ARTIST STATEMENT
My work is shaped by everyday experiences and the personal connections that surround me, I take inspiration from my own life, including personal memories into my projects. I often reference friends and family, sometimes through photographs embedded in collages, other times through significant places captured in monoprints. These personal additions allow me to connect more deeply with the piece, submerging myself in the emotions and storytelling behind it. In turn, it becomes easier for the viewer to understand the message I’m communicating. Nature, travel, and human interactions, whether that be with close friends and family, or passing strangers are my biggest sources of inspiration. I find connection to be one of the most powerful creative drives, the way people move, speak, behave, and exist in their environments continually shapes my ideas. Sustainability is also important to me. Being mindful of my impact on the world and the people around me guides the choices I make as both an artist and a designer. It’s a value that sits alongside my creative process, influencing not only the themes in my work but also the materials and methods I choose to use. I’m heavily influenced by the DIY spirit of the 1980s punk movement, particularly the raw, expressive visual language that comes across in the DIY movement. The authentic experimental, rule breaking approach has inspired me since first studying Graphic Design at A level, and continues to shape the way I think about layout, texture and typography.
I have a year’s experience in the industry since graduating, working freelance as the designer for the small clothing company Stomata. My time was mainly spent creating product and packaging design, creating visuals that aligned with the brand’s identity and communicated its values. Working with Stomata taught me how to design with intention, I learned how to translate ideas into tangible outcomes and how to adapt my artistic style to suit a client’s vision. It strengthened my understanding of visual communication, improved my design workflow, and taught me how to deliver consistent, high-quality work under tight deadlines.
The art of questioning has enabled me to become more experimental and allowed me to grow more as an artist. Before university, I would say I was a perfectionist, don’t get me wrong when I have a vision in my mind I won’t stop until that it reached, but I don’t stick to boundaries any more and like to push to see alternative outcomes also. My time studying at Bath Spa was crucial for my development as a designer, the variety of workshops opened my eyes to the world of print beyond Lino, which I was a big fan of before hand, although my love for print only grew from seeing what others were creating with print. I really loved the studio atmosphere and thrived from speaking with my peers, interested in their projects and benefitted from sharing feedback, enabling the best outcomes. Towards the end of my studies I began experimenting more with cyanotype and RISO, I partly wish I discovered these earlier on, although it hasn’t stopped me finding ways to produce these prints since finishing. I combine the physical and digital in my work, I find I always produce my best work when I don’t have a cemented vision for the outcome. Much of my work has some element of texture and layers, whether that come from collage or print for example. Using analogue techniques add a sense of authenticity and craft that I don’t believe can be replicated through a screen, for this reason I love to create using analogue methods, making art by hand is a core factor of my process. However I often develop these outcomes on photoshop, enhancing colours or altering compositions. I am forever grateful for my time at university for showing me the lack of boundaries in design and importance of experimentation, not to simply stick with the first outcome.
Spending a year travelling around Asia was one of the most influential years of my life, shaping the way I see the world and shifting my perspective. Being somewhere new gave me a fresh perspective and a desire to capture my time in a place, I carried a sketchbook and 12 pan watercolour set with me which quickly became my main way of documenting my memories. It was my most valuable possession on me and it came to the point that I would’ve rather lost my passport over my sketchbook. It told my story of where I’ve been and allowed me to create personal souvenirs. My time in Asia opened my eyes to ways of living that I never would have understood if I had stayed at home, experiencing different cultures and daily routines sparked an interest in how others live, how communities and values change. These encounters continue to influence the stories I tell in my work. One of the most meaningful experiences was spending six weeks living with an Indigenous village in northern Thailand. Their sense of contentment, finding joy and fulfilment in what they had rather than what they lacked was incredibly grounding. Embracing their way of life shifted my perspective on simplicity, gratitude, and the importance of connection. It’s a lesson that has stayed with me and continues to shape both my art and my outlook.
I believe there is a difference between an artist and designer and find it interesting hearing how others interpret this also. Both an artist and designer are equally as creative but the intention behind the work is what separates them. Artists evoke emotion through story telling whereas designers set out with more of an outcome and problem to solve through their work. I like to think that I sit somewhere in the middle of the two, seeing myself as both an artist and a designer and approach every project with the balance of the two. The artist in me loves creativity and emotion and the designer makes sure every piece has intention and solves a problem, the balance of the two shapes every project I work on and make it come to life.
To me life is all about experiences and I aim to make as many as possible. Success is my happiness, to be rich with experiences and to be able to capture them through creation, whether that be through prints, photography or my sketchbook. I aim to let no moment go unrecognised nor unappreciated for everything in life is what you make of it.
EXPERIENCE
Freelance Designer- Stomata
Created clothing and packaging design, as well as social media visuals for the sustainable clothing brand. Worked closely with clients to understand their goals and translate concepts into adaptable designs that met their requirement of the design being suitable to be embroidered onto the clothing. Continually expanding skills through an introduction into the industry.
Tash Elliott 