Nancy Watts

Where are you based? 

Corsham, Wiltshire 

What were you doing before joining the Online Drawing Development Year (ODDY)? 

I was due to have knee surgery a couple of days after submitting my application to the ODDY23, after being housebound and unable to work, for 5 months. For 20 years, I worked in the Care and Education sector; frustratingly dipping in and out of art, but lacking the energy or opportunity to form a meaningful practise. Despite gaining a Fine Art degree in 1996, there was never a sense that art students were being provided with the skills and opportunities to become ‘full time artists’,  I left university assuming, like many art students, that unless you were one of the ‘lucky few’, the expectation was that is was time to get a ‘real, stable’ job. 

What appealed to you about the course? 

The ODDY appealed to me mainly because it has a set structure, but also presents each student with so much freedom to ‘move’ within the format. Being able to curate your own course is just so exciting; it means that each student is taking a completely different set of courses at one time, but still experiencing the ODDY as a group. 

Over the last few years I’ve felt a lack of community and connection with fellow artists, and this has enabled me to form relationships and opened up conversations about all aspects of being a practising artist. It can be quite a solitary profession and I can get a bit stuck in my own world, so being able to get feedback from others really opens up my work. I also get to have an online ‘nose’ at other people’s studios, which lets face it, all artists love to do this! 

A crucial aspect for me of the course was not just my own practise, but also to gain knowledge of what’s happening in contemporary art and also being able to reference art history. I’ve felt very out of touch and tutors and fellow students have signposted me to not only artists, but also genres, museums and galleries that I can take inspiration from. 

Which courses did you most enjoy or learn most from? 

A Studio/Room of Ones Own with Perienne Christian and Phoebe Stannard and Drawing Space: Interior and Exterior with Geraint Ross Evans and Jeanette Barnes. These two courses complemented each other so beautifully. Whilst the tutors aren’t teaching at the same time, there was an organic synergy, whilst still maintaining individuality in their teachings. 

Due to my personal situation, my direct space had been so prevalent to me, but I had so many inner resources and suddenly a way to express that, through mark making. I struggle to formulate an idea purely in a 2D way, so utilising poetry, literature, outside space (but still on my doorstep) and photos of places I couldn’t physically get to liberated my drawing practise in a such an exciting way. I literally felt like my brain had been turned inside out and upside down! 

Is there anything that surprised you about the course? 

I specifically chose courses that were opposite to the type of artist I thought I was and deliberately wanted to throw myself in an uncomfortable creative place, to see what manifested out of this. There have been times on courses that I’ve really struggled and felt frustrated, but have then found that those difficult places/styles I’ve delved into have been of benefit on another course, a few weeks down the line. I learnt that each course doesn’t stand alone – there will be parts that you can dip into, adopt and evolve along the journey. I was also surprised at the amount of energy and synergy that happens on an online course between tutors and students, alike. There are people from different countries, backgrounds and time zones, all thrown together, which then produces an incredibly diverse and energetic Padlet gallery, at the end of each course day. 

What are the benefits of learning online? 

For me, being housebound at the time, it was the only way that I could study. When I first started, I was in a metal leg brace for a couple of months, but I could hobble to my studio, which felt so freeing and it’s impossible to put in words how exciting it was to be using my creative brain, with purpose again. 

The 10am start meant I could fit in exercise beforehand and at lunchtime, without too much stress. Initially, I was a bit anxious about the technology aspect, but it soon dissipated, as everyone has the same worries. The tutors and school are so aware of this aspect and there’s always someone to help. Also, you’ll quickly find those really tech savvy fellow ODDY students, who are life savers when it comes to Padlet/Zoom queries!

How has the School supported you (financially / educationally / artistically etc.) 

The School trusted that I could totally do the ODDY, after a few weeks of surgery, without question, because I said I could. This was beautifully refreshing, after being so dependent on others, for so long. They were patient at guiding me through the bursary process and I couldn’t have taken the course without their generous financial support. I quickly realised what a kind space attending courses with the school are. There’s no pretentiousness and there’s always someone to contact at the School which any issues or worries. Course attendees, as strangers, welcome each other into our studios and homes for an intense few weeks and the school understand the need for people to feel looked after. 

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about applying to the ODDY? 

Just do it and if you don’t get in one year, keep applying. I specifically chose not to overthink it (easier to say than do!) and go into the course with absolutely no expectations of my own practise, with a clean slate. Deliberately embracing discomfort has produced some unexpected, exhilarating results. I’ve found engaging with other people on the ODDY so crucial, whether through social media or Zoom – it’s just great to be able to have a chat, share work/ideas/advice on material. And get a lot of paper. If you think you have enough, double that amount!! 

Do you have any plans for after you've completed the course? 

I want to keep the momentum going that I’ve gained throughout the year and would like to apply for some residencies – I’m keen to get out of my studio and into the world. I want part of my practise to involve children and young adults who don’t have access to the arts or feel that they aren’t welcome in that world.

And sleep. Lots of sleep!

Follow: @watts_artistry

Find out more about the Online Drawing Development Year