Student Stories: Paul Butterworth

I'm Paul an OCA Alumnus- 69 - TV/film actor - dad - supply teacher retired - still acting - trained at Central School of Speech and Drama, London in the 1970s - BA Combined Studies 1988 from Leeds Beckett University - many different casual jobs over the years - Yorkshireman now living in Cambridge.

What is your previous educational experiences and what drew you to OCA?

The courses at stages 1 (HE4) and 2 (HE5) are really well written and delivered. Stage 3 (HE6) is trickier as you have to negotiate your own course with the tutor and produce assessed academic writing.

Can you describe the tutor/ peer support at the OCA?

Tom Palin... he was my first stage 3 tutor. I switched from figuration to abstraction when I started Level 3 and had to learn a totally new visual language. He helped me explore abstraction and encouraged me to find my own voice. He looked at all my work before our sessions so was always well briefed - he also kept an eye on what I was posting so could refer to that as well. He started from my work, didn’t impose his own style - and was always enthusiastic, feeding me with helpful challenges and knowledgeable suggestions. He also annotated all my academic writing and gave me copious notes about how to structure my essays... what a star!

What does studying with OCA mean to you?

Practically it’s given me a new skill that I can use to build a business that I couldn’t have got anywhere else... there are no other part time distance/online painting degrees. Philosophically/psychologically I feel turbocharged which spills over into all areas of my life.

What's next?

I’m a year out from graduating and was a winner in The Graduate Art Show (50 BA/MA students picked from over 800 at 40 plus Art Schools and given a white walled gallery exhibition), Long listed for the Homiens Art Prize and the Beep Painting Biennial, Extra Long list for the Jackson’s Art Prize, one of 11 shortlisted artists RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize, and Byard Art in Cambridge requested four paintings (including two feature pieces) for their Summer show and are considering taking me onto their stable of artists. My plans are to build on this great start over the next year.

Any advice?

Complete Stage 3! Each course at Stage 3 is almost like a whole level in its own right as they move you forward so much. It can be difficult with some tutors to hold your line but just remember it’s your art.

Where can we find you?

www.paulbutterworthartist.com, Instagram: @paulbutterworthart