How did myself, as an illustrator. come along.
My story started when Rara was a little nugget just starting secondary school. I seemed to of made a good impression with my art teacher. I know this because during a lesson he was wondering around looking at what we were doing and he noticed a drawing that I did of a hand emerging into a dinosaur. He asked me “Rachel, what do you wanna do when you grow up?” by this point I just looked completely gormless and said “Dunno sir”. My teacher took it to himself to take me out of class and show me this board. A massive board filled with animators, illustrators and cartoonist. He then pursued to say “I bet you could do that”. From that second I think I was just in aw with the fact I had (And did for many years) had a number one fan of my art work.
By this point I was dedicated and continued to enjoy and learn art with its many forms. I chose my GCSEs to get me to college/sixth form. These consisted with fine art, history, construction (I got taught a little about architecture) and obviously maths and english. I made sure I got good grades and stuck into education. I enjoyed learning and my art class a lot when I was in school. So much so that I won an award at school for gaining an A in fine art. (just a note sorry for the bad image of my certificate this was taken back in 2014 and the certificate itself is somewhere at my grandparents) 
That was a proud moment for me. And it should of been because due to my hard work I managed to get into Durham Sixth form centre for film and tv production, graphics and fine art. During that time period of 2 years I loved my graphics class and film and tv media, I found that I was good at photography and digital art. I loved filming and leaning about how to use a camera in the film production, along with storyboarding. I got taught tricks and tips of which I dedicated research for going into animation and illustration. However fine art in college was a nightmare. I didn’t seem to see eye to eye with my art teacher and trying to pursue my love of art within fine art was a task and a half however I did take on skills and how to use materials in which I used to strengthen my methods with in my artwork.
When those 2 years where over and got my grades I was over the moon when I found out that I got a diploma in film and tv production and a good grade in graphics. I managed to gain good feedback from off my teachers who taught me within those 2 years and I gained so much confidence in being an artist.
Thats when I started the course of animation and Illustration. I made it. Don’t get me wrong it was hard at first and being taught how to draw digitally and how to use illustrator and Photoshop (I already knew how to use Photoshop in graphics at sixth form) But I gained so much and I mean so much skills and confidence. I did work with a brewery called Hadrian Border Brewery in Newcastle. This was when I created the folklore series with there pump clips. I managed to gain experience from doing competitions and advertising my work. I’m still currently studying on the cause for my BA Honours in illustration and I’ve enjoyed my time and experiences.
I did realise last year that I enjoyed my time on the course of animation and illustration. I also enjoyed my education, also being in education, helping people and gaining trust within people and my tutors. Which gave me new look on life and my future. I realised I want to be like those who inspired me and had confidence and faith in my artwork. I want to become an art teacher.
I make sure that my determent self always put my all into what I do. I stay true to myself. Be only the best of what I make it and from there I will become a great teacher like the teachers who taught me.
Now all that is left is to complete this cause with a good grade and apply for my PGCE’s. Heres to the future that I work hard my extreme hardest for everyday.
Until the next blog
Rara
🙂
Rara's Blog 