Dominic Kesterton

Notes from the talk: 

• Using images to create a world rather than a linear story.
• After uni he was doing print fairs including elcaf. 
• His worlds were language-less, images are universal, there's no need for explanation.
• Risograph printing - set up Workhorse press which was a printing service he used to make money. Through this he also made contacts and had a studio space. Quit this when freelance illustration work took off. 
• First big job after university - converse, drawing over photographs of launch. 
• Pick Me Up, Somerset House
• His work spans pattern design and illustration for specific things. These are the main things people ask for. 
• Works loosely in sketchbooks, professional work is more controlled so its good to have a space to loosen up. 
• Arrangements/compositions - finding balance in an image. 
• His practice is split between commissioned work and developing personal work into sellable products. 
• Big projects for big companies may seem like the ultimate dream but they are often the most pressured. He finds he's happiest when developing his personal work. 

I wouldn't say Dominic's drawing style is particularly relevant to the way I work but I could see a parallel between Dominic's practice and how I can see my own practice functioning in the future. The idea of splitting his practice into commissioned work and personal work is something I can see working for me. I think using commercial briefs as the money making projects which allow you to do what you really want to do is a nice way for things to balance. Also, the personal work will be a constant that you can continue develop long term while shorter commercial briefs are require your attention in shorter, more intense bursts. 

Contact - David Laycock - Independent Leeds

David Laycock from Independent Leeds got in touch with me via Instagram asking for any photographs I had of my Virgin Media box artwork for a feature they are doing on the project in the next issue of the magazine. I was promised a credit and thought this would be good exposure as a lot of people pick up this magazine and have a read, especially because it’s free and there’s always copies available at cafés, bars and shops across Leeds. I replied to his message via email. I know this was only a brief point of contact but this might be useful for the future. 

Industry Contacts Task

I identified these agencies, companies and publishers and then did some research into the individual people I could contact within them. I now need to figure out what I actually want to send to them. I also need to have a think about whether I want to go down the route of having an agent or not. Even if I don't it might still be a good idea to send my work out and see what kind of feedback I get back. 

Pet Portrait Commission

I picked up a commission over Christmas for a pet portrait. The couple (from a village near Loughborough) who it was for are my dad's customers and friends and they noticed my work around the house when they came to pay him for some work. They wanted a portrait of their dog and sent over some photos but I realised they weren't good enough quality for me to work from, especially for the size of the picture they wanted and the level of detail. I decided to arrange a visit to their home to organise all the details rather than using my dad as the messenger which is what seemed to have been happening. While I was there I agreed a size, payment and timings for the work to be completed. I also took my own photos of the dog so I knew I had everything I needed. This seemed like an effort at the time to visit their home but it made everything so much easier in the long run. I got everything sorted in one visit rather than dealing with miscommunication and missed information. I think they really appreciated it as they hadn't met me before and I could tell they were much more comfortable with a face to face conversation rather than an email or phone call. 

At the time I met them, I was overloaded with cop work so I said it would be complete by the end of January. They were in no hurry at all but I thought it was best to give them a rough completion date. I told myself I would have this finished by the 20th January, just in case anything came up which delayed me. 

I pieced together an image from the photos I took and tried used the composition and style of the one they saw in my house as a guide. I completed the portrait a couple of days before the 20th, I signed, mounted and framed it and also wrote a little note as I knew I wouldn't be able to deliver it in person due to the short amount of time I would be visiting home. Their payment was processed on the same day that they received the picture. 

I have heard since that they are really pleased with it and they have already passed my email address onto someone else who might be interested in a similar thing for their pet which is great news! 

The commissions I have done so far have been for people connected to myself or my family in some way which means I am handling them in a more relaxed way than if they were total strangers. There is an element of trust which may not be present with future clients - this is making me think that I need to get a more formal invoice or document prepared for if/when this situation does occur. 

Christmas Task

Networking

What do you see as the main 'indicators' to your practice and your 'motivation' to produce the work you find rewarding?
I'd like to think that my work can make people happy or that they can learn something from it. Either one of these would make me see it as a success. 

What are you 'passionate' about?
Food, travel, making the most of life, drawing, a healthy lifestyle, dogs, family. 

Describe 'you' in a story as a character.
I'd probably be an extra in a film about my own life. I don't really like being centre of attention so I'd be ok with that. I'd be the tall one for sure. 

What in your memory was the best 'holiday' you had?
City hopping around Europe with some of my oldest and closest friends. 

Give examples of advice given in life that you have found valuable. 
'Will it matter this time next year?' And it normally doesn't, I try to remember this when I am getting stressed about or worried about things that are insignificant in the long term. 
'Have as much fun as you like but always be in control.' - My Grandpa 

If you could 'interview' anyone in history, who and why?
I would love to interview Stephen Fry, I think talking to him would be like reading an encyclopaedia. I watch a lot of QI and I love all those weird facts. 

Promoting Yourself

List potential things to promote you and your practice. 
A website, social media accounts, LinkedIn, business cards, mail-outs, sending out my CV, attending events, art fairs, doing live briefs, etc.

How could you connect with potential clients, employers, collaboratives in daily life?
Attend events, keep up to date with social media and engage with other people through it. 

What do you want to tell them and why?
I want them to know I am available for work and I am enthusiastic and motivated. I want them to see me as a professional and not 'just a student'. 

Who could enhance my practice potential?
Hallmark, Paperchase, Ohh Deer, Stolen Publications, UK Greetings...

Draft a communication to them. Keep it short and try to 'illicit' a response mechanism somewhere.
I really don't feel ready to be sending out my work just yet, I feel like I don't have enough work that I actually like and I wouldn't feel confident putting it forward. I think anything I send out at this point will be more advice and question based which would illicit a response. 

What tone of voice would you use?
I want to come across as professional so there needs to be some formalities but I do want to be seen as friendly and approachable, someone easy to work with. 

What do you see as the important reasons for promoting yourself?
Work isn't just going to fall at my feet once I get a degree, I need to work hard to make people aware that I am here and I am available for work. I need to be attracting new clients but also making sure that people who already know about me don't forget about me. 

The Hepworth Gallery

I visited the Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield today for the first time. I sat and drew lots of sculptures and left feeling pretty inspired. I think I've found my new happy and chill out place. Definitely will be returning. 

Recommendation and Response to Questions from Ruth Overy

After completing the communication box project in Headingley I emailed Ruth (the organiser) for a short recommendation and to ask her a few questions. This was her response.

Re: Naomi Smith.  Painting Virgin Media Communication Boxes in Headingley

Naomi's work

Our group was delighted with her exquisite design and then the way Naomi approached her work. She was considerate and easy to work with –giving us accurate timings of when she could come, always positive.  The days were dark, cold and often damp and you could still see Naomi out there slowly turning the lump of metal into something wonderful. Once she even used the torch on her telephone so that she could work late. We now have passers-by saying their spirits are lifted by Naomi’s work.  She understood what we were looking for in a design and we are very grateful for that and for her talent in how she then executed her work. Many thanks also to the University for supporting this project.

What inspired you (and Ash Road Area Residents Association) to start this project?
ARARA is a residents organisation whose basic aim is to improve the neighbourhood.  The area over the last 20 years has become dominated by student residents and that has created real challenges, much as most of us enjoy our student neighbours.  Our priorities were traffic, rubbish and noise and we have made progress. More recently we began to think of ways to ‘beautify’ the area and someone thought of decorating communication boxes.  I think it was Chris Baird, the council’s environmental officer for the area.  Eventually we got permission – it wasn’t difficult in itself it is just that we spent six months pursuing the wrong lead at Virgin Media.  We would not have chosen this time of year, but in fact it is in many ways the optimum time of year for student projects like this.

How have you found your experience of working with creative students?
The truth is I’ve been ‘knocked out’.  I have learned a lot about artists. Someone said that organising art students is a bit like ‘herding cats’ and I was kind of expecting that. But their discipline has been stunning.  Of course there are a couple who have not yet painted, but I think for very good reasons.  Not only have the students’ designs been good, but their attitude and consistency with their work and ability to translate a paper design to a metal box has been inspiring. I have yet to work out how they manage to keep themselves and their paints so ordered and tidy. ARARA is very grateful to their goodwill and good energy.

Do you think the project has been successful? Why?
Yes I do. The councillors have supported us with some MICE funding so that we were able to purchase the paints and brushes needed, this helped enormously.  We had a good response from students and other artists and we have had several people get in touch to ask if they could do one.  We can stretch to boxes a bit further afield but must wait until better weather. The local resident artists will also wait to do theirs.  The designs submitted were of a higher quality than expected and working with students has just been an absolute delight.  Residents are thrilled and the area looks better. The only really challenging thing is the problem with covering the boxes with plastic each day the artist does some work, in order to protect them from  graffiti. This can go on for days and is nerve-wracking as sometimes the covers have been removed and we are terrified the artists’ work will be damaged before we use our EASY-ON anti-graffiti lacquer.  The manager of Urban Hygiene who supplies the product gave it to us half price as he loves street art! So far seven boxes are lacqured, another is  due to be anti-graffitied tomorrow, and one more very soon.



I am really happy with Ruth's response and am grateful she took the time to respond to me. I am hoping to use this to write another post for my LinkedIn account. I am hoping that a local project such as this might help me connect with more people in Leeds who would be valuable contacts to me. It will also be good to include parts of what she has written about my work as a kind of reference for my work and my character.