Professional Practice Folder

At the moment I am busy trying to put my Professional Practice folder together. Whilst I have lots of information to organise and manage, I am realising just how huge a subject this is and how I will probably only just touch the tip of the iceberg! So how can I achieve a realistic goal?

First, I have tried to organise my folders so that it is a manageable resource folder for the future. I have kept the conversations that we had on facebook as a reminder of the trials and tribulations of trying to work as a cohesive group even though we were all very different characters, highlighting key areas of discussion, kept dated records of meetings and stored some of our photos on my computer.

Second, I have sections on key subjects such as having a web presence, marketing, fundraising and organising the exhibition. Useful websites (see links on blog under prof practice) and notes from books such as - Inside the White Cube: The Ideology of the Gallery Space by Brian O'Doherty and Art and Artefact: The Museum as Medium by James Putnam. Other books on our reading list include:

Top Careers for Arts and Graduates (Top Careers Series), 0816054894, Checkmate Books, 2003
Annabelle Ruston, An Artist's Guide to Selling Work, 0713671599, A & C Black Publishers Ltd, 2005
Carol Mitchels, How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist, 5th ed.:Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul, 0805068007, 1999
Daniel Grant, The Business of Being an Artist, Third Edition, 1581150563, Allworth Press, 2000
Daniel Grant, The Fine Artist's Career Guide (Business and legal Forms), 1581153473, Allworth Press, 2004
Karen Taylor, The Internet for Artists, 1902528158, Eyelevel Books, 2002

and journals: Artists Newsletter, Ceramic Review, Selvedge, Creative Review.

I have listed them on my blog with the aim of coming back to them when possible: at the present time I have so much material that is already being documented and stored in my folders.

So third? The fundamental issue in this process of career advice and development - to just take every opportunity as it arises.  I am going to go to the RWA to meet Karen Wallis, artist in residence, who has invited all exhibiting artists in Drawn to take part in her drawing project that she is undertaking during the exhibition. Karen is interested in  peoples views on drawing and how they approach their work. I have also decided to enter The Best of The Best at Art in Action this year with a piece involving painted fabric and embroidery. I am also planning a project at my sons school for the gifted and talented young artists and preparing for another felt workshop at uni. This all feels very exciting and positive so now all that is needed is careful planning of my time and a continued drive to work hard and remember all the useful links and knowledge sources that I have discovered during the professional practice module, enabling me to work towards a creative career.