John ChamberlainSophie Elm creates brightly coloured images that are the result of an interest in folk Art and pattern.Born in Thirsk she went on to study at Edinburgh College of Art and is now a freelancer with many exhibitions and projects underway, that display a flurry of output and hint at a creative enthusiasm and work ethic.
I was curious to know a little more about the way she works and what inspires her so I asked Sophie a few questions and generously she talks at length about her creative practice, and offers a few from experience tips to graduates and other freelancers.
What first prompted you to go to art college and pursue art as a vocation?
I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to do anything else to be honest.
I’ve always loved drawing and making things from as early as I can remember. I recall my dad coming home with some watercolour pencil crayons when I was about six. They were the best present I could have been given and probably the only present from that age that I can actually remember. I guess it also helped having parents with an art and design background, I was encouraged by them to pursue my interest.
What projects are underway at the moment?
I produce a variety of work covering many disciplines. So currently, I have quite a mix of projects on the go. I hand paint ceramics, of which I’m currently designing some lovely big bright foliage/floral themed plates, as well as some typographic tiles. I’m also wanting to add to my range of linocuts, as well as creating some new Animal Friendly Taxidermy (a bit of a fine art venture I’m experimenting with). I can never say I get bored!
The pieces I am working on are for an exhibition in April at the Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk. It was so lovely to be asked to have an exhibition there. It’s a peculiar feeling exhibiting somewhere I was once the lowly Saturday girl!
How do you perceive yourself as an artist?
I actually think decorative designer would sum me up more than artist.
I like to use traditional methods of image making, such as printmaking and hand painting to decorate and embellish. Patternmaking is also a big feature in my work as well as typography. I guess I’m a bit of an Arts and Crafts revival.
Your work is very versatile and covers lots of different creative disciplines. How do you balance the different areas of ceramic painting, printmaking, and so on?
Honestly… I’m not sure I do balance it at all! I guess I try to look at it in a practical way. If I have an exhibition coming up, Ceramics and printmaking come first on my list. Ceramics are so temperamental. There needs to be a lot of leeway for firing disasters. Hand painting my ceramics is also one of the most time consuming aspects of my work. Printing too needs time for inks to dry and the printing method itself is not a speedy one.
This calculated method of thinking usually goes out the window, as I end up doing whatever I’m in the mood for. One thing I have realised is I just can’t make myself do what I’m not in the mood to do. The best work comes if I’m doing something on a whim, something I hadn’t thought about doing. So I guess I have to trust my unpredictable mind and just go with the flow. Probably why my head and desk are always cluttered!
Describe a typical day in the life of Jeff Josephine designs?
I’m not there is a typical day; every one ends up being totally different. At the moment, however, it starts with a nice bowl of warming porridge (My flat is freezing!). I hide myself away in my little studio. Technically it’s a spare bedroom, if there were room for a bed it would be anyway. I’m not sure how comfy a plan chest is!
I usually start with admin, checking emails, updating my Jeff Josephine Designs blog, or checking my online shop etc. Though this can be a whole days work. I may order materials I need, or take anything to the post office.
Then it’s on with the current project. Sometimes it’s cutting a lino, other times it’s painting ceramics, or working on a print design, or perhaps a commission for someone. This is usually accompanied by Radio 4, Radio 2 (for some pop master fun with Ken Bruce), or some jolly tunes depending on my mood.
Is there anything you miss from your art college days?
I miss print facilities. I would be doing soooo much more printing if I still had a print studio. Also a bit of wisdom I guess, a guiding hand never goes a miss. Having said that, I usually disagreed with tutors and did my own thing anyway. I don’t think I was a very good pupil. I also miss having likeminded people around that I can discuss work with. That is easily solved though by visiting friends, or having a good chat on the phone.
Do you have any tips for people leaving Art College next year?
Well, all I can advise on really is the self employed route. You HAVE to be pro-active with promotion, updating your portfolio and meeting people. Something I know can sometimes be hard to do, I could do more myself. You just have to be prepared to work really hard. If work is not being offered to you, keep yourself busy with self-directed projects, or small things you can do easily, and generate revenue. Also known as ‘bread and butter’ work.
It’s very easy to feel disheartened when you don’t have loads of work flooding in instantly, but just hang in there, success does not come over night. This is why promotion is so important, it takes time for people to find out you exist. I felt frustrated that I should not only be up to professional standards, like the people that have been in the industry for years, but that I should know more people than I did. But you can’t run before you can walk, and it takes time. Give yourself realistic goals.
It’s also really good to keep in touch with people from your course. Talking to others in the same situation as you can be reassuring, knowing you’re not on your own. It’s good to have a support network to trouble shoot, share info, or you could even get someone else to critique your work.
The best bit though, is the fact that I look forward to getting up in the morning and doing my work. I don’t know many people that do.
Where do you hope to be over the coming months?
I’m working on some slightly more commercial ventures, such as printed tote bags and tea towels at the moment, so seeing those finished would be nice. Some exciting new collaborations are on the horizon and I’d love to have a few more exhibitions. They are a lot of hard work, but very satisfying.
What exhibitions have you been to most recently?
I went to see an exhibition of Ed Kluz’s work in September. I think that’s the last exhibition I went to, that’s quite bad really. I always keep an eye out for St Jude’s exhibitions, as they are always really good. I would like to see the Grayson Perry Exhibition at the British Museum, as well as the Hockney Exhibition coming up at the Royal Academy, London.
What are you reading at the moment?
I’m currently reading ‘The Danish Girl’ by David Ebershoff, which I have recently heard is being turned into a film, out this year. I find if I have a lot of work on I don’t tend to do too much reading as I can get too engrossed in a book and my work ethic goes right out the window.
Next time you visit Yorkshire, what are your priorities for things to see and do?
Well, as Yorkshire is home for me, family and friends always come top on my list, but things I like to see and do… I love the seaside, especially Whitby. The nearest seaside town to me now is Western -Super-Mare, not exactly the rugged East Coast I love.
Inland I really like visiting York for the lovely selection of little non-high street shops it has. It is still one of my favourite cities of all time. I’m a bit of a country girl, so I find York is just the right size city for me and I love the history it holds.
Walking along Sutton bank there are some fabulous views and a trip to the Yorkshire Dales for some Brymor ice cream would go down nicely too!
