By Stage 2 student Lisa Davis

I enrolled at TLC after having ogled the advertising for The Diploma in Art and Creativity for several years. I remember thinking “Now that’s a course I would REALLY like to do!”, but not having the finance to take it on. I think it was the quote that drew my attention – “If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right!” I really thought there was something to that point that said it all. Years later, I found myself in a position where I could actually fulfill the dream and I have not looked back since!

I’m now in year two of Stage Two, after several years of part time extramural study. I hit a rocky patch during the past six months where family crisis after family crisis seemed to interrupt the flow of work, but I’m confident I’m back on track to complete my study by the end of 2009.
I’ve not yet settled into a particular style, media, or direction with my art yet – I prefer to explore all avenues of creative expression as an organic progressive evolution of Self. I do, however, have a steady clientele commissioning me for cat portraits via my sister’s cattery, ‘Cats-n-Clover’ in Hamilton, which is entertaining and enjoyable as I have a personal love and enjoyment of cats.

I first met the band “Blistur” in 2003 in Jacksonville, Florida while on holiday, but back then they were known as “Sweatin’ Bullets”. At the time, I saw them perform in a pokey little pub. I was in awe. Here was music with class akin to some of the well known rock bands, yet it seemed the venue did not match the quality of the music I was hearing and I became curious about how these musicians could go pretty much unnoticed outside of Jacksonville. I took their website details and contacted them when I got home. I think the boys were quite tickled that they had a fan all the way down at the bottom of the planet! Without the internet as a tool, I could not have made the connection as easily – it has allowed me to show the band my work and develop a relationship with them.

I think that doing the Diploma has taught me that to have a chance of succeeding you have to be prepared to take calculated risks. During one email exchange I cheekily introduced the idea that I had decided to paint each of them, partly to commemorate the release of their debut album in 2007 and also as part of my painting major with TLC. I said I would post the paintings over so they might use them for promotional purposes and to raise funds for charity. Plus it would give me a chance to show my work there. When the boys received the paintings they were over the moon. It was fun to paint ‘musician in action’ paintings and I’m keen to do more in this style.

Blistur, with an ever-expanding fan base of around 30,000 are as creatively motivated and inventive as students at TLC! While planning their next album, they chose a number of songs to produce a smaller EP style CD sampler of the upcoming full sized album. Drummer, Neal, approached me to see if I would like to submit artwork for the cover. I naturally jumped at the chance. I could see a real ‘win-win’ situation for all concerned – the boys get artwork free and I get a new platform for my work with possible spin-offs from that. It was a ‘no-brainer’ worth every effort.

Blistur chose the work they wanted to use from a portfolio of work I had already displayed and then organized the CD design, kindly giving me credit for the artwork on the CD sleeve. They also used the two images on their merchandise – T-shirts, stickers, etc. Neal had the image digitized onto his Drum Head which fronts the band. Now wherever Blistur go, I go with them!

Guitarist, Chris, has already indicated an interest in further works for a future cover when it comes up and I have said a most definite “YES”! Meantime, I believe the present work will be used on the release of the full sized CD album later this year, which is a buzz.

Having enjoyed painting to music in the past, I love the challenge of finding an artistic theme that fits in with Blistur’s music. Being a Heavy Metal/rock genre, there is a type of stereotypical cover that many fans have come to expect, so my personal challenge is to offer something fresh and new to represent this genre that the band will enjoy and feel enthusiastic about.

My experience with this exciting event gives me reason to say to other students who might be holding back on trying out a marketing idea – be bold and be cheeky! Nothing ventured, nothing gained! Don’t let fear of rejection or lack of immediate funds hold you back from growth and always go with any good gut feelings you have on things and/or people.

Thanks to Blistur for having the innovation to take a chance on a Kiwi being involved with their product. I wish the boys well on their artistic journey and look forward to more involvement with them!

http://www.blistur.com and http://www.myspace.com/blistur

http://www.myspace.com/silknz