Norwich NUA illustration student Lois Farnsworth - her journey

Here we take a closer look at one of the finalists, Lois Farnsworth.

I am an illustrator studying at Norwich University of the Arts who uses analogue processes like printmaking and collage, fuelled by my interest in what makes people who they are.

I identify unique traits in people and highlight them through considered emphasis, making my work highly personal.

Vietnamese Water Puppets - A screenprint featuring the evolution of the practice, from performing in rice fields, to theatres, to a prediction it will progress to floodwater to raise awareness of rising sea levels (Image: Lois Farnsworth)

I have experience working with clients through Etsy and have engaged with live briefs, shaping my attentive communication to deliver a shared outcome.

I believe it is important to raise the profile of crafting, in tandem with giving people voices visually, to represent smaller communities through quality pieces.

My experience of printmaking has developed my standards in producing a run of identical products, suited for a commercial setting.

My work aims to celebrate community and my interest in people through pattern, texture, and print.

Through my use of colour and careful research, I like to produce tactile outcomes that I fully immerse myself in the process of making, starting the journey of each piece in the creative stage rather than when it reaches its completion and use.

I return to the theme of togetherness and what makes people uniquely them – I sketch in public and am often drawn to the way people carry themselves and their clothing, as well as wondering what they do.

I also enjoy creating work around the theme of expression, including music and dance, emphasising movement and tone through exaggerated forms.

I realised I wanted to pursue art seriously during A-Level when I was deciding between a degree in illustration or history.

I worried that if I made illustration my career, it would lose its charm and become more of a necessity, but ultimately I liked the way I could incorporate my passion for research and exploration into my art and harness it in a visual format.

Making is my language, and the drive I have to complete projects with layers of meaning needed to be explored, by turning a hobby into what will hopefully become a career.

About your work:

I feel most fulfilled by analogue processes, as I appreciate being very involved in a process, from generating ideas to executing the outcome.

I have become particularly interested in printmaking as often the process contributes so much more meaning to a piece, and now more than ever it is vital that the artist is integral to the meaning of a piece as technology may be able to reproduce an image, but it cannot authentically produce a piece with someone’s character running through it.

Relax in Nature - Inspired by The Onion Garden and small community spaces (Image: Lois Farnsworth)

I am in the process of printing a linocut based on the generous culture in Ho Chi Minh City, looking at the release of carp for Tet New Year.

I depicted the carp decoratively, with patterns I produced based on architectural features of key landmarks in the area, to feel like a celebration of the city and its busy nature.

I am a listener and value being approachable which contributes towards the subject matter I choose to depict.

I like to make people feel seen and safe and aim to make my work do the same, acting as an extension of what’s important to me.

Going out and sketching draws people into conversations I would not have had if I didn’t immerse myself in my practice, and these real connections inform my work.

About your journey:

My biggest challenge to my practice has been establishing a presence and financially valuing my work enough.

As illustration and making is my pastime and my work, I have found it difficult to not undersell myself because I enjoy what I am doing.

Furthermore, I am aware that people do not see all of the work that goes into each outcome and whilst I can explain my process in person, I need to develop more of an online presence that makes people feel involved.

I am hoping to create a website including a portfolio and shop this year to help provide a professional insight into what I do and why.

Studying illustration at NUA is an experience that has catalysed my growth a lot, primarily due to the resources and studios I have access to, to be able to realise ideas.

Being able to discuss ideas with my tutors and technicians has helped me to develop my ideas.