Reflections on ways STEAMhouse Create empowered my creative business

The STEAMhouse Create Programme (now closed) was a funded programme run by BCU, STEAMhouse and Eastside Projects, Birmingham to help resource poor micro and small businesses. I joined in 2022 as an Artist-Maker, wanting to explore new technologies as routes to creating an affordable, replicable range of art. My focus was laser engraving.

“STEAMhouse Create is a 12-month ERDF-funded programme for resource-poor businesses to make their new product, project or service ideas a reality.”
STEAMhouse.org.uk

The further away time moves on from Art School, the harder it can feel to find work spaces and learn new methods. It’s amazing to know there are programmes out there aimed at mid-career artists who want to upskill. It was a bit of magic discovering the Create Programme at STEAMhouse.

Learn: text from dictionary highlight on word learn. Pushing out of comfort zone to create better art

Why I Applied

What I was working on was working out OK, yet I felt like my creativity was happening by route. I wanted to try new things and see what was out there. The hardest part was persuading myself to go for it. The key for me was to keep reminding myself that only through pushing out of the comfort zone would I master new skills and unleash more creativity.

CREATE word made up of artworks by Charlie Kirkham created during the STEAMhouse Create Programme

What I learned

STEAMhouse wasn’t so much a learning curve as a learning cliff climb. It took a lot of self-belief to propel me through, many times I reminded myself to follow my own advice!

The way technology has advanced in the last decade is mind-blowing. 3D printing has gone from an inaccessible specialism to an affordable home medium. Learning how to create the files for 3D printing, what software options are out there and their basic functions, that was fascinating. The course on 3D printing opened my eyes to new possibilities, giving me a bank of future ideas.

As you’ll know from my other posts, laser engraving is where I landed. The learning process was slow and painful at times, followed by joyful epiphany moments. As the programme progressed there were more moments of delight as I realised I could achieve things solo. The designs began working on the first and second attempts rather than the seventh or eighth. As intense as it felt in the beginning, towards the end my confidence in creating solo is there.

Charlie Kirkham laser cut and engraved artwork — Laser cut & engraved black MDF and Silver Acrylic ‘The Final Fight’

What I made

Some of the artworks I want to celebrate and share, others may remain locked in the studio forever! It’s been eye-opening learning what engraves well and what falls flat.

I started CREATE with the goal of generating a new income stream. My drawings are intricate and time-heavy. Laser engraving has given me a method that allows for affordable replication of the drawings. It’s a more creative option for me than giclee prints as each laser engraving is a unique work in its own right. The colours, finish and scale are customisable and the drawings can be spliced in new, intriguing ways.

I’m still counting up the works that I’ve created over the past ten months. There are a lot of them! Some are now awaiting framing, photography and new homes, others need more tweaks before they’re released into the world.

Selection of laser engraved works in artist studio of Charlie Kirkham — *Left: a laser engraved dragon on brushed gold acrylic, right: my studio full of artwork created at STEAMhouse using laser cutting and engraving methods*

How it’s helped my business

The biggest help was going into the workshop and having time to create just for the love of creating. That has been blissful. I feel re-connected to the play aspects in my art practice. Another aspect is the inspiration from meeting entrepreneurs in fields as diverse as publishing and healthcare. Artists working on everything from creating environmentally sustainable sculptures to fashion prints. Being part of an engaged creative community reinvigorated my practice.

To thrive as an artist you cannot spend too much time musing in isolation*. You need to get out of your own head every so often and meet other people. The technical aspects has empowered me to explore new scales and directions and splice together works that share a theme. The business workshops have helped with grant applications, day to day business management and goal setting.

_{*(unless you’re Tim Stoner, whose amazing paintings make me want to hideout on a Spanish mountain for 20 years!)}

Ultimately, I’ve also created affordable, replicable art. I’m able to laser engrave drawings in a few hours that would take days to scale up with hand drawn inks. This new income stream is welcome addition to my practice, it’s allowing me to share my message with more people and bring in new collectors. It makes investing in art much surer for the potential buyer when the artwork is under £100.

What Now?

Now that the STEAMhouse Create Programme has ended it’s back to the art studio. It’s time to take the ideas created and turn them into a coherent, exhibition ready body of work. That means lining up photography, framing and most importantly thinking time. I’ll be sharing the results as they happen, so stay tuned 😊

I’m grateful that I had the chance to experience this unique programme and unleash some untapped creativity! It has truly been a pleasure. The final day technician Greg bought in some strawberries and cream. A very pleasant end to a great experience.

REFERENCE LINKS

Charlie Kirkham