Susan D’souza

CASE STUDY

“Grow your art business” Foundation Programme

Can you give us a brief description of yourself and your background?

I am a textile artist originally from Yorkshire and now living and working in Sussex.  I grew up with a love of landscape, plants, nature, art and textiles.  I first specialised in textiles on an Art Foundation course in where I was inspired by a teacher that took us to Ilkley Moor near Leeds to make things out of natural objects. I went on to complete a Degree in Textile Design & Technology before having a career in the fashion and textile industry for several years before a change of direction to re-train for a PGCE in art & design college lecturing. I then completed an MA in Art & Design by Independent Practice and for the last 10 years have run University Degree programmes in Textiles in Kent & Sussex.  I consider myself both an artist and educator I love working with others to facilitate their creative ideas.

Can you tell us briefly about your art practice when you started the programme?

My art practice involves nature based observation and images, natural dyes and natural objects often form part of my textural pieces.  Colour, transience, fragility and the beauty of details in nature are my focus.  The pieces are  mixed media textiles or a form of textile collage incorporating hand painting, batik, applique and stitch. When I started the programme I had exhibited locally at open house and group exhibitions and successfully sold some work but my personal practice was on a back burner with more energy going into my teaching role.

How did you first hear about Pure and the programme?

A friend and fellow Pure member invited me to an exhibition some years ago and then recommended that I join and apply and submit some of my work for the first Pure Arts 360 digital event.

What challenges/problems/situation necessitated you undertaking the programme?

I had made the decision to take voluntary redundancy and re-focus on my own art textiles practice however I found the reality of the loss of structure from a long- term busy teaching post challenging and felt a bit adrift and overwhelmed about how to move forward.

What were you looking for as an outcome?

I was looking for support and guidance on how to adjust to being a freelance artist and regaining some structure, purpose and flow in my work again, as well as with my own energy levels. 

What made our programme stand out from others on offer?

The combination of professionalism and personal warmth I experienced from my interaction with the Pure Team. I was also impressed by the quality of the work of many of the artist members.  I was reassured that the Programme was set up by a founder with experience of working successfully with artists over many years.

What feature of our programme was most appealing?

The combination of knowledge based learning through units about aspects like money and marketing alongside the development of the artist as a person. The programme is written to develop greater self awareness through tasks relating to finding your purpose, activities relating to wellbeing and mentoring to guide your reflective practice.

How did you implement the learning made during the programme?

I initially took time out to re-find things I enjoyed before starting to play and experiment with new techniques and ideas.  I was able to implement the units in relation to greater clarity of purpose and the direction of my making, pricing and marketing.

What was your initial reaction to the programme when you started?

At points in the early units I felt resistance to having to do things that felt like steps back to basics.  Equally being asked to step out of my comfort zone and work in new ways that didn’t match with my patterns and habitual ways of approaching things.  However I went with the tasks set and there were many aspects that I found really enlightening.

How has the programme helped you during the learning journey?

I have become clearer and more confident about the kind of artist I am and the value of what I create.  

How has working with Lesley helped you?

Lesley has gone above and beyond in supporting me to overcome obstacles and alter my mind set to move past them to develop my confidence as a re-emerging artist. The 1:1 mentoring sessions have been invaluable to review and guide through reflections on my practice.  The combination of stretch to try new things and support at challenging times has been really invaluable.

Has this solution saved you time and helped you grow and progresses faster?

Yes absolutely. I have achieved many things in the year that I have been involved with Pure and the Foundation Programme during a period when much of face-to-face life shut down.  It has provided my momentum.

Can you share any tangible outcomes from the programme?

I have had many firsts since joining the Programme including being interviewed for a live broadcast, making video clips about my work, having an article published, entering and having work accepted in an open call, pricing my work properly, having it framed professionally and exhibiting and selling pieces both online and at prestigious venues.  

What have you been most impressed with?

The structure and support provided not just for the business side of being an artist but also for the personal development and mind set side of being an artist.

What plans do you have now for the future that are new?

I have just started a new part time University teaching post but this time will be using days I am not teaching to focus with new professionalism on my own art textile practice. My next steps are to develop and update my website to communicate what I do with greater clarity and to continue to create a larger body of artwork with a view to new more targeted exhibitions and opportunities in 2022.  

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I have really enjoyed meeting, networking with and learning from the many other artists and creative professionals that I have been introduced to through Pure Arts.