Kirstie is a recently self-employed artist who is a part time Fine Art student at Plymouth College of Art. Since starting the course her inspiration had changed from design-led, designer/maker crafts, to emotionally fed conceptual art.

“It has been a fascinating process, to move from printmaking and textiles to painting, a new discipline for me, focusing on the use of colour (mainly oils) in abstract garden themes,” she said. “I hope to take painting forward into my professional practice, backed up by my history of printmaking, textiles and sculpture.”

In her second year at Plymouth she plans to stretch herself in other directions, discovering new strengths and skills. It is her intention that Devon Open Studios 2011 will bring her further recognition as an emerging artist and the bursary will be enormously helpful as she take the first steps into self-employment.

Venue: 15 North Street, Ipplepen TQ12 5RT