Continuing our series of interviews with the beneficiaries of this year’s Bursary Programme, Marissa Stoffer has kindly answered a few questions posed by the Arts Team. Like Seamus, who she now shares her studio with, Marissa recently graduated from the Edinburgh College of Art and is making the most of the space, which is theirs until June.
Marissa’s mixed-media work and paintings often depict other worlds and dreamlike landscapes, though they retain the air of reality with her realistic details and nostalgic imagery. She is a dedicated painter, currently working several jobs to fund her practice while working on the pieces for the RSA’s New Contemporaries exhibition, opening mid-March.
Marissa’s answers are thoughtful and positive in tone. Enjoy them below:
Hello Marissa, how are things?
OK, thanks!
Describe your typical week.
My weeks vary depending on work. I currently work at a Patisserie and occasionally teach art to kids (7-14). On top of that I spend a minimum of two days at St. Margaret’s developing my practice. Of course I have more fun in between with friends and other hobbies.
Describe your journey to St Margaret’s. Do you find inspiration en route?
Well depending on the weather I either take two buses to St Margaret’s or a leisurely walk through Restalrig. I wouldn’t necessarily say I find inspiration on route, but I always enjoy seeing Arthur’s Seat and the Crags dramatically set in the background of the journey.
Is there a usual formula to your work? Or does it vary?
I have no specific formula. I often start a piece quite randomly starting with an interesting image or just with a colour and see where it takes me.
How have you found the building so far? Has everyone been open-armed and lovely?
The building is good. Great having a kitchen on each floor to make tea and coffee to keep me going. It does get a bit chilly though, especially when I am sitting down in the studio for many hours.
Everyone is lovely. Everybody smiles and says hello even though I often never see them again. The staff are especially nice.
What do you eat when you’re working on your practice?
Ooooooh. Many things; fruit, sandwiches, but mostly the guilty pleasures…chocolate, crisps, and Maryland biscuits!!!!
You recently finished your degree (congratulations!) at ECA. Which course did you take and would you recommend it?
I studied the Five year MA Fine art course. It is a combined degree in MA History of Art and BA Fine Art (Painting in my case). It was a very challenging degree. Striking a balance between practical and theory was not easy. It requires you to be able to switch your brain between thinking and creativity. For example you would have a required reading for a chosen topic every week for each term, i.e. ‘Electric Dreams and Nuclear Visions- Art and Science’. Plus you would be reading for a required essay and reading for a presentation also due that term on that topic. On top of that you must keep up to date with notes for exams at the end of the year. Simultaneously you have to be in the present with your own work in the studio producing and showing development. It wasn’t easy however you get so much out of it. The History of Art sets the scene for understanding art from the past to the present. A base is formed for your own practice. I couldn’t imagine doing a purely theory degree nor a practical one. The combination is great if you can handle the interchange and a heavy work load.
Do you think about your practice when you get home at night? Or are you able to leave it?
That often depends on mood and whether or not an exhibition is coming up. I often think about my practice all the time if I am at a point of starting a new piece or refreshing what I am doing (making a new body of work). If something is working and progressing then several hours at the studio enables me to relax when I get home, ready to start again when I am next able to get back to the studio. However if I see or read something inspiring when I am home there is now way to stop myself from considering how it could inspire my work.
And if you can, provide a wee self portrait.
Marissa, thank you – we are very glad you’re here in the building too.