Since school, art has been my main focus, and I have taught art and design privately and in colleges and galleries since 2004.
Within my own practise I work with mixed media to consider the world around me, explore spaces, ideas, and reflect.
I am passionate about getting people to draw, and currently exploring how creative activities, like observational drawing, can be used to support wellbeing.
In 2017 I start The Arts School. I predominantly teach observational drawing and painting, aiming to help people start, develop existing skills, or helping artists to loosen their practise, or reengage.
Do more, see more, be more.
Employment:
I teach the wide-ranging subject of Fine Art in galleries, schools and colleges including drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, portfolio development, illustration and graphic design. 2014 marked my 10th year teaching further education and leisure courses.
I have taught on, and run, BTEC level 2 and 3 subsidiary and extended diploma in Graphics and Art and Design, A level photography and Art and Design, Access to HE in Art and Design, and leisure courses including Gallery Studies and Life Drawing.
I am also a professional event photographer, having many years experience capturing the excitement and beauty of weddings and similar amazing occasions.
I create bespoke logos and branding for local businesses and support them and local arts group with using social media to develop their brand and advertise their events.
Recent Exhibitions & Collaborations include:
South East Open Studios 2020 (Virtually)
September 2017/2018/2019- Hailsham Artist trail and Art on the Green. Organising (solo) and exhibiting.
June -August 2017: ONE @ Gallery North. The one year anniversary of The Arts School
September 2016: The Little Arts Festival, multiple exhibitions over 10 day festival.
November 2015: Windsor Contemporary: Represented my Clockbox Gallery
December 7th and 8th 2012 Open Studio: ASC Stockwell Road
28th September 2011 for 6 weeks, Beta & Space, The Nottinghill Arts Club, London. Exhibition by Mayer Cooke.
March 9TH-23RD “RE:09-03″,The Toilet Gallery, Nipper Alley, Kingston, UK, Exhibition of Mayer Cooke based on collaboration, process art, re addressing past work and the female form.
September 23rd-26 2010: In had and after (MA degree show) TENT LONDON @ Truman Brewery.
July 2010: “Viewfinders – What are you looking at?” @the Mapalim Project Space, Queens Crescent – London.
June 2010: “Office of Future Heritages” @ Toilet gallery, Kingston- Curated by Dave Loder
April
2010: “Testing 123” @ The Toilet Gallery, with Kate Renwick and Maria Marzaioli
March 2010-2011: – Digital/Online Collaborative publication http://www.contrarytopopularthinking.com (link word “navigate”)
April 2010 – “Contrary to Popular Thinking”. A Collaborative exhibition,@ Kingston University.
December
2009 – “Index-Mass” @Toilet Gallery, Kingston.
July 2004 – Degree Show Oxford Brookes University.
Awards:
Art on the Green, East Sussex. September 2014 Best in show.
Photograph “Spirit Tree”
Short list
Print Space, architecture theme. Open entry
Thanks to everyone that has supported The Arts School during 2019.
Special mentions to:
Colin from Ribs and Co for letting me use his lovely premises – do go and have a meal there. Great food and exciting cocktails!
Kristina and Anne Marie from Off the Line Vineyard in Hellingly for hosting our wonderful drawing day, continuing to make superb wines and agreeing to let me do it again in 2020, Watch this space.
All the people who have attended a course and allowed me to share what I love and help you develop your talents and enjoyment!
Lastly, thanks to all my friends and family that helped me with the birth of my daughter and to continue to raise my son and let me bounce ideas for The Arts School.
2019 has been a busy year and hopefully helped set up 2020 to be amazing!
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This work is created by Sophie Douglas
©www.sophiedouglas.org.uk
