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Picture this: It’s late 2021.

You have a portfolio bursting at the seams with sketchbooks, studies and finished works. You are ready to confidently approach galleries or plan a solo exhibition or host your own open studio. You fill out applications for the kind of exhibitions you could only have dreamed of applying for before. You may even be considering an art residency.

You have a unique, rich, cohesive body of work. It doesn’t look like the work of your teachers or guides or favourite artists.

It looks like YOUR work.

Every piece bears your signature and tells your unique story.

Do you wish to create a series of work that is absolutely unique to you?

Knowing where to begin or how to progress your art practice can be overwhelming.

Art tutorials, ecourses and art classes that focus on technique have inspired you to create and make art. But as you’ve grown as an artist, they may have left you feeling frustrated, replicating the work of others. Is it time for you to go further and create art that can only come from you – a unique, individual human being?

It takes more than paint and Pinterest to create artwork that is a meaningful embodiment of your own unique experience.

We can create art that is unique to our own personal history, inspirations, curiosities, loves, challenges and dreams. Building a whole body of related work allows you to go deeper into what inspires you and cements your place in the world as an artist who has something unique to say.

How do we even begin to imagine what we can add to the art world? What can we create that has not already been made?

Each one of us has something unique inside of us –
our own voice.

Whilst this journey is one of great discovery and exploration, it can also lead us down pathways of indecision, doubt and uncertainty. We may even at times think about turning back – unsure about which direction to go and how to continue.

In my own journey to becoming a professional artist, I often longed to have someone to guide me, to help me navigate my own unique odyssey – a mentor. Someone who has been there before and made it through the various highs and lows of creating unique and meaningful work that could only have come from their own experience.

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Building a Body of Work –

Your Art, Your Way

Guides you to discover the inspiration that is already within you

Helps you find ways of building a strong body of work that is cohesive, rich and focussed

Supports you as you go through the joys and inevitable challenges of creating the work

It requires an openness to discover the initial seeds of an idea, confidence to sow those seeds and create the work and concrete strategies to navigate the challenges of motivation, doubt and procrastination that occur for every artist. We then need ways of staying on track as the work is being created and a steady momentum to bring it all to life.

Through weekly lessons, prompts and challenges, group and individual mentoring, regular check ins and mutual accountability , this programme will guide you to figure out whether you are following your muse or simply going through the motions. I will cheer you on when you are making wonderful strides in the development of your work and gently encourage you to stay the course when you are tempted to go off track.

As a professional, exhibiting artist, I have experienced every joy, doubt, breakthrough and pitfall that can happen when you are making art. A focus on creating artwork that is unique to my experience and my story has been the most rewarding and fulfilling thing I have experienced in my art career. I have created this programme to share with you everything I know about the power of creating a rich, cohesive body of work that only you can create.

Are you ready to unearth the very seeds of your ideas (whether you have any now or not), delve deep into your chosen theme or subject and develop a strong, cohesive body of work?

May I guide you through the journey of Building a Body of Work that only you can create?

Could this in-depth and intensive online programme be the support you need to explore your own creativity and deepen your art practice?

REGISTRATION FOR 2021 IS FULL.

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Fast forward to late 2021 and the unique, rich, cohesive body of work you’ve unearthed from within you. Every piece bears your signature and tells your unique story.

Your journey might include portraits, landscapes, abstracts, intuitive explorations, paintings, textile art, drawings or mixed media.* It could be anything you want it to be. But it holds together as a strong body of work because it is all connected – it represents you. It represents the artist you know you can be.

You will be ready to take the next step – to go wherever your artwork wants to take you. The months spent discovering and developing your artistic voice have brought you to this place. The hard work has paid off.

*Please note – THERE ARE NO VIDEO ARE TUTORIALS IN THIS PROGRAMME. The expectation is that you already have the techniques and tools and know how to apply them to your art practice. This programme is about building a body of work in a subject, medium and materials of your choosing.

Please Join Me as We

Ask questions that will help you get to the heart of your creativity and what makes you a unique individual and artist
Unearth several possibilities for creating a series of work (and choose one of them!)
Identify a strong focus for your art practice for the duration of the programme
Learn about the unique ways in which our celebrated artists have crafted a rich identity and body of work
Navigate the highs and lows of building a sustained art practice with a strong framework of support and guidance
Draw on the shared experience of a small group of like-minded artists on their own unique journey
And most importantly, create a rich and cohesive body of work

Building a Body of Work – Your Art, Your Way is for artists committed to a regular art practice who are seeking additional structure and support to help them on their journey.

January 2021 – October 2021

NINE MONTHS of structured learning,

assignments and support

Group AND individual mentoring

If you are willing and open to commit to a sustained period of intense creativity and growth in your art practice, you will be amazed at how consistent progression can take your work to the next level.

What Students are Saying

“Gillian’s Building a Body of Work course has been a huge step in helping me find direction in my art. I’ve spent several years doing a bit of this and a bit of that (because it’s always fun to try out new materials and techniques!) but had no direction in my art practice. BABW has been the perfect answer for me. Gillian’s thought provoking questions have helped me discover my “why”. Her course is full of engaging lessons that are helping me see art, both mine and others, in a deeper, more meaningful way. It seems that Gillian looks inside me, sees what makes me tick, and then gives me the eyes to see it also. It has been well worth the time and effort!”

Debbie

“Building a body of work is the most thoroughly complete course I have taken. It will not change you as an artist but it will expand you as an artist. It will deepen your practice and help you become the artist you want to be. The written content is broad and varied and ever so helpful. I think it is the mentoring sessions that brought it all together for me. Gilllian is a very wise artist and mentor who has gone through everything you will in creating a body of work. Her insight and examples are invaluable. If you are hesitant and signing up for such a long program, I suggest you take the leap, invest in yourself as an artist. It will be the most amazing year.”

Kate

“It is hard to even begin to express the degree to which Gillian’s mentorship course, Building a Body of Work-Your Art-Your Way, has helped me move forward in my art. The effort and time she has put into this course are obvious in the quality of the course materials. The feedback from Gillian on the Facebook group page, in the small group meetings and the personal 1 on 1 sessions have been invaluable. I finally understand how to focus on, research and develop a body of work that holds together…I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in creating their own body of work. It has been an amazing journey.”

Judy

“This class has by far been the most enriching and challenging class I’ve ever taken and I think it came along exactly when it was meant to. I was ready to go this deep and deeper. I felt I had reached a cross roads in my art and my creative process and I wasn’t sure how to move forward. I wasn’t sure I was going to cope with non instructional videos being a visual person but actually it has been the greatest gift about this class. I now see how important this step was for me because it forced me to do the work and find things out for myself, what’s inside of me and doing my art, my way. I will continue to do the work with these tools as I continue to learn, grow and go deeper. Researching, free writing and intensive mentoring has deeply changed the way I approach my creative process. I realized that this approach has been something I had been longing to learn for a very long time. Thank you, Gillian, for your gentle but firm mentoring and your deeply thought provoking material that has deeply changed my creative life.”

Jeanne-Marie

“Building a Body of Work is providing the foundations, framework, scaffolding, impetus and momentum to get from my starting point to where I want and need to be – in terms of practical AND mental support and nourishment, throughout what is a pretty all-consuming journey. It is comprehensive, rigorous but also sensitively (and almost miraculously) nuanced – in Gillian’s inimitable way – to your own individual needs, strengths, psyche, aesthetic and direction.“

Gilly

An Online Programme of Weekly Study

Each week you will be able to access the course content for reading, recordings, prompts and inspiration. Small stepping stones that will build a pathway for your journey whilst encouraging you to focus your time and energy on your studio practice and the development of your body of work. Lesson content will also be available in audio format so you can listen whilst in your creative workspace – less time at your computer and more time creating.

You will also be encouraged to set your intentions and attend regular check-ins throughout the course to keep you on track.

Prompts and Assignments

Exercises to prompt exploration and self reflection. There will be an assignment for each chapter, which will be based on your progress for the chapter and to include at least one fully developed piece of work (if more if you wish!) for your series along with supporting work.

Ongoing Support and Encouraging Critiques

Regular support, encouragement and discussion in the private Facebook group.

Regular Group Mentoring Calls

Regular group video calls (6+) following each assignment submission. Here, in depth feedback will be given as well as Q & A’s and encouragement and ideas for further progress. Feedback will be given for all members who submit their monthly assignment even if you are unable to attend the call.

These sessions will be recorded so that you can refer back to them.

Personal Mentoring Calls

You will also receive three personal mentoring calls with me to talk about your progress, your breakthroughs and any challenges you may be facing.

Commit to the Process

Due to the very small group size, you will be expected to commit to being an active and regular member of the programme as well as take part in the private class group with your peers. You will connect with other members, share your progress, offer support as you in turn will be supported and regularly check in to ensure you stay on track.

This programme will take a dedicated amount of time and focus to work through. Be prepared to create space in your week for the work involved. You will be asked to set your intentions for the week and plan your schedule. I estimate that the lessons will take around 4 – 5 hours a week (although many will be available as an audio file that you can listen to whilst creating if you wish). This will allow you even more time for creating the work!

Create the Work

How much art you create during the programme is completely up to you. You can dedicate as much time as you wish to the creative/practical focus of creating your artwork although you will be expected to submit at least one art piece each chapter for review. (You can create many more of course!)

You will be encouraged to have a regular sketchbook practice and create studies to support your body of work. The aim is to have at least six fully resolved pieces of artwork by the end of the programme.

It is recommended that you already have a regular art practice before pursuing this programme as dedication and engagement is key.

REGISTRATION FOR 2021 IS FULL.

I'm sorry!

Join me in 2022.

Not Ready this Year? Missed out on Registering?

Does this sound like just the programme you’ve been looking for but you’re all booked up for 2021? Need time to save up for this one-of-a-kind investment in yourself and your work? We get it! Simply click on the button below and fill out the form on the following page to be added to a special interest list for Building a Body of Work when it is offered again in 2022.

2022, Please!

What Comes After?

Towards the end of the programme, you will have the opportunity to explore what comes next. Once you have created the work, what do you do with it? Exhibit? Apply for juried shows? Approach galleries?

We will discuss the possibilities for getting your work out there.

You will also have the opportunity to continue with personal mentoring

(at a special rate!) following the programme if you wish.

Your Investment

The investment for this fully immersive structured programme with personal mentoring and group support is £2500* (GBP) if paid in full by 1st November 2020. A £500 deposit is due upon registering.

A payment plan of five monthly payments of £440* (£2700 total) is available. A £500 deposit is due upon registering. Monthly payments begin 1st November 2020.

*Please check at www.xe.com to convert this to your own currency from GBP.

Are you ready to commit to Build a Body of Work – Your Art, Your Way?

Go beyond inspiration and replication!

Unearth your ideas and create a theme for a strong body of work!

Focus on growth and cultivate your own art practice!

Create your best work yet!

Feel supported and encouraged as you explore and create!

I want to receive regular updates!

Sign me up!

If you are dedicated to taking your art to the next level and building a body of work that truly represents you as a unique artist, then this programme could be for you.

This programme is not for everyone. It will take time, dedication, hard work and a deep commitment to furthering your art practice.

But if the following statements resonate with you then I believe you are in the right place!

I have loved learning from art tutorials and the work of other artists but now it is time to go my own way – forge my own path. Embrace my unique talents.*
I know how to make art and I have everything I need in terms of skills and tools. I now need ideas and a focus to go further on my journey!
I have the time, commitment, focus and energy.
I am ready to show up. No excuses.
I know it isn’t about finding the time – it is about making the time. I am ready.

This programme will suit you if you are ready to settle down and find your own style and see it through to a complete body of work that is ready for you to call your very own. Whether that means that you aim to begin applying for galleries, exhibitions, residency applications or to focus your art practice for your own enrichment.

*Are you a serial art ecourse participant? Do you revel in having lots of courses, projects, techniques and styles on the go all at once? Do you struggle to keep all the plates in the air but can’t quite let them go? You are a butterfly and I love your passion, creative energy and enthusiasm! However, I am hesitant to recommend Building a Body of Work as the course for you.

I recommend that participants of this programme focus on this project alone for the duration of the course. It will take time and commitment and perhaps will not work for those who have many other projects on the go at the same time. If the timing isn’t right for you, I hope you will consider joining me at a future date or contact me for more information on private mentoring.

Want More Details?

Are you looking for more detailed information about what will be covered in this exciting new programme offered by popular professional artist, mentor and instructor, Gillian Lee Smith?

Simply click on the button below to download a detailed informational PDF packet.

Download PDF Now

Not Ready this Year?

Does this sound like just the programme you’ve been looking for but you’re all booked up for 2020?
Need time to save up for this investment in yourself and your art? We get it! Simply click on the button below and fill out the form on the following page to be added to a special interest list for Building a Body of Work when it is offered again in 2022.

2022, Please!