The Curtains Up
As a way of earning money alongside my masters I decided to take up a part-time role at my local pub, bartending, as I'm fascinated by peoples stories and the surprising things that we share in our lives, I felt this was a great environment to be in and would furthermore inspire my studio work.
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One of the main things that bartending has given me(the last three months) and will continue to give(in regards to my practice), is a rounded approach to one's work, being able to multitask on various aspects that are so closely linked with one another. If one aspect is left unattended the others become undermined, they all feed into one another, Visiting Galleries, Writing Reflections on your work, listening to yours peers, etc. Bartending has really helped with this, you have to take responsibility for every of your job; keeping the bar clean and organised, taking bookings, making drinks, delivering food, and most importantly making the customers feel at home.
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Working there has also afforded me the opportunity to use my draughtsmanship, in designing all their signs for the summer season.
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I plan to continue working there for the next couple of months.
Finding a new studio and other career prospects.
My other plans(once this Masters is finished) is to find a studio to rent with a fellow course mate, I think it's very important to continue on the momentum I've built, for the work I exhibited at this graduate showcase.
I'm also keen to find part-time work in the creative sector, I'm casting a wide net; because of how all-encompassing my contexts are. So whilst volunteering in a gallery would be ideal for my ambition as a solo artist, teaching, working in film or theatre production, would also be very valuable experiences for me to have. I think it's really exciting to discover how you can mould your ability in painting into various other creative roles. Of course, being able to support myself by selling and exhibiting my work is the main aim, so I'll continue entering competitions, getting in touch with galleries and dealers, and doing all I can to market my work and find the right demand for it.
Most recently I've had an interview to work at the next affordable art fair, and I have also applied to various art competitions such as the ING discerning eye contest and the Saatchi Open Call.