EXHIBITION

The second year student have to create an event for one of their modules, I have been asked if I would like to exhibit with them at the end of this academic year. I feel this is a great opportunity to share our artworks together, even though this may not be a tycoon of professionals and industry praise, but these types of things – as a student give a great way to practice and develop exhibiting skills, also noticing how my work fits in amongst others who are studying similar contexts or have likeminded art styles, this also gives me an opportunity for my work to be seen.

WORKING WITH A CLIENT

I have worked with clients in the past, however, most recently the work that I have been working on are wedding invitations, these have been designed to a brief for what the clients wanted for their wedding. I have worked on a few weddings: invitations, table plans, table names and other accessories for wedding events.

Working with a client is a different system than working independently on a project, I enjoy both but have spent most of my time working independently, on my Fine Art studying rather than Graphical illustrative work, I do enjoy both.

I have uploaded some images of the latest design that I had made for the wedding which was March 2017, I have removed the details of the clients. I created the invites, by sketching a floral ‘old worldly vintage’ style which was what the client wished for, I used google to gather a few ideas, then scanning the drawing, then editing this to give effects of and old look. Then for the back I took a photograph of the back of a patterned book, which I then manipulated and also edited, then added the writing digitally. I then used both designed just rewording the words for the invites for the reception, which the clients also wanted.

 

REDESIGNING BUSINESS CARDS

The below business cards front and back alongside are the newly redesigned card. I feel that the card gives a better and appropriate function to my identity, representing my style as an artist. I have discussed the redesigned business cards, the feedback seems good – people seem to be saying the quality looks better; when in fact, the quality of the print and paper is the same; most people seem to approve of the back rather than the previous contrast of the new design. I think this portrays a cleaner, professional layout giving easier understanding. Also within the old card, it states ‘Concept Art’ when in fact and relation to the industry this is false information as I do not represent Concept art as in the representation of that description. I am more of a ‘Conceptual Artist’. Concept art is more to do with the concept of characterising in video games, while conceptual art being art that is about creating artwork that retains a concept.

REFLECTION

As I have read the module descriptor and understanding the content, I believe that it is required to research in to fine art practitioners. However, I am unaware of what direction I am aiming to point my career aspirations, even though currently I am a fine art student and create this type of art, I do not solely label myself to be a fine artist.

Therefore, from the above statement, I will not only be investigating in to the fine art sector but, I will also touch on to the entirety of the creative industry, specifically that of interest, or of significance to my investigations.

I have previously been in contact with museums such as the derby museums, when developing a project through an educational programme – which, then advanced in to becoming an ambassador for the Joseph Wright institute, which also gave the opportunity to exhibit an artwork, which was on a show reel, amongst other artworks, the artists were student on the same course as myself. This was a while back, but I feel this has a relevance, as I do not feel currently I have the opportunity to progress to this type of system through the time period.

This was the artwork that was exhibited…

At the time I was complemented in the way which I spoke of the artwork and it was mentioned during communication, whether I had thought about talking about art as a future adventure.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Having some form of social media account that can advertise my work is a great source to have, especially in the current lifestyles of the social media and networking through the internet. These types of platforms have some small advantage in promoting and giving an enhancement on broadcasting an artist in to social circles. However, to achieve the benefit of this I feel and understand that a high level of popularity is required so that your profile can become acknowledged and then become notices on the sites. I personally do not understand a great deal of how social media can actually be an entirely helpful or beneficial source or if social media will be a lasting resource within any aspect.

Below is a few screenshots of my Instagram account, which I have posted images of my practice.

 

COMPETITIONS

Investigating the industry, I have come across a few ways of developing in to the industry through competitive art events, I have come across a few and been able to verify to apply for the competitions. I will put together a list of competitions I am aware of and have found from researching.

• Melbourne Derbyshire Arts Festival – to apply, instructions are on the website of the arts festivals website. with top prize £500 this year (2017). Applying closing date 23rd April 2017
•   Sky arts: Landscape artist of the year – Deadline 28th April 2017 – apply through the website: https://www.skyartsartistoftheyear.tv/landscape.php. Portrait artist of the year – Deadline 3rd March 2017 – apply through the website: https://www.skyartsartistoftheyear.tv/portrait.php – this will be for 2018

Below I have found a list on the web that has a combination of all the competitions for 2017 applying deadlines. (http://makingamark.blogspot.co.uk/p/major-uk-art-competitions.html)

‘January 2017

• RWS Contemporary Watercolour Competition –  12 midday on Monday 16 January 2017
• BP Portrait Award 2017 – Thursday 26 January 2017

February 2017

• Royal Academy of Arts – Summer Exhibition – Wednesday 15 February (assuming you’ve already registered)
• Wildlife Artist of the Year 2017 – February 20th, 2017

March 2017

• Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year – 3rd March 2017

April 2017

• Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2017 – 12 pm (midday) on Friday, 28th April 2017

June 2017

• Jerwood Drawing Prize – June 2017(?)
• Sunday Times Watercolour Competition (based on 2016)

October 2017

• ING Discerning Eye 2017 (based on 2016) – September 2017 (?)

November 2017

• John Moores Painting Prize 2018 –  likely to be early November 2017

December 2017

• Lynn Painter-Stainers 2018 (based on 2016)’

SELF PROMOTION

For this module, I have been asked to look in to a variety of different aspects in relation to career opportunities and expanding my knowledge of the industry. Currently, at this stage of the assignment, I feel it is necessary to look at my business cards, maybe consider redesigning them. Doing this is for the self-promotional side of the module, to configure aspects that may give more of a comment to the artist that I am. – due to me being a student I feel that redesigning is essential as I mature to the final stages of my education.

These are the current business cards which I have now, I will be producing some others redesigning or creating an entirely new business card. Doing this will give me the opportunity to reconfigure my identity on these, to which bests suits my style.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Searching for jobs in the creative industry, I have discovered to a be a different situation to when searching for jobs within other industries. I have document my findings of where I have seemed to find the most relevant and widest range of job options. Currently, online sources seem to be the most prominent solution.

Above: the arts council website offers many resources for a wide range of facilities giving access to searching for jobs and keeping up to date with the industry. The site gives advanced guidance and availability for offering to fund towards art project.

Below: a website supported by the art council, giving a portal for all news and upcoming events in the arts. A wise place to monitor for all aspects of being a part of the sector and practicing artist.

I will use both these sights when searching for facilities and job opportunities.

INTRODUCTION

Investigation will be carried out throughout this module assessing what areas of interest and career opportunities are available, I will become aware of the industry and analysing information I gather to analyse. During the module, I will annotate and discuss my findings to conclude informed understandings. Developing research methodology, resources, and general industry knowledge. From this I can gather skills and experience, while developing my professional practice development.

INTENTIONS

To develop my professional practice and work towards gaining employability I will investigate and document significant content, that gives me the information needed to progress in to the industry such as research in to looking for job vacancies, information in the industry and general understandings of the creative industry. Developing these skills are important to become aware of the industry, being able to do this now gives an advanced influence.

From this module I aim to develop my understandings of the industry , also become aware of how and where I will be able to search for jobs in this industry.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

This module I aim to develop, progress and get an informed knowledge of the industry, the process will give me the ability to have influenced opinions so that I can develop my employability, knowledge and awareness of other opportunities in the industry.

I plan to develop my self promotional understandings;

• REDESIGN; business cards, networking profile on artweb.com
• DEVELOP; progression on portfolio
• RESEARCH; membership of professional groups, develop self promotions, understanding of the industry

Above are some of the things I plan to complete in this module, I mainly aim to become aware of the industry as with how and where to search for jobs in the industry as creative industry jobs are not usually advertised in the same place as other jobs.