Art has always been a big passion of mine. I love being able to tell stories and express ideas through a medium that feels natural to me. In Project time, I’m exploring this through several different pieces, including a large-scale graphite portrait and a series where I draw people as the animals I feel represent them.
My main artwork builds on some of the large portraits I created at my previous art school, but I’m now pushing my work further and finding more of my own style. My ideas often come from where my interests and personal experiences meet, from my fascination with the Wild West to experiences from my own life. Along the way, I’ve been expanding my technical skills and finding new ways to create more depth, detail and expression in my work.
One of my biggest highlights at The Studio School has been Open Studio, where I had the opportunity to share my work with practising artists and people from creative industries. One artist pointed out that I have a strength for creating work that can be serious and meaningful, but also playful. That feedback changed the way I thought about my own art and encouraged me to take more creative risks.
What I really value about TSS is the independence I'm given over my learning. There is freedom to work in a way that suits me, with enough structure to keep me focused and on track. I also like that TSS feels more like an adult learning environment, where that trust and independence encourages me to take more responsibility for my education.
The people here have also played a big part in helping me grow. I’ve found it easy to talk with my mentor, Cat, if something is happening at home or I'm struggling with my work, without it feeling like a big counsellor meeting. Andrew has encouraged me to dive deeper into my interests, including comics and film, while Yvette welcoming us each morning helps make TSS feel like somewhere I want to be.
Since coming to TSS, I've become much more confident and mature in the way I approach learning. If I'm unsure about something, I'm now more likely to reach out and ask for help rather than avoid it. More importantly, I now see education differently and genuinely enjoy discovering new things.
I don't know exactly where I want my future to take me yet, but I'm excited by the possibilities. Right now, I want to keep developing as an artist and discovering what I'm capable of, with the freedom and confidence to shape my own direction.
How would you describe TSS? It feels more grown-up, with different options and ways to shape your learning around what you need to succeed.
Tilly is developing her creative practice through projects that combine visual storytelling, personal expression and technical skill, including large-scale graphite portraiture and illustration.
Mathematics, English, Science, HASS, PE and Projects.
