Portfolio visit with Rapport Events

Today I had a portfolio viewing with Chris Platt and Paul Rose at Rapport Events; they are an events company, based in Manchester's Northern Quarter, who are always looking for new ideas. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them and got some great positive feedback on my work! I showed them my portfolio, handmade book and my paper cutouts (which I keep safely in a little box)! 

I spoke to them about my plans for my Final Major Project and the fact that I am experimenting on a larger scale, almost an installation I suppose. They seemed very excited about my 'tent' idea and we discussed what I could do with regards to shadows and lighting. Both the guys told me they could see potential within my work, and talked about me collaborating on a project with them! 

We discussed the options for my work, maybe making a stop frame animation out of it, or filming one of my pieces rather than just taking a simple photograph. This is very exciting and would benefit me hugely to have the opportunity to work with them. Also I feel this is the next step for me to experiment with different techniques, and it would be great to have their experience and skills to make this happen and learn from them. 


Even if my work isn't used it will still be great for my portfolio, and great to have the experience of working with people in industry. They were very friendly guys too, and really enthusiastic which is very encouraging! 

Visit to Lord Whitney

Recently I have been arranging portfolio visits with artists that I love to show my work and see what they think! Also to ask questions about industry and hopefully find a way forward instead of just fumbling around in the dark! I'm realising how important making connections is and how it can lead onto things.

I was so excited to have a chat with Lord Whitney on Friday. I met the girls in Leeds at a studio. I was welcomed by Bek and Amy and they took me into the 'Not So Bored Room' which they had designed. I loved it in there, it was not what I expected at all (after being greeted in a warehouse type space). There was jars and bits to look at, and lots of wood! I think I liked it because it relates to this idea I have about wanting people to experience or interact with my work, rather than just looking at a photograph of my set in a flat form. I was welcomed in and they kindly made me a cup of tea while they looked over my portfolio.


Both Bek and Amy were very encouraging about my work, and I feel I came away with some great advice with regards to self promotion (business cards), and enhancing my portfolio. I explained problems I face with executing my work with regards to photography, and that I worry about not having access to the photographic studio once I leave uni, the girls said they had same problem and gave me tips on how to accomplish things at home (this includes a white sheet for the back-drop, lamps and a digital camera)! They were very reassuring and encouraging, I really did find talking to them very helpful and inspiring. 


After the meeting I felt very happy with their comments about my work, and really inspired to crack on with things. I got quite a few ideas from things we spoke about and I am very excited to create now. Thanks Bek and Amy! 

I'm so relieved to have my mojo back!! I am so excited about Final Major Project and am happy making again! Here's a little peek at what I am working on, I hope you like! 

My very own website!

I am very happy to announce that I am now the proud owner of my very own website! It is currently still under construction which shouldn't take long to sort out! 

www.lisarockall.co.uk

Final Major Project

I have thought a lot about what I am doing for my Final Major Project, and finally I am decided on an idea! 

I have a few books on fairytales which I have been really enjoying reading! I am going to illustrate one of the stories by creating a series of images. I have a book on Russian Fairytales that I found in a second hand book shop, and I also have some old English stories too. Decisions, decisions!

To accompany my images I also want to create a 3D set that will be set up in my space. I am actually really looking forward to starting work and I am brimming with ideas! 

I want to start by practicing drawing again as this is something I haven't done for a while and I need to get back into it. I want to concentrate on the figure and buildings first. I have been looking at a few illustrators for inspiration.

Danijela Dobric

Martin Haake

Portfolio visit with Hattie Newman

On Friday I visited Hattie Newman at her studio in London to show her my work and take any advice that she could give me about industry. Hattie was lovely, and we had a chat over a cup of tea while she looked at my work. 

I loved being in the studio space and could really see myself working professionally in that environment. There was lovely bits to look at, and books and magazines everywhere, I found it really inspiring.

I have loved Hattie's work ever since I discovered it, and felt it was important to get advice from her as we work in a similar way. I really found the meeting helpful and got tips on how to  get into industry; Hattie said she started out by assisting other artists and eventually she started getting her own jobs. This is definitely something I am prepared to do, and to get experience and an insight into how industry works would be a great advantage. 

 I wanted to know how an illustrator should price their work, Hattie told me that she charges a day rate and advises clients how long she thinks she will need to complete the job. I guess the one real worry I have is the money with this job as it's not steady pay, and I need security as I have a child and a house to run, but if you are good enough and try very hard you can be successful! I won't let this put me off! 

There was a few questions I asked about technique because I want to explore working in 3D, and Hattie does this beautifully. Hattie told me what materials she uses which includes foam board along with a range of other things. I am going to keep practicing and creating, I really feel I need more work in my portfolio, and I'm ready to create! Hattie said that she grew a lot more after finishing uni so hopefully this may happen with me!  

I asked a few questions about how Hattie pitches for jobs, she told me that she would make a mock up of one element to show. I think if I ever have to do a pitch I will do this and accompany it with sketches and maybe previous work just demonstrate my style.

After meeting Hattie I feel really inspired to keep my dream alive and focus on what I want; which is to be a successful illustrator! 

Thanks Hattie :)

The Secret Garden

Lately I have been considering going back to collage as my way of working has quite a few constraints. Booking time in the photographic studio can be a pain, and I just want to go back to experimenting and being able to play!

After a trip to Waterstones with my little boy, I was very inspired by 'The Secret Garden' illustrated by Lauren Child. We sat on the floor in the shop and looked through the pages together, I just loved it! It's full of patterns and lovely colours and shapes. I really like the naivety of it, which is something I want to bring back into my own work and be more playful.