After more research into the idea of open work, I came across another artist who channelled it in their work ! This is a book by illustrator Lorna Scobie, and it's filled with creative activities for everyday of the year. I actually came across this on instagram, and thought it would be worth getting in touch to ask a couple of questions to inform my essay in the hope she'd reply. I decided to message her through instagram which I know isn't the most professional way of contacting someone but I noticed she was very active on there so there might of been a higher chance of a response! and luckily a few days later I got a nice reply from her. Here was what I asked:
Hello there :-)
My name is Marnie and i'm currently studying illustration in my third year at Leeds Arts University. I can switch over to email if you'd prefer.
I'm currently working on my dissertation, and focusing on the 'open work' model, i'm not sure if you are familiar with it! It was a book by Umberto Eco focusing on open ended work- much like the books you produce!
After a lot of research I came across your book '365 days of art' (can't believe I hadn't come across it sooner!) and thought it would be a really good example to mention in my essay. I was just wondering if you had time whether you could answer a couple of questions as it would be really helpful for my research.
The questions i'd like to ask are:
While thinking about ideas of activities to include in your books- what do you take into consideration? Do you follow any particular rules or is it completely random?
Where do you get your inspiration from? and what target audience are you trying to reach?
Do you think this type of work (open ended) can be helpful within creative expression? This is something else i'm focusing on within my essay as I think it can be beneficial for a lot of people to have creative prompts in order to express themselves creatively. Is this something you'd hope for with your own work?
It would be amazing if you could answer even just one of these questions- I understand you're probably very busy!
Thank you
Marnie Cox
and here is my REPLY!:
Hi Marnie!
Thanks for getting in touch. That book sounds really interesting and I will definitely check it out!
Basically my general formula for coming up with things is to creative activities that I myself would love to do.
I figure that although not everyone (probably not even most people!) would like to do the same kind of creative tasks as me, there are enough of us in the world that some people WILL enjoy doing them too.
So my target audience is people like me - that may sound small minded - but I guess it's just that that's the target audience I know best. I think about what my friends might like, and my family. I try not to target people I don't know anything about.
And I think it can be incredibly helpful for people for one main thing - and that's building confidence.
I believe that everybody can create and draw, and sometimes a prompt can take away that initial worry that people have of 'messing up a page' or not knowing where to start. I hope that my book gives people the confidence to take the first step and pick up a pencil :)
Anyway.... hope that helps! I'd love to read your essay when it's finished, do feel free to email it to me. X
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