Samantha Wilson specialises in large scale drawing and painting and is currently based in Dundee completing her MFA at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. She received a first Class Honours degree from Duncan of Jordanstone and studied for one semester in Toronto at the Ontario College of Art. She was brought up in Elie, Fife and spent six years of her childhood in Portugal before returning to Scotland for University. Here she talks about her experience of graduate life…

Since graduating from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in June, I have spent some time in the summer working and travelling to take a break from making art. This was mainly because I intended to return to university in September to begin a Masters in Art and Humanities at DJCAD, where I am currently studying.

Untitled (2014) Charcoal and Ink on paper 93 inches by 121 inches

Before returning to study, I exhibited with the Six Foot Gallery in Glasgow in July. The show itself was quiet, but overall it was a worthwhile experience because subsequently I was contacted by a publication called BleakZine (also based in Glasgow) who are interested in featuring some of my work in an upcoming issue. I mention this to consider that no matter how small an opportunity may seem, you never know what could come of it, so apply, apply, apply!

Dressing Up (2014) Charcoal and Ink on paper 44 inches by 80 inches

The time away from making has allowed me to really channel all of my energy back in to full time study where I am now developing a new body of work for the RSA New Contemporaries Exhibition in Edinburgh in March 2015. It’s fantastic to have somewhere to make work straight after graduating because the ideas and processes are still fresh in my mind after the degree show.

Dog Man (2013) Charcoal and Ink on paper 44 by 80 inches

Mermaid (detail) (2014) Charcoal and Ink on paper 44 by 81 inches

Since leaving my undergraduate study, I am feeling, even more so than during my fourth year at art school, the pressure of reality after school. Although I am studying again, it is a different experience to my undergraduate course in terms of feeling much more on your own. Art work is no longer something you feel you are obliged to finish because you want your degree certificate, but it is one step closer to being your ‘job’. It’s really ‘for you’ and not the grade. That brings a whole new perspective and emotional challenges to face every morning when you come into the studio. It can be very daunting but as long as you still enjoy the work, it’s worth it! I don’t know what else I’d be doing if I wasn’t battling away drawing and painting in the studio. In between studio work and studying, I am applying for artist residencies, publications and exhibitions.

For more about Samantha’s work, see Koren Dumbleton’s review of the DJCAD Degree Show here.

Untitled (2014) Oil on Canvas 240 inches by 60 inches

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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