Ten questions for ten creatives
- What do you do for a living?
I have been working as a freelance throughout my 30 year career and during that time have taken on a whole range of different roles, but always linked directly to the Arts. This includes running creative workshops; artist residencies in schools; project management; long term commissions delivering programmes of work; evaluating arts projects and programmes. - What was the path that led you to do what you do now?
When I finished my A Levels I went straight into a 1 year full time Art Foundation course. At the end of the course I decided I wanted to study theatre design but had no experience and didn’t get a place on the degree course I applied for. So I took a year out, got work on various playschemes and did voluntary work with young offenders where I set up a darkroom and taught them photography. This led me to a love of photography, doing a City & Guilds course in the evenings and going on to apply for and get a place on a Photography & Film degree course at what was then The Polytechnic of Central London. Actually, looking back my parents gave me a cheap Kodak camera when I was about 8 years old and it probably all started from there. - What did you want to be when you were at school?
I don’t think I knew except that it would need to be something creative. - What one piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Have confidence, follow your heart and put yourself out there wherever possible. - What do you like my most about your job?
I love my work because: it’s varied so I never get bored; it’s challenging so keeps me on my toes and offers loads of opportunities for learning; I am my own boss so no one else can tell me what to do. - What do you find most challenging?
Not losing my nerve when work is thin on the ground and there’s no money coming in. - What’s your favourite song (at the moment)?
Laura Mvula, Green Garden - If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
Rajasthan, Northern India; Mexico; Iceland. - Name three things that you always take with you to work on an average day.
My iPhone, my pencil case and a bottle of water. - Tell us a joke or a secret.
I ran away from London to Bristol to join the circus.
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