Bethany Pickford

• Course: BA (Hons) Illustration
• Email: bethdoesillustration.co.uk
• Website: bethdoesillustration.co.uk

Title of Piece: Investigating Concerns associated with the abjection of the female body.

Statement:

My final project was a self-authored and illustrated children’s picture book that aimed to teach children about mental illness. The story followed a little girl and her older brother, who was constantly held back by his depression which took the physical form of a monster. It explores ways in which the sister tries to help her brother and the impact of mental health issues not only on an individual, but on families too.

In the future, I ultimately hope to become a freelance illustrator and self-author. Although my final project was a children’s picture books, I want to explore other types of narrative illustration as well as standalone pieces.

My Experience:

My favourite trip from the course was our second year trip to Paris, and getting to explore the city with my friends. It was such an amazing trip and an opportunity that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Personally I actually ended up being more productive during lockdown than I would have been if I had been going to uni. I ended up with a lot more time at my disposal, which I poured into my uni work. The online feedback sessions with my lecturers were just as helpful as the ones we had face-to-face, and they really helped me to steer my projects in the right direction.