had the honour of working with the Fen Ditton Gallery, where I took part in their Young Collectors podcast and spoke about my experience working at The Print Studio, Cambridge. Even if I was bricking it at the start, I eventually got into the groove and really enjoyed showing people the prints I had the privilege of working on.
After such a whirlwind period of time, i’m focusing more on creating art that I enjoy and taking time to relax. We will see what happens this year, i’m optimistic, driven and moisturised.