New Affiliate Member

Meet Victoria, one of our newest Affiliate Members, fresh from a course with Create Growth, Victoria is ready to take her business to the next level. 

 

How would you describe your business/creative practice? 

I’m a visual artist. More specifically a portrait, milestone event and commercial photographer, along with a window art & mural creator, also performing as a live artist specialising in continuous one-line illustration. I create vibrant portraits, live wedding art, and large-scale public murals, bespoke commissions and personalised items to order – bringing joy and connection through my distinctive flowing line style. I celebrate what others have trouble putting into words – in a way that helps us all connect to each other. 

 

Can you tell us the story behind why you started your business/practice and your journey so far. 

My practice evolved from a love of capturing people’s essence and sharing stories – whether through photography or illustration. I discovered my signature continuous one-line style creates an immediate connection with viewers, my live art has created powerful instant and lasting results and I’ve built my business around bringing that joy to clients through portraits, wedding art, and community projects like my current major commission – The Windows of the Season project for Amber Valley Borough Council comprising almost 50 shop fronts. 

 

Did you study at University? If so, where did you graduate from and what course did you study? 

I was offered a much-coveted fine art degree place at Blackpool and Fylde College of Art back in the eighties, which I didn’t accept. Instead, I went into photography and the newspaper and media industry through more college & an apprenticeship. My school and college teachers recognised I had a skill in capturing stories efficiently and discouraged me from following fine art, seeing it as old-fashioned and believing my skills would be better used in a more instant art form. Having worked in photography and media for over 30 years – including as a lecturer at the University of Derby teaching journalism and delivering (and marking) whole modules on photography to first-year students – I’ve realised that I can pursue art and creativity as something that not only complements my camera work, but can also be a viable part of my self-employed business. I now lead community creative workshops, provide one-to-one art tuition, and educate homeschool children, while art is beginning to form a larger portion of my commercial work. 

 

 

What UoD networks have you found useful? 

I recently completed a ‘Create Growth’ course for creatives at the Cavendish building through university funding. I found it extremely useful – the focus and expert advice offered has been hugely valuable to my creative practice. 

 

What do you hope that being part of the Banks Mill community will do for your creative business/practice? Is there one thing in particular that you’re looking forward to? 

I’m interested in understanding how I might develop my own creative practice in an even more focused way. While the building is currently full of artists, I’d like to explore the possibility of renting a space in due course that would fit around my commercial commitments and allow me to see what I can produce when I have dedicated creative space. Having the opportunity to focus purely on creative development alongside my commercial work, and discovering what new directions my practice might take with dedicated studio time. 

 

Do you have any other work experience/ support/or training that’s relevant to what you’re doing now? 

Over 30 years in photography and media, including newspaper and commercial work, plus experience as a lecturer at the University of Derby teaching, along with running arty events and my ongoing relationship to the heritage of Derby – Derby Museums photography and events especially. I have strong commercial and B2B networks across Derby, Derbyshire, and into Nottinghamshire, with experience working through trailblazing ideas and managing creative contracts. Currently, I’m two months into delivering The Windows of the Season project – a major public art commission for Amber Valley Borough Council involving almost 50 shop fronts across four towns. My ability to liaise effectively with both large organisations like councils and individual independent shop owners has been key to delivering this project successfully – many artists prefer to focus purely on the creative work, but I’ve found my business and communication skills allow me to manage the complex logistics that projects of this scale require. I regularly lead community creative workshops, provide one-to-one art tuition, and educate home school children. I recently completed the ‘Create Growth’ course for creatives at the Cavendish building. My apprenticeship background and commercial experience have given me strong business foundations, while my teaching experience has developed my ability to communicate creative concepts clearly. 

 

What are you working on at the moment? 

I’m currently two months into The Windows of the Season project – a major public art commission for Amber Valley Borough Council involving almost 50 shop fronts across four towns, scheduled for completion by April. This has received BBC and ITV coverage so far. Alongside this, I’m maintaining my commercial photography commitments including milestone events, portraits, and corporate work, plus developing ARTEUS – my affirmation card deck project for creatives. I have applied to an incubator cohort through Culture Derby to work on this from May onwards. My Etsy shop is also a place for people to guide me on new art ideas – custom Prosecco bottles, mirrors for weddings, DM boots and trainers personalised – it is where I get a lot of inspiration for what people shop 

 

Tell us about your work/techniques/how long a piece takes to complete etc 

My signature live art technique is continuous one-line illustration – creating portraits and scenes without lifting pen from paper. This creates an immediate, flowing connection that captures the essence of the subject in a way that feels both spontaneous and deliberate. For live wedding art, I typically complete a portrait in 8 to 9 minutes, allowing guests to watch the entire process unfold. With the Windows project, the process involves visiting each shop, creating digital overlay designs for approval, then installation takes as little as 2 hours per window, which surprises many who see them. My photography work ranges from quick portrait sessions to full-day commercial shoots. The continuous line technique, splashy colour palette and inky outline works across all scales – from intimate A4 portraits to large-scale murals. What remains consistent is the energy and movement in the line, whether I’m working with pen on paper, paint on glass, or creating digital work on my iPad with Apple Pencil. I have been told my style is joyful, exact, pop, powerful and a style that is strong and recognisable! 

 

What are your plans for your business/practice for the next 12 months? 

Complete The Windows of the Season project by May, then focus on plans to develop my creative practise beyond simply contracted projects – to make a series of work than enables me to form and shape my next solo show. Also alongside this, scaling ARTEUS – my affirmation card deck for creatives – starting with the Culture Derby ‘Made in Derby’ cohort if accepted. I’m looking to develop this into both physical and potentially digital products that can reach beyond my local area. I plan to continue with my commercial photography base, which supports me growing the art side of my practice. The success of the Windows project has opened doors for more large-scale public art commissions, and I’m interested in exploring similar projects that combine community impact with commercial viability. Longer term, I’m considering securing dedicated studio space at Banks Mill for a trial period – to focus more intensively on creative development alongside my commercial commitments, allowing me to see what new directions my practice might take with dedicated creative time. 

 

 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? 

The Windows of the Season project has been a turning point in demonstrating how my business and artistic skills can work together on a large scale. Managing almost 50 individual business relationships while creating public art has shown me that my combination of creative vision and commercial experience opens up opportunities that many artists can’t access. I’m passionate about art that connects people – whether that’s live wedding illustration where guests watch portraits emerge, community workshops that empower people to try new creative approaches, or public art that transforms entire town centres. I’d also be very interested to hear of any opportunities that may involve extending my window art approach to other towns and cities, or any open calls for artists that do what I do – to ensure I’m visible and considered for projects that match my skills and approach. My goal is to continue growing work that has both artistic integrity and genuine impact on people’s lives.