Hello and welcome to my PPP blog! To kick off my blog and give context to where I've come from and where I'm wanting to head next in my practice, I thought I would make an introduction post. This will enable me to reflect on where I'm at and consider options for the future.
• Where have I been?
I'm fresh off the Access to HE course where I achieved distinctions in all modules. I'm a hard worker and am passionate about art and creativity, believing it transcends vision and encapsulates the human condition, emotion, expression and our wanting to connect with others. Before being at Vernon Street for a year, I volunteered at sight loss charities including Henshaws Society for Blind People, Action for Blind People, Guide Dogs and the RNIB. Campaigning with the RNIB on the behalf of other young visually impaired and blind people across England, I had the privilege of speaking at both UK Parliament and European Parliament to MPs, MEPs, researchers and press to highlight key issues surrounding accessibility. I gave speeches at events for the other aforementioned charities and helped with social media content. I was the RNIB's Young Illustrator for the Year in 2014 which helped me to receive widespread attention for my emerging practice - receiving commissions from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, UK Scouts Magazine / Get Active! supplement, Foster Care Associates, Henshaws and One Man's Vision. I won the Gillian Lawrence Award in 2014 for being an inspiring role model and soon after was matched and trained with my Guide Dog, Tami. Tami presented a new opportunity to get back into education and, after being accepted onto Access, here I am wanting to embark on my art degree!
• Where am I now?
I've currently moved away from my home in Manchester and now live in Leeds. I've stayed for weeks at a time away from home with Tami while undertaking campaign work and advocacy, so I am not phased by living on my own permanently. I am, however, nervous for starting a new course with new people who are going to be much younger than what I've been used to on the access course; designed specifically for mature students. How will they react to my disability? Will I make friends easily? I have the benefit of knowing the guys in the student Union as I've been a Student Rep and Student Ambassador for the Access course and will be performing new duties as a Student Governor meaning more Exec meetings with these awesome guys! I have just lost my grandad, my best friend, over the summer to Pneumonia and heart failure so his loss is propelling me forward to achieve my dreams.
I've currently moved away from my home in Manchester and now live in Leeds. I've stayed for weeks at a time away from home with Tami while undertaking campaign work and advocacy, so I am not phased by living on my own permanently. I am, however, nervous for starting a new course with new people who are going to be much younger than what I've been used to on the access course; designed specifically for mature students. How will they react to my disability? Will I make friends easily? I have the benefit of knowing the guys in the student Union as I've been a Student Rep and Student Ambassador for the Access course and will be performing new duties as a Student Governor meaning more Exec meetings with these awesome guys! I have just lost my grandad, my best friend, over the summer to Pneumonia and heart failure so his loss is propelling me forward to achieve my dreams.
• Where do I want to go?
After I have completed my degree course, it is my dream to become a children's book illustrator. I want to be able to connect with an audience of children, both fully abled and disabled, and share with them the magical memories I have of picture books as a child - giving the sense of wonderment and excitement to a new generation. I want to demonstrate through illustrations the morals that underpin us as good, honest and hardworking people as well as a big focus on accessibility, inclusion and equality. We are all the same despite our differences.
After I have completed my degree course, it is my dream to become a children's book illustrator. I want to be able to connect with an audience of children, both fully abled and disabled, and share with them the magical memories I have of picture books as a child - giving the sense of wonderment and excitement to a new generation. I want to demonstrate through illustrations the morals that underpin us as good, honest and hardworking people as well as a big focus on accessibility, inclusion and equality. We are all the same despite our differences.
• What do I want to achieve on this course?
While studying on the illustration course, I want to be able to develop a better understanding of the creative industries and contemporary illustration as a practice as well as to learn more about successful illustrators and their work ethic, how they juggle the uncertainly of having this kind of job and how they keep projects fresh and exciting. What influences them and their aesthetic? Their choice of projects? I would like to learn more about different kinds of illustration such as editorial, reportage and book illustration - in particular.
While studying on the illustration course, I want to be able to develop a better understanding of the creative industries and contemporary illustration as a practice as well as to learn more about successful illustrators and their work ethic, how they juggle the uncertainly of having this kind of job and how they keep projects fresh and exciting. What influences them and their aesthetic? Their choice of projects? I would like to learn more about different kinds of illustration such as editorial, reportage and book illustration - in particular.
• Why did I choose LCA?
After making the decision in early 2015 that I wanted to get back into further education, I looked into various art colleges up and down the country. Manchester was the closest to me as well as Bolton - but on open days their campuses didn't inspire me and I felt like a hinderance in asking for help and support. LCA was recommended to me by someone I worked alongside in Henshaws, as she completed her foundation here many moons ago, so I booked onto the open day and sorted out my train tickets. After visiting and listening to Adam's lecture (who would go on to be my tutor) I knew this was the place for me. The facilities are fantastic and the staff and technicians want nothing more than to ensure I'm happy and comfortable in a busy environment. I love the guys in the Student Union too as look forward to spending more time with them this year!
After making the decision in early 2015 that I wanted to get back into further education, I looked into various art colleges up and down the country. Manchester was the closest to me as well as Bolton - but on open days their campuses didn't inspire me and I felt like a hinderance in asking for help and support. LCA was recommended to me by someone I worked alongside in Henshaws, as she completed her foundation here many moons ago, so I booked onto the open day and sorted out my train tickets. After visiting and listening to Adam's lecture (who would go on to be my tutor) I knew this was the place for me. The facilities are fantastic and the staff and technicians want nothing more than to ensure I'm happy and comfortable in a busy environment. I love the guys in the Student Union too as look forward to spending more time with them this year!
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