Ryan Esson is a filmmaker and recent Duncan of Jordanstone graduate with a degree in Time Based Art and Digital Film.

Having graduated art school less than 6 months ago, life as an art graduate has not been the most glamorous experience so far. A full year is spent working tirelessly on one project which the previous 3 years of your life have been leading up to. It all ends with a big exhibition and you’re given your final grade for your 4 years of work.

I feel that I needed to take a little bit of time away from studying and even art. So I have moved to Glasgow and taken the first job I could find to support myself. Glasgow is a very raw and creative city with many opportunities, so I feel that it could be the perfect environment for an art graduate.

My final year work “The Void” is still my main artistic focus as I am going to be showing it again at The Royal Art Gallery in Edinburgh on the 5 December, having won The Society of Scottish Artists award. This is a great opportunity and gives me an even larger audience to show my work to. I have also been working on some of the principles and ideas behind The Void and trying to look into them further and create a better experience than before. I have been trying to explore old ideas, but with a new outlook or spin. I have had some time to step back from it all and pick out the points I feel work well and I think that this has been helpful.

In my opinion, the hardest part about having left university would be trying to stay motivated whilst holding down a full time job. Setting yourself goals and searching for opportunities is key to pushing yourself to create. I am thankful for the response that my work has received and this has really driven me again to be more creative with my work.

The Void – Ryan Esson

Comment below or on Twitter using #LifeAfterArtSchool & mentioning @CenSta with your experience after art school.

Stay tuned for updates from art school graduates all this week. In the meantime see a preview of what to expect from the Life After Art School features here.

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We’ll hear from GSA alumna and fashion designer Kelly Dawn Riot, who recently won the Scotland Re:Designed New Talent Award along with sculptural knit designer Laura Muir, whose cosy snoods have begun to take the internet by storm. GSA Communication Design graduate Steven Swinney talks about taking on the Commonwealth Games alongside his freelance work while fellow ComDes alumnus Cliff Andrade revels in the recent win of the Jill Todd Photographic Prize Award.

Ryan Esson – Air and Space

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design graduate Samantha Wilson’s drawings and paintings were put on our radar at the DJCAD degree show. In her take on professional life, Wilson talks about seizing opportunity while fellow DJCAD alumnus Ryan Esson considers the less glamorous side of post-art school life and emphasises the value of staying motivated. Also from DJCAD, Ellis O’Connor discusses the difference between her undergrad and her current postgrad degree, as well as the importance of artist residencies for the development of her work.

Bryony Strange

Edinburgh College of Art graduate and fashion designer Bryony Strange writes about the importance of networking and mentoring in the Scottish creative industry. As she details her transition to professional life, fellow ECA alumnus and illustrator Alexander Jackson talks about taking on the editorial realm. Also from ECA, digital artist Richard Phillips-Kerr (who will be showing his degree show piece at RSA New Contemporaries 2015) explains what he’s now doing in Birmingham.

Finally from Gray’s School of Art, award-winning painter and model-maker Catherine Ross and multimedia artist Dominic McIvor reveal their most recent exploits in Aberdeen and Birmingham respectively.

Stay tuned for updates from these art school graduates all next week.

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