Collage, acrylic and ink.
Interview for Mixed Special:
“Phoebe’s illustrations combine her love of poetry, philosophy and pencil. She enjoys using a range of media, pushing herself with big project ideas, and appreciating a well deserved drink (hope I can say that). Her work in the final year has lead to a great interest in psychotherapy which she plans to study a MA in after graduation, which I believe suits her nicely with her ever increasing desire to research and her execution of bright anecdotes. Here is Phoebe:
What, if anything, do you listen to/watch when working?
I would dearly give my work a coherent, intelligent soundtrack; but, if I am to be honest, it’s an altogether rag tag music collection. Like everyone, we all have our off days. Sometimes, you just paint through the fight scenes in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. There are loads. You get a surprising amount done.
How do you feel about collaborative work? Has that changed over the past three years?
The old phrase, “when it’s good it’s very very good and when it’s bad, it’s horrid,” springs to mind.
During which project did it finally click?
It’s tricky to pin down a particular “eureka” moment, as such. However, without wanting to catch chickens before they’re hatched, my final project has been really good fun, and things seems to have clicked, as you put it.
What’s the longest time you’ve spent on a project non-stop?
This one can be answered without hesitation or musing: dissertation. It all started with a 1st year project, during which I focused on compulsive hoarders. After it finished, I continued to collect newspaper clippings and articles documenting the subject, and gradually became a hoarder of hoarders. Object association become a fascination, and despite dissertation now being finished, bound, submitted and marked – I plan to continue this research through an MSc in art psychotherapy.
What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
Jump. For. Joy.
How do you think others on the course perceive your work?
Someone called me a “good egg,” once. Someone else called me “painfully folk.
Give me an illustration insight…
You often get it right 1st time, but it’s worth doing the opposite to make sure.
Desert Island Pencil Case (5 different media)
Presuming we get paper as standard? Pro-markers (especially the really bland, ill looking colours), acrylic paint in primary colours (for mixing), a normal HB pencil, a red gel pen and a pack of carbon paper.
What is completely unique about your work on the course?
I’m not really that precious about materials. A lot of stuff used to get handed in on envelopes. I’m trying to change that though; I’ve learned a level of professionalism IS important. It’s not selling out, if anything, you could be selling yourself short.
What is your favourite book?
This is another instance in which I would like to edit my reading list to weighty tomes of poetry, philosophy and pain. But, there are certainly a fair few less intellectually stimulating paperbacks hidden away. If anything, my bookshelf represents a wannabe blue stockinged moron who hides a Nick Hornby novel in a Henry James dust jacket.
What film makes you want to pause and draw?
Can we “screen grab”? Pausing can really ruin the film.
How many sketchbooks have you filled each year?
Roughly 3 per term, and 1 per holiday. 3 x term (3) = 9, 3 x holiday (3) = 3. 3 + 9 = 14.
Maybe a few more.. Depends on the project. Sometimes I really “go to town,” but there have been quite baron days. Again, emphasis on “roughly.” Usually A5 or A3.
What craft do you wish you had?
Lithography.
What do you find the most interesting?
What an open-ended question. I’m fascinated with anything which I can’t do, which is most of the more makey-do ones. Applying my work to real things is quite new and novel to me, so that’s still exciting – it’s definitely the honeymoon period.
Which living artist do you most admire?
There’s a huge gulf between the one’s who’s work I admire, and the one’s who character I do. Some people have wonderful work, but would climb over their own mothers for a solo show. It’s hard to “admire” them.
