Should i get my mfa?

June 19, 2024

Should I get my mfa? Is it worth getting an mfa? How do I feel about having an mfa? I will answer these questions in this blog post, so keep reading! If you are wondering if you should get your mfa, you will want to read this!

Should i get my mfa?

An mfa is a Master of Fine Arts degree; it is the next step for artists after they have pursued their Bachelor of Fine Arts or bfa.

To help you decide if you should get your mfa I think it helps to hear from other artists why they got their mfa.

Why I got my mFA

I got my mfa because I am someone who loves learning and researching. I would definitely consider myself a lifelong learner. I love reading, trying new things and exploring. As I was approaching the end of my bfa I knew that I had more that I wanted to learn and explore. I knew I wanted to be an artist and I knew I could grow and push myself as an artist by getting my mfa.

After my bfa I went to teacher’s college for a year long program and used that time to work on preparing my art portfolio for my mfa application. I did my mfa at Concordia university immediately after I was done with teacher's college. You can read more about my time at Concordia University -by clicking here.

During the end of my bfa is when I finally was doing less projects that the professors were instructing us and had more creative freedom to explore the type of art I wanted to make. Don’t get me wrong I was grateful for the art projects during my bfa as they really allowed me to explore new techniques, styles and media but once I discovered what I liked I wanted to make more.

In my bfa I had a lot of great professors that really pushed me and believed in me. They were quite excited when I told them I wanted to pursue an mfa. You can read more about my time of my bfa at Lakehead University by clicking here!

In summary, I wanted to do my mfa because I wasn’t done learning, I wanted to keep reading and researching, I wasn’t ready to start working, I wanted to continue to use this time to be a student. I knew that when I would start working full time or having a baby that it would be really difficult to balance my time and to make as much art as I wanted to make. I just wanted to take advantage of this time and make more art. I had a really strong vision about making art, exhibiting art and making my income from being a full time artist. You can read more about why I wanted to become an artist here!

So, should you take your mfa? That’s completely up to you. Keep in mind, that when you submit your portfolio for your mfa you will need a cohesive body of work. You will also need to write a clear letter of intent on what you plan to do while pursuing your mfa. If you need help with your mfa portfolio application - click the button below to check out one on one coaching with me where I can help you with your application and give you feedback!

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I want to be an artist

8 Reasons why I love art

My mfa at Concordia University

My bfa at Lakehead University

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The Biggest Difference Between BFA and MFA

April 24, 2024

I want to share the biggest difference between BFA and an MFA. As an artist who attended both a BFA and MFA program for Fine Arts I want to share some of the differences and similarities between both of the programs. Learn the biggest difference between BFA and an MFA by reading more below!

The Biggest Difference Between a BFA and an MFA Program

The biggest difference between a BFA and an MFA is the level of independence you have as a student. In both programs as you move throughout the years from a first year student to a senior in your final year there is more independence. This level of independence is to prepare you for the “real world.” So, that you can be successful in whatever path you choose as an artist- whether it be having exhibitions, applying to grants, teaching at a college or workshops, working at an art gallery etc.

With an MFA program in particular, you apply knowing you have a plan in place. In many MFA applications you create a letter of intent stating what you intend to do while in the MFA program. In your letter of intent you might explain what you plan on researching, what techniques you want to try, what installation methods you want to try and what your goals are for taking the program. What type of artist do you want to be? What do you hope to get out of the MFA program?

If you are needing help writing your letter of intent you can check out my one on one coaching and I am happy to review your letter of intent in an hour or half hour coaching session.

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Other Differences Between BFA and MFA programs:

Readings

An MFA program is usually more research focused. There are more papers you need to write as a student and more required and suggested readings. Required readings are assigned by a professor in a class - often you are graded on participation and a written response in relation to the assigned reading.

Suggested readings are given to you by your professor or a visiting lecturer as a reading you should look into that will help you develop as an artist. The suggested readings might be based on a technique you use, an artist working in a similar style or medium (either a contemporary artist or an artist from history), or based on the subject matter you are making art about. These readings might get suggested to you during a critique or while meeting with your professor.

Both types of reading are valuable and help you really develop the way you talk and write about your work.

Projects

In a BFA program, especially the first three years there are a lot of different types of projects. While the projects get more open ended as you progress through your BFA they do start specific. The reason for this is to encourage you to experiment and push yourself and your art. The professors want to challenge you and to help you figure out what art you want to make and why you want to make it. Why does it matter? What does your art communicate?

In an MFA there are little to no guided projects. You are in charge of managing your time and creating what you want to work on. That’s why having a clear letter of intent and clear goals are so important in an MFA.

Due Dates

In a BFA program there are clear due dates, there are more check ins and in progress critiques. In an MFA there are still deadlines but you need stronger time management skills to be able to manage deadlines. There is less feedback of work in progress as you are often working on art at home or in your studio. There is little to no class time to work on your art in an MFA whereas in a BFA you have some class time so professors can give you timely feedback.

These are some of the biggest differences between a BFA and MFA program. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about these programs.

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Read about my MFA program time at Concordia

Read about my BFA program time at Lakehead

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Concordia University mfa

June 15, 2022

I completed my Concordia University mfa in 2018. I really enjoyed the Concordia University Fine Arts program in Montreal. Read more to see what the program was like. If you would like to learn more about preparing an art application for college or university - click here.

Concordia University mfa

The Concordia University MFA program I was in was the Fibres and Material Practices Program. I was there from September 2015- to February 2018. On average, it is a 3 year Master of Fine Arts Program with the first two years having classes and critiques to present your artwork and the final year you build your end of year exhibition and write your thesis paper about your art and research.

Concordia University mfa - Montreal

Montreal is the second largest city in Canada. It is a large city with French culture. Oftentimes, it feels like you are in another country. There are lots of great restaurants, art galleries and architecture. I loved spending time in Old Montreal and seeing the architecture there.

Concordia University mfa -Where to live

I lived near the university as I didn’t want to take the subway (metro) or commute. I wanted to be able to walk to school and not rely on transportation. We lived in a rented apartment, a 3 ½, meaning it had one bedroom, a small kitchen and living room and a small bathroom. Our building backed onto Mont Royal Parc, a large green space. We spent a lot of time in the park and it led me to starting my work Patched.

Concordia University mfa -about the program.

I had about 7 other people in my year of my program. It was nice because we all became close friends. I worked as a teaching assistant to learn about making paper. I also worked as a tutor as well for extra income. I loved the professors at the school and really learned a lot. The Concordia University MFA program is a strong and notable program. In the first and second year you are given a studio space on campus and in the final year you can find your own studio space. I chose to use my living room to save money.

Overall, I loved my time at Concordia University mfa program. I am so happy with my decision to go there. It was a great time with lots of wonderful memories.

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Patched
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What it’s Like to Be Vermont Studio Center Alumni

September 8, 2021

Being a Vermont Studio Center Alumni is a part of joining an online community. I attended the Vermont Studio Center art residency in Johnson, Vermont in November, 2017. I stayed at the artist residency for two weeks. I follow them on instagram and I am a part of a private Facebook group similar to the Women’s Studio Workshop residency -which you can read about here! Vermont Studio Center Alumni have been recognized for tons of achievements as the Vermont Studio Center is a top residency known globally.

Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont

Although I am grateful for the experience at Vermont Studio Center and to be a Vermont Studio Center Alumni I don’t think I would go back to this artist residency. As an artist, I like to travel to new places to see how place impacts my work. Vermont Studio Center is a more pricey artist residency as the fee does include your food. Since I am a paper maker the Vermont Studio Center is less appealing as they do not have a paper making studio.

For anyone who has not been or is needing a quiet space to work I would recommend this residency as I was very productive and got a lot done. Everyone is friendly and there are options to sing karaoke or enjoy a campfire while you are there too!

While I was there, I worked on some projects for my thesis exhibition that happened in February, 2018 at Concordia University. I had a large studio with a window and a couple of tables. I worked on pieces that later became projects in my exhibition including:

What I Worked on at Vermont Studio Center

Piled Up installation tested out at the Vermont Studio Center

While being at the Vermont Studio Center residency I worked on altering books for my project What is and What Was. I used the leftover cut-outs to make Piled Up. I tested out the installation for Piled Up on a shelf that was in my studio. I later built a shelf for my exhibition display in my thesis show at Concordia University.

With my series Patched that is still an ongoing series I arranged photographs of Patched into patched quilt formations. After the residency, I sewed them on my sewing machine. I worked with plaster casts of leaves during my Vermont Studio Center residency. I took advantage of the beautiful scenery in Vermont (it is very easy to be inspired) and I took more photos for my series Patched.

I enjoyed having a lot of wall space so that I could test out Precariously Perched. In this piece I balance twisted thin strands of maps on straight pins and nails. You can see more of Precariously Perched here!

Accommodations at Vermont Studio Center

I stayed in a room by myself and had a shared bathroom. There was a few other people living in the house I was staying at. I had a separate key to my bedroom so I felt very secure while living there. At the residency all of your meals are provided in the dining hall. The food is really good and there are a lot of options. All of the food is made by the chef. Having your meals provided is nice during an artist residency because then you don’t lose time cooking, getting groceries or doing dishes and you can have more time devoted to making art.

Again, I don’t think I would go back to this artist residency although I am grateful for the experience at Vermont Studio Center and to be a Vermont Studio Center Alumni. Experiencing new places to make art is important for me and having access to materials like a paper making studio is also extremely important.

Winter view out my studio window at the Vermont Studio Center

With that being said Vermont Studio Center is a great relaxing and quiet place to work. The beauty of Vermont is incredible and I had such a productive two weeks!

Patched installation I worked at while at the Vermont Studio Center

Patched installation for my thesis exhibition at Concordia University inspired by being at the Vermont Studio Center

How to Become a Vermont Studio Center Alumni

Here is more information about how to apply to Vermont Studio Center so you can become a Vermont Studio Center Alumni - one day too!

https://vermontstudiocenter.org

https://vermontstudiocenter.org/residenciesinfo

Precariously Perched installation tested out at the Vermont Studio Center

Women’s Studio Workshop -artist residency

If you are mom you can check out this motherhood residency: http://www.artistresidencyinmotherhood.com/how-it-started

Here is another great website to help you find the right artist residency for you! https://resartis.org/covid-19-updates/

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Precariously Perched installation part of my thesis exhibition at Concordia University inspired by my work at Vermont Studio Center

Winding Road- Art Installation by Jackie Partridge

March 10, 2021

Winding Road -art installation from 2016 completed in Montreal by artist Jackie Partridge. Here is an art installation from my archive. Winding Road is an art installation from 2016. It is made from Mylar, ink, and thread. It measures 18’x 3.’ I made this work while completing my MFA at Concordia university in Montreal, QC.

I loved using ink and seeing how it pooled to dry making interesting overlapping line drawings. This artwork was inspired by driving along the countryside and looking out the window. This work later turned into an art book - you can see that here!

I chose to paint and draw on a frosted mylar because I like how it looks foggy and isn’t fully transparent. It has a really nice effect when it is backlit with lights in an art exhibition.

I later turned these paintings into Fielding Through and Field of Green. For the work Fielding Through I sewed some of these pieces together using white thread and my sewing machine to create an accordion style book that was able to stretch and pull a part. For Field of Green some of the larger pieces were hung on the wall behind the sheet curtain of painted fabric.

As an artist, I often rework my artwork to add to it or to morph it into new artwork or installations. I like that art is able to change and evolve over time. By taking a look at my current artwork below you will be able to see some similarities between pieces as art is inspired by previous pieces.

To see my current art practice -click here!