Jane Arkwright
I have an friendly,enthusiastic and lively ‘hands on’ approach to imparting knowledge! Reinforcement through visuals and demonstrations are an important aspect of my teaching method. I aim to gently nurture, support and inspire, helping to develop a student’s confidence and encouraging them to develop their work in a personal and individual way.
What will students gain if they come on one of your courses?Encouragement; motivation; inspiration; confidence and an understanding of a wide range of processes and techniques.
Are there any particular techniques/processes you use in your teaching?At West Dean I teach painting and mixed media with the plethora of processes and techniques that this encompasses; ranging from inventive ways of applying paint, through to exploring the potential of gesso/plaster/mod rock and recycled materials. Emphasis is placed on student’s own experimentation and discovery, developing areas of interest in a highly creativeand personal direction.
What inspires your own work?Everything! Inspiration can come from a particular colour combination glimpsed, the luscious texture of peeling paint or from the sheer delight of manipulating materials for it’s own sake. I search out colour and pattern within the landscape and with its timeless tracks and paths, contemplation and ideas are always provided. Still-life – I enjoy working from familiar objects and their particular ‘feel’ and the memories they may evoke, sometimes incorporating them into ‘dream-like’ narratives with strange and quirky perspective. Also, endless inspired subject matter comes from the human face, form and ‘condition’. Often all these themes are developed towards abstraction.
Where can students see examples of your work?I have regular exhibitions Websites.
Where did you gain your training/experience?Foundation Course at Wigan School of Art B.A. Hons Loughborough College of Art & Design The Leverhulme Travelling Scholarship – Awarded for research in France/Germany/Switzerland. PGCE. University of Sussex.
What teaching experience have you had?I am a very experienced teacher at all levels: Head of both Textile and Art departments at 6th Form College Visiting lecturer at a number of art colleges/Institutes/Universities at both Foundation and Degree standard. Have been involved in many Artists in Residence schemes. Also, run a multitude of workshops privately and for Arts Associations
Is your work in any public or private collections?My work appears in Private and Public collections both in the UK and abroad.
Have you written any books/had any articles published?I have had articles published in specialist magazines