The Art Matters website and my journey...

Once I had learnt the basics of how to create a website, I went on to take more course’s at Reigate School of Art & Design learning Dreamweaver and Photoshop. I then took a further course in Flash animation web design, where I also learnt Illustrator. This had led me onto having to learn Html, JavaScript, PHP & ASP ect.

I went on to complete another City & Guilds course in Desktop Publishing and Digital Photography, using Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign and passed with another distinction.

In these early years I gained experience and completed a number of City & Guild courses in MS office applications and Design applications all with Distinctions.

In 2003 I also started Craft Matters (now Art Matters) as a volunteer.
'Art Matters' was a studio running as part of the Surrey Oaklands NHS Trust. It was a new project back then, bieng just a library of paintings. The libary was growing fast, and the idea of the 'renting scheme' was developed. Renting out art works to companies to hang on their office walls.

Artist: silvis-rivers

I thought it would be a great idea to promote the paintings and art work that artists did in the studio. I felt promoting them to a wider audience was needed, so I offered to make the 'Art Matters website' for the studio.

My thoughts were that it is very important to acknowledge the creativity people with mental health issues can produce, and help to lift the stigma mental health carries.

Since then the website has grown dramatically and has really taken off, and caught many people’s attention around the country and locally...and now across the world.

It has been a massive ongoing project for me, which I really enjoy doing. Over time the website has had a number of face lifts as I gained more knowledge in website design.

Art Matters was put up on the server February 2004 and since then it has led me onto more experience and greater opportunities.

With the help of ESRA (Employment Support and Retraining Agency), I am currently working part time for Surrey Primary Care NHS Trust within the First Steps team. I created the 'First Steps' website, and have been involved in lots of other differant forms of design and websites including the 'Emotion Gym' flyers and posters. The First Steps website focus's on providing self help information for members of the public facing mental health problems within Surrey. The website also provides information on ‘Employment Issues’ and 'Relationship problems' that links with ESRA's work. The website provides information for people within Surrey on how to get the right support and cope, when in a work environment.

I have done a number of voluntary jobs for ESRA including their own website, and an exhibition banner.

In 2008 I applied to Croydon College to get on a Graphic Design Degree course. This is something I had always wanted to do since my school years and doing G.C.S.E Graphics and A' Level Design.

I had often spoken about studying a degree, but the confidance had never been there. I was excepted onto the course and am still currently studying for my degree. My first year was a massive experience, I got grades of A's and B's and the experience has really boosted my knowledge in Design and my confidance. I am currenty adding to my portfolio as I study, my degree portfolio can be found on the BA (hons) Graphic Design page.

In the mean time, I still volunteer and work for Art Matters, ESRA and I still work within the First Steps team.

I hope to update my journey as I continue...