Speech at Manchester Cathedral

I was very kindly invited to be a guest speaker at Manchester Cathedral tonight, in aid of Henshaws for their annual Carols by Candlelight service. I shared my sight loss journey, my decision to go back into education and get my illustration degree and the seeds planted so far in my practice that will bloom into something bigger in the future. It was nice to be able to take some time to reflect when drafting my speech over these past few weeks on how far I have come, especially in the past 2 academic years at Leeds College of Art, making substantial progress to becoming a much more informed, autonomous, evocative and enquiring illustrator. I feel like I've had a bit of a religious experience with being in such a beautiful and historic building - opening up my heart and sharing my life with a huge audience of hundreds of people; and with God. A lot of good things happen to me, like really amazing opportunities I could never even wished to have asked for, and also a lot of bad things. Many to do with my visual impairment, but others just general real-life crap.

This past year I lost my grandad who was essentially my second father. When I was little, my dad worked a lot to support my mum, brother and I so I didn't get to see him much. My mum was a young mother at the time of the late 80's, being 19, and relied on her parents a lot to take the pressure off of having two children. I grew so close to my Irish nana and grandad and learned so much from them about hard work, grafting and a strong family unit. My nana had a stroke in 1995, when I was 4 years old, and back in those days there wasn't much anyone could do - whereas now the effects can be reversed quite tremendously if it is treated quick enough. My nana was subsequently paralysed and couldn't speak and that is, unfortunately, how I remember her. This happened at the same time it was discovered that I was severely visually impaired, needing to go to London to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital most of the time for operations and it was a lot for my young mother to cope with. My grandad stepped in and was everything to me and my mum.

Losing him in the summer after a terrible series of injuries, eventually succumbing to pneumonia and heart failure, has been incredibly difficult to come to terms with. I've never dealt with death properly as I was shielded from my nana's death and this is my first proper experience. My mum and I wouldn't eat for days and had no desire to do anything from severe grief. The only thing that propelled us forward was the prospect of me going to university and living in a studio flat - where we would go out and buy little things here and there to decorate and make my stay more comfortable. This big loss, and the good and bad things that happen to me every day, have enabled me to find comfort in my faith. I am trying to find hope, support and comfort and feel like these are being slowly addressed in the Word and spending time tonight in the Cathedral has been a turning point.

Life Drawing Classes

• With discovering a newfound joy to observational drawing thanks to the Visual Language sessions, and the ability to unpick visual components each week, I signed up to the life drawing classes here at LCA to employ all of the new things I have been learning!

• One of my transformative moments during this first term has been the session on line quality - and how different tools can produce different variations when speed, pressure and thoughts / emotions come into play to effect the outcome. Using graphite stick and an ink brush pen were my favourite discoveries because of the aesthetic they bring; textured contours and outlines to an illustration that can vary depending on implication and motion. This really allows for light and shadow to be implied in the more inkier or drier areas. I liked using the contrast of the softer graphite with the harsher, more deliberate ink brush pen.

• I struggle with observational drawing because of my severe visual impairment, with only 8% central vision in my left eye - like looking down a tunnel - and only light perception in my right. I was made to feel very welcome at the life drawing sessions, people were very supportive of me and respectful of my Guide Dog, allowing me to get as close as possible to the models so I can see them in my field of useful vision. Photographs aren't allowed, which is completely understandable, so I couldn't use my trusty iPad! Because of how welcoming the sessions were I really began to settle, letting go of my setbacks and hardships and relax when drawing - just like everyone else - producing some work I am very proud of.

• Self-realisation of my own boundaries and limitations, and giving them the finger - giving things a bloody good go - shows my determination to become a better artist, designer, illustrator, practitioner and a better person. I can only compete with myself, attempting to become a better me, and not letting my disability get the better of me, as it has all of my life, has been key to my current happiness and feeling of self-worth.

• Observational drawing is something I really want to continue into the New Year and new term as it is so beneficial to draw, think and look on location - figuring out how an illustration can tell a narrative and what parts to omit or include, telling an interesting story of your individual journey. I have enjoyed the Visual Narratives module because of the observational drawing opportunities; having the ability to sit and draw buttons in Duttons for Buttons, and the people of Ilkley, to convey my trip there instead of just picture-perfect photographs.

Contextual Research: 3D Craft and Lens

Polly Becker

This is so charming! From what I can gather, it shows a family made up of their favourite objects or objects that represent them, along with a photograph of their face giving a realistic and representational grounding face. Cameras, a xylophone and a tiny violin for the children - representing youthful, innocent fun through music and exploration. Coloured thread and a needle for the mother, a quintessential and stereotypical pastime using feminine doll legs in a dainty pose, and the dad with his hammer showing the strength in his arms. Men do DIY and are strong! The simple background against the mountain of objects works particularly well and I like the idea of using found or treasured objects. This could be something to consider in my own 3D illustration in the visual language module? The central composition give an air of simplicity.

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Jean Jullien

I feel that this is so clever - turning 2D illustrations into 3D objects just from cutting and folding a few key body parts! The elongated limbs are quirky and charming, adding a sense of personality to these odd-balls, and their colours are fun and vibrant! Paper cut is such a simple but successful technique in its form and functionality, giving a sense of craftsmanship and the hand-made, and is something I am slowly falling in love with. I'm even considering using it in my Visual Narratives picture book! Again, the simple background gives a stylistic simplicity that marries well with the simple forms and shapes making up the characters. Each has their own facial expression representing them in an effortless approach and the three dimensional aspect gives them a more authentic and genuine connection to the audience.

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Owen Gildersleeve

Paper cut again, this time adding a sense of simple but bold colour, shape and movement. This truly looks like a box of tricks or a present that flourishes when opened! An explosion of fun! The central composition, with the tablet device, turned slightly on its' side adds an element of the off-beat and the unconventional. The choice of bright, saturated colours communicates a genuine and authentic element of pleasure and enjoyment and the warm wooden background provides a more pleasing hue rather than just white.

Visiting Lecturers: DR ME

Official Website | Twitter | Instagram

• DR ME, est. 2010, is duo Ryan Doyle and Mark Edwards. Their name is a fusion of their initials.

• They are based in Manchester and The French Riviera.

• Didn't want to work in-house for a company. Wanted to work for themselves and made a list of university
of the things they want to set out and achieve.

• They were interested in alternative illustration and worked for Mike Perry after completing university. They learned more from Mike and his practice in 2 months than they did at university; even though they folded posters and sent them to clients for the majority of the internship!
• From folding posters and sending to clients, they learned the art and power of self-promotion.
• Their first proper brief was with Dutch Uncle. It allowed them to find their style setting them apart from everyone else.
• Handmade collage, true to form as possible. Handmade is their ethos.
• Social media is a powerful tool is getting potential clients interest in your work. When that connection has been established, keep the relationship going. Let them know you are still there, making work. Collaboration can push that further.
• From having a strong Twitter presence and a self-run website they are able to respond to the work they want to do.
• Go with your gut instinct.
• Don't be afraid to ask and don't be afraid of failure!
• Make good work, constantly be making, collaborate to learn new things and expand your knowledge as a maker.
• See exhibitions, movies, cities, something on a wall or in a book. Don't stay in your studio - experience the world!
• Just be you and enjoy the work you make.
• Keep a sketchbook to test out and collect a plethora of materials, sketches, roughs, collages and notes.
Let it be natural. DR ME are always writing and sketching.
• They put up with each other by not sharing a studio but meeting up frequently in Manchester.

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How is this relevant to my practice?
Having just completed collage in the Visual Language module, I enjoyed the freedom of cutting in various ways (ripping roughly, craft knife for precision, scissors for a loose cut) to give a certain feeling and aesthetic and layering different visual information. I have discovered a new found love for cut paper collage and want to keep pushing and exploring this medium further. DR ME have a very strong work ethic and their 365 days of collage is nothing short of admirable! I want to be able to work as relentlessly and be as experimentation with my own discipline! Their words of wisdom in regards to promotion and making what you love have really stuck with me too.