What would it take to turn your passion into a career?
Meet Cameron, a recent Bachelor of Fine Arts graduate who transformed his love for art into a journey towards becoming an educator.
Cameron didn’t follow the conventional path to university. Instead of completing year 12, he pursued a Certificate III and half of a Certificate IV. His gateway to Curtin was through portfolio entry, a pathway that allowed him to showcase his art skills and passion.
Cameron has always been fascinated by art, especially the act of creating. Throughout his childhood, he loved making things, and then high school further solidified his desire to pursue art as he wanted to improve his technical skills. While studying art at TAFE, he discovered the portfolio entry opportunity at Curtin, leading him to change his course.
“I was always drawing in primary school and all the teachers commented. Then, about year nine, I could choose to do art. And then I really spearheaded into that.”
During his time at Curtin, Cameron primarily focused on painting and drawing, expanding his horizons by experimenting with printmaking. His art process involved using a projector to project photos onto canvas, creating detailed sketches and building layers of colour and shape. He honed his skills and explored various themes in his artwork.
One of the highlights of Cameron’s academic journey was completing his honours. This self-directed project, titled “Days by the Sea,” allowed him to delve into the world of film scenes, screen printing them onto plywood, and painting over them. His aim was to convey a melancholic mood by appropriating film scenes and connecting his own experiences to those of the characters.
“Doing honours was my favourite. It gave me a full year to do a self-directed project. I had a lot of free time because there was only one unit and not too many assessments, so I could spend a lot of time just reading, writing, and learning. That was where I had the most fun, just developing and reading and researching.”
Of course, like any student, Cameron faced challenges. The workload, especially during periods with multiple practical units, pushed him to manage his time better. The balance between assignments and practical work was tough, but he navigated it successfully.
Staying motivated during these tough times was a mix of passion and support from friends. Cameron’s love for art kept him going, while conversations with friends provided encouragement and a sense of community.
Outside of his coursework, Cameron explored art-related activities like gallery visits and networking, staying connected to the field he loved. Looking back, he wishes he had engaged in more extracurricular activities and recommends future students to participate unlike him.
One surprising discovery during his journey was his writing ability. Initially unsure about his writing skills, Cameron realised his talent when his essays received praise from peers. This revelation boosted his confidence.
Cameron advises his fellow students to be open to advice, especially from lecturers given that they are the experts in their field. He shares his own experience of being initially hesitant to accept feedback but eventually realising how valuable it was to his growth as an artist and a student.
“I came in thinking I already knew all the stuff because I did a Cert III and then I was like… oh maybe I don’t know everything, which made me engage with the class a bit more and be open to trying different stuff.”
Cameron encourages students to be open to all types of feedback, even if it’s not what they want to hear. He believes that constructive criticism is essential for growth and development.
Now, as a Curtin graduate, Cameron is gearing up for a new adventure: teaching. He’s discovered a passion for educating and aims to pursue a career in teaching, finding it a stable and fulfilling path.
