Looking to the future...

Had a really interesting conversation with Matt and Jamie, today. I wanted to talk to them about their experiences with MA programmes, as I'm almost 100% certain that I want to move onto an MA programme after I graduate. They asked me what it was that made me think that I wanted to do a Master's programme, and talking through my reasoning really helped clarify plenty of things in my mind:

• I'm in a good place right now, and just beginning to make peace with the way that I approach practice, and the kind of work I do and can make. But I'm only at the very, very beginning, and don't feel anywhere near ready yet to launch off into the world. 
• I just need time, and the chance to immerse myself completely. 
• For me, personally, education is a very effective framework. I definitely need real structure in my life, even if this structure based on only occasional, but vigorous and engaging interaction with tutors.
• I'm not ready to leave education yet. This course should be about learning and growing and evolving and getting things wrong and then getting things right. I have absolutely no intentions of emerging at the end of these three years as a fully formed 'illustrator'. Want to keep pushing. 

Over the summer I'm going to start seriously looking at MA courses, maybe arranging some visits? Also I shall make the most of having to spend making work for the love of making it, as I will need to start putting together a portfolio.

Matt gave me some contact details for people he knows that have gone through MA programmes in Edinburgh and Stockholm, respectively. I'm going to try and compose some thoughtful and useful questions to send them, in the hope of gaining some more specific insight about just what a Master's programme could offer me.