BIOGRAPHY

About the artist christina macgregor

I studied a foundation art course at Camberwell college of arts and a theatre design degree course at central saint martins college of art and design.

I am interested in fine art , projections, computer art , photography, film making and sculpture especially prostectics I like batik have only recently been exposed to the subject. I like theatre and music as well as poetry.i also like animation.

About cooltan arts

Without good mental health I unable to create interesting pieces of work.
Without a solid support base from mental health workers the maudsley friends and family I would find near impossible to create.
Without the opportunities from the work cooltan arts have given me. I probably would have given up ages ago and just kept on dreaming.
Going to cooltan arts is keeping the dreaming alive and making my dreams a reality.
My mental health status would probably suffer from discrimination and prejudice in the work place, in general. At cooltan arts, my mental health is not the issue but, my creativity is.

I am made to feel a part of the group and I assist wherever I can. I have become more confident and less shy about my work. I like the fact that others will help me if I get stuck. I don't feel any less or more than the next person but equally as talented as they are and more importantly everyone at cooltan arts I consider as a friend which makes going easier. everyone at cooltan is fantastic they are nice and their attitude is brilliant.they have been since I first joined

If I do have any issues regaurding my mental health say if I get moody or ill the understanding and emphasising I receive from cooltan arts makes coping with the problem much easier.

I think it is essential to have such an organisation in the community as it helps me find my place with the community rather than feeling depressed and isolated and lost in the community with no place to go.

Cooltan arts has provided me opportunities which have improved my life dramatically. I am very fortunate to belong to such a group.

With support I have been able to create a wide ranging amount good quality of work which is visually stimulating. I have worked hard on my projects and have achieved more than I thought I would do.

I have learnt a great deal from coming to cooltan arts, on a personal level and on a creative level.

It has helped me expand my ambitions in life and all is not lost just because I have mental health issues or that I am very shy.

To be treated with respect and a equal as a human being has done wonders for my depression so to the positivtity and the cups of coffee and apples also has helped

To be able to create has made me more relaxed, a nicer person.

Method of working

I usually first do research and idea development in sketchbooks I like to work out which ideas would be viable or not and modify them if neccary.

I have a lot of ideas so drawing them helps and people help me chose which would be the best to develop further. my sketchbooks help to record future ideas for later

Sometimes depending on ecomonic and time restraints I can go and create the item straight away all work is well considered and varying in visual effect I try to vary the medium used as well each item has its own invivual meaning and some are connected

I like variety and the freedom at cooltan arts allows me to either work on my own or be teacher led I am very inspired when I go to cooltan arts and have learnt a great deal about my work and other peoples work I am very impressed the standard and quality of work that others do there

the advice I usually get is very insightful and constructive always positive

and means I can improve the work.

At the moment I like monsters based on the work of dick smith and tom salvini I like colour and image.basically

I like art in general and cooltan arts has inspired me to carry on I would probably like to go to college and study sculpture or prostectics if I could afford it or work experience in those field so I can build up my confidence especially with people.