kipperbearart.etsy.com
My Story
"The richness I achieve comes from nature, the source of my inspiration."
Claude Monet
My love of drawing started a very early age and my mum tells me I was a habitual doodler even as a toddler. I've had lots of jobs over the years but I am never as happy when I can sit at my desk and make my thoughts come alive. In 2005 I was lucky enough to secure a postition in the BBC Props Department and ended up working there for 3 years. Thats me (pictured right) with the Trotter's van from the much loved British tv classic Only Fools & Horses. Below is one of the many rubber chickens I was placed in charge of.
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Portsmouth University Illustration Degree and the high cost of acrylic paint.
In 2005 after completing a Foundation Course at Fulham College London I left my job as a props man BBC to embark upon a University Degree in Illustration. I already had a National Diploma in Cartooning an A'level in art and had also been making some money with a sideline in cartoons for years but felt that at the age of 32 a University Degree was really something that could hone my skills!
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So one bright morning in October of 2005 I set off from London to the quietude of Portsmouth - England's second most densely populated city! Overall though I had a good time, met some lovely friends and settled down with a flat by the sea and a cat called Mrs Higgins!
The picture right shows the latter stages of a friendly protest over the price of acrylic paint, held by fellow mature art student Gerald Hunter then aged 71 in that glorious summer by the sea in 2006.
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Pictured right is Gerald in his studio with his lovely wife Rita whom both recieved recieved 6 month suspended sentences for disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct. At a separate trial Rita was found guilty of assaulting a police office and contempt of court for lewd remarks. She recieved a custodial sentence of 4 months.
Shortly after this picture taken Gerald was asked to leave the Degree course. Sadly the price of acrylics rose again the following semester.
Portmouth University - you may just be able to make out the Chaplaincy centre and prayer rooms to the right.
Gerald and his lovely wife Rita.
