Artists In Miniature Magazine

Sadie Brown from DollsHouse and Miniature Scene Magazine asked me to answer some questions for a feature which is really exciting but this won't be published until later in the year.

In the meantime, she contributes to a smaller online digital magazine called 'Artists In Miniature Magazine' which she has kindly featured me in too!

Teaching Workshop

Attended the Career Track Tuesdays Teaching Workshop...

Mostly aimed at getting into teaching primary/secondary, not higher/further, which is what I would be most interested in.

RESEARCH FURTHER:

How to get into teaching FE/HE ART

Do some work experience - Go back to Foundation?

Speak to tutors about their path into teaching

This has put me off teaching a little bit... it's just so serious and strict and definitely at the moment the education system is not supporting arts. I might look into it at some point but for now I want to focus on my own work.

Mission Statement/Manifesto

I am a storyteller and I aim to continue constructing worlds and telling stories in my career as a professional doll maker, puppet fabricator and illustrator.

I strive for my creations to be whimsical, otherworldly and intriguing. My illustrations and characters are mainly aimed at children but I do hope to bring a little bit of a macabre, spooky tone into my work.

My ambition is to be recognised and respected for being a creator. I value tactile media and producing work with a handmade quality; it is important for of the maker and the charm of craft to be evident in the work I produce.

MANCHESTER ANIMATION FESTIVAL: Events

http://www.manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk/events/mackinnon-saunders-origins/
Mackinnon and Saunders Exhibition (free)   Fri 3rd November 2017 - Sun 7th January 2018 10am-11pm

http://www.manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk/events/world-ivor-wood/
Ivor Wood Talk (£7)  BOOKED! Thu 16 Nov 17 10:15

Jack Skellington

I've been trying to avoid doing custom doll orders lately so that I can focus on my dissertation. I've also realised that doing these little doll-portraits wasn't really pushing me or building my portfolio, I was just doing the same thing over and over and selling my work away.

But when I was asked to do a Jack Skellington doll from The Nightmare Before Christmas, I couldn't resist. I love that film and I thought it could be fun to compare my version to the original Henry Selick product. I do prefer making my own characters but Jack is an exception. I've always wanted my own replica Jack doll, so making this made me very happy.

It's just a shame that I did this as a custom order.

And now he's no longer with me... I MUST MAKE ONE FOR MYSELF.

This is Selick's original. Smooth, perfect...

The head was interchangeable and the puppet team made hundreds of different expressions that could be 'clicked' into place.

Since my Jack is papier mache it's a lot bumpier and not as smooth. You can also see the cardboard on the tie (magic ruined). The lines on the costume are more white/black than black/white like Selick's was.

My Jack is a bit cuter/friendlier than the original, which I guess is the result of my tone of voice.

Art in the Mill Visit

My family and I went to go and see the exhibition at Art in the Mill and it looked great! The dolls were stood on plain white plinths with some ceramic buildings/sculptures behind them (which the gallery just had lying around). They worked so well together! Next time it could be useful to plan my set up, work out things like this... extra props, lighting, things to make it just a bit more eye-catching in a room full of so much lovely work.