AuriolB | Ravensbourne Access \ Design

  This is going to be a project of ‘expressive art’ ― a fine art project that will attempt to capture my creative process of self-coaching inspired by art therapy practice. Taking into consideration cost and logistics, and working to my strengths, I intend to create a book that I can print at home and will hand-bind. The content will be a mixture of writing, quotations/extracts/poems, photographs, original artwork and illustrations. The theme is ‘Look Up: The Wonder-Book of Auriol B.’ And will be a celebration of all that inspires me creatively.  Depending on time-scales, I may accompany the book with an installation.

I’ve been exploring colour this week ― from experimenting with gouache to taking ‘colour walks’ and eating a rainbow . . . Theme of week three in the ‘comfort of creativity’ self-coaching program is ~ Notice what comes easily to you, what you enjoy, what is most effective. It was helpful to have a tutorial discussion and seek feedback from the group about potential strengths and direction to take: illustration; one-to-one coaching; ‘the book of you’ . . . All got me thinking. And the idea of this as a ‘fine art’ project, releasing me from a purposeful outcome, or rather giving myself permission to keep pursuing ‘expressive art’ and capturing the process. I wanted to continue to remove any pressure to create ‘good’ work; and began by gently exploring the effect of gouache, following the circular mandala patterns, simply mark making with dots of colours, experimenting with dilutions; and making a first sketch of a ‘tree of me’ exercise (unfinished). I also did some wider reading aroun

As I began to immerse myself in creative practice I noticed how hard it is to stay in the moment of making and not anticipate the outcome or criticise the work, even when the purpose of the exercise is the process of creating rather than the thing itself. Theme of week two in the ‘comfort of creativity’ self-coaching program is ~ Gather : Collect inspiration, research and personal work you would like to revisit. I began by updating both my physical and digital sketchbooks, and listing research sources I’d like to explore further. I’m interested in what makes something ‘art’ as opposed to a simply expressive or therapeutic creative act. I want to learn more about First Nations artists, Shaker Gift painting, Carl Jung’s Red Book, William Blake, Hilda af Klint . . . My ‘circle of emotions’ (inspired by Iabet ― Consciousness through Art ) did not produce anything as beautiful: I think my inner child definitely had control of the paint brush! In a week of circles, I also explored Manda

I began preparation for my Final Major Project by reflecting on my work and what I have learned about my practice since the course began in September. My intention at the beginning of the Access course was to pivot my career post-redundancy by training as a Graphic Designer; and to develop a portfolio in illustration with a view to applying for a Masters in Children’s Book Illustration at Goldsmith’s . I now feel these aren’t the right pathways for me, and the Final Major Project seems like a good opportunity to try and gain some clarity about what next steps to take. I want to turn my experience as a brand manager and creative coach inwards: after a career of supporting others in their creativity, to explore what emerges when I have permission to be creative for myself. I overcome the intimidation of the blank page by working on scrap paper: A4 folded to a booklet, to capture my thoughts on the bus to college. I like the rhythm of giving my ideas a narrative in this way. Brainstorming

Brief » To create an illustrated story that will offer reassurance and comfort  for those struggling to connect and find a place in the world [Responding to Museum of Emotion brief] » Outcome . Picture book (32pp) . Animation . Poster  º How successful was the outcome in relation to the brief? ‘This is Dot’ is a picturebook that takes the reader on a journey from a state of anxiety to a feeling of calm: a transition from negative to positive emotion. It uses colour to reinforce the story. The related poster is ‘silent’, inspired by the ‘silent brief’ of the Museum of Emotion. The animation is similarly ‘silent’.   º What aspects of your work were successful and why is this? The simple graphic style is clear and clean. It recalls classic picture books such as The Mr Men and Barbapapa, but with a fresh contemporary feel and sophisticated colour combinations inspired by accessible and autism-friendly design guidelines. Font selected is sans serif and larg