Case studies: Printmaker: Sue

After completing a first degree some years ago, Sue graduated from Falmouth College of Art with a Masters in Illustration in 2007. For two years she worked for the college on a series of temporary contracts as a technician and undertook a number of international residencies. She then applied for and started work as a printmaking apprentice at Edinburgh Printmakers in 2010.

I chose printmaking as a career because I studied fine art and illustration. I think because drawing is so important to me printmaking emerged as my preferred medium.

My initial work experience was through working in a college environment. I completed my Masters degree then applied for this apprenticeship when I saw it advertised. I was working as an artist in residence in a studio in Amsterdam at the time and they supported my application.

In order to get on in this field you need to be creative of course, but also methodical in your way of working and prepared to work collaboratively. The work can be physically hard and you may also have to work for very little money or even none at all at first.

The skills and experience which I brought to the job include craft and fine art practice based on studio work and knowledge of technical processes and techniques. I would say my subjects of study, which were fine art and illustration, were essential in securing my position. I haven’t been in the post for very long so it is too soon to say just how the role will develop. But as I progress in my career, I anticipate continuing to combine making and selling my own work with earning additional money printing for others.

The aspects of the job I particularly enjoy are the friendly working atmosphere and the creative environment. Meeting and assisting other artists is constantly rewarding and I like the fact that I’m not stuck sitting behind a desk most of the time. The job is part time so I'm also able to continue with my own projects in Edinburgh, London and abroad.

I would say the less enjoyable parts of the job include cleaning sediment out of catchment tanks and recycling dirty rags. Some other everyday tasks can be quite repetitive like filing metal plates but there is always music playing and people to chat to whatever is going on.

Health and safety is important because of chemicals, moving machinery and the need to shift heavy objects like lithographic stones around.

If you're prepared to muck in and like being part of a team as much as doing your own thing, working in a busy studio like Edinburgh Printmakers is a fantastic opportunity.