Student Stories

Beth Strickland

New Zealand Diploma in Creativity

Distance Delivery

It wasn't until COVID-19 hit and I lost my job that I found my silver lining. I got offered a scholarship at TLC and have been more focused over the past couple of years moving from Level 4 to Level 5 now.

The flexibility and experimentation is huge for me. I've really enjoyed being able to work on projects and be guided by a mentor. It's been a great environment that encourages experimentation. I like it when I can go along for Block Weeks and when I've been able to do just one day in class as a distance student. Learning from other students is a big part of that.

When it all starts to come together and you wake up the next morning, have another look at it and think yup, I love it. You can't beat that feeling. That's the WOW moment. Sometimes I look at work I did a little while ago and am a bit stunned – in that I'm surprised I could do that.

I almost always go through the ugly stage when making my abstract work. That moment when I think I've ruined it – but actually I never do. I've learnt I can always fix it. But I guess the highlight is when you make the breakthrough and recover from that ugly stage.

When it all starts to come together and you wake up the next morning, have another look at it and think yup, I love it. You can't beat that feeling. That's the WOW moment. Sometimes I look at work I did a little while ago and am a bit stunned – in that I'm surprised I could do that.

My confidence has gone up in huge leaps. I don't worry what people think about my work or compare myself to others anymore. My favourite saying is 'it's my job to make work to a level I'm happy with – it's the audience's job to seek out work that resonates with them'. I've also got a lot, lot braver – trying lots of different things and just putting it out there.

Jimmy Taylor

New Zealand Diploma in Creativity

Onsite

Seeing my first finished glazed piece – that's when I knew I was onto something. I can create the colors and textures that I imagine and make them 3D. A drawing of an idea can only portray so much, whereas physical touch makes an idea real.

I hadn't drawn or created anything since I was a young teen. I had a lot of self-doubt, and it wasn't until I started getting feedback from fellow students and tutors that I started to have confidence in my art.

Experience everything, tastetest every class that the school has to offer, a new method or technique can always elevate the vision you are trying to create.

It's only recently that I've allowed myself to truly create, to draw, to put pen to paper and make my world a reality.

It's only recently that I've allowed myself to truly create, to draw, to put pen to paper and make my world a reality.

The tutors at TLC have a huge knowledge base about artist techniques that can be applied to a student’s overall vision and encourage new ways of trial and error.

Experience everything, taste-test every class that the school has to offer, a new method or technique can always elevate the vision you are trying to create.

I've gained confidence in developing a personal style, and confidence in myself. My life hasn't been the easiest of roads... Art has been my escape from the world around me and the situations that I've found myself in.

Frances Caldwell

New Zealand Diploma in Creativity

Distance Delivery

I was on the wrong path, but I didn’t know what the new one was. The only thing clear was that I needed to do more of what nourished my brain and less of what made it feel like it was daily being stripped and shredded in a grinder.

From the other side of 18 months of mentorship from Keri-Mei, my perspective on life has changed. Most strikingly, I’ve stopped anxiously searching for what to do “when I grow up”. I’ve accepted that being creative, visually, is something I need to do for my own health and sanity.

‘I was on the wrong path, but I didn’t know what the new one was. The only thing clear was that I needed to do more of what nourished my brain and less of what made it feel like it was daily being stripped and shredded in a grinder.’

‘I’m not a patient person, not especially a details person, and certainly not someone prepared to suffer for my art. But when it comes to making jewellery, I’m in the moment, focused and content. Time disappears.’

I’ve accepted that while not everyone sees that as a valid life choice, many people are supportive. I’ve learned how to set creative goals and work in a way that is emotionally sustainable, rather than my old workaholic drivenness I’ve learned that I can calmly set goals and solve problems in other areas of my life too.

I’m not a patient person, not especially a details person, and certainly not someone prepared to suffer for my art. But when it comes to making jewellery, I’m in the moment, focused and content. Time disappears.

Clinton Christian

New Zealand Diploma in Creativity

Distance Delivery

On New Year’s day 2018 I woke up with an overwhelming feeling that my purpose was to be creating. At the time I was unsure exactly what but thought let’s just do it and see what happens.

My love for painting and creating art was suppressed for many years by the time constraints of family life and working hands-on in construction, and later as a self-taught architectural designer. (My mentor) Linda is great and often throws something out there I haven't considered as well as giving me some accountability.

The more you try things the more you want to try things differently. Inspiration is everywhere but generally thinking of the things I love or loved as a child and trying to imagine the colour and joy those things would bring to others in a unique or personal way.

My Retro Pop work has been created while studying at TLC and is a bit of a directional shift from 2020. So far it is being received really well and I have had a few sales as well as a few requested commissions (Note: Clinton was winner of the People’s Choice Award at the 2022 Auckland Art Show!)

The more you try things the more you want to try things differently. Inspiration is everywhere but generally thinking of the things I love or loved as a child and trying to imagine the colour and joy those things would bring to others in a unique or personal way.

I feel I have come a long way in a short time but am only just taking my first steps. I'm so excited about what I will create in the future and can't even imagine what that may be!

If you feel it's your purpose just go for it...create, create, create...the more you do, the more you learn and grow with confidence.