Tell us a bit about yourself 
I’m an artist, painter, boyfriend, barista and now graduate from the BA Honours Painting course at ECA. I’ve lived, studied and worked in Edinburgh for nearly seven years, after moving from Zielona Góra in Poland. Love first brought me to Edinburgh. I joined my partner here and we now live happily with our cat in the quiet area of Morningside.

What does a typical day look like at ECA?

Painting is a unique and personal discipline which has individual routines, patterns and ways of working. I tend to work best in the mornings, so I’d start my day early, with a pre-studio coffee at my local, POP Coffee (where I also work). They have a constantly changing batch brew and a stunning plant collection. I’d hop on the bus with my flat white and get to the studio between 9am–10am.

When I arrive, I always start with making filter coffee. I’d then either begin developing paintings, or head to the range of workshop facilities ECA provides. The Painting course allows for a lot of freedom and flexibility in materiality and making. It prompted me to work with metal and experiment with sculptural techniques. I discovered the joy of working in the foundry, developing aluminium sculptures.

Lunchtime happens in ECA when workshops and the art shop close between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. Being near the Old Town and Meadows offers great lunch options. There are also incredible specialty coffee shops nearby; The Source Coffee Roasters, Lovecrumbs and Beatnik are some of my highlights. Tasty Buns is another gem, with tasty bakes and focaccia sandwiches.

If you’re lucky to get one of their Vietnamese coffee buns, your day will be happier. I’d catch up with friends which often led to gorgeous discussions and crits (critiques). There are many friendly and open people around ECA, whether it’s in the studio, café or library. You never know who you’ll bump into. 

I also liked to walk around Edinburgh’s gardens, parks, or go down to Leith for inspiration.
After lunch, I’d stay in the studio until 4 or 5pm, either working on paintings, planning for the degree show or taking part in group crits, talks and tutorials. Some days I’d have the urge to paint until 9 or 10 pm. It feels like a trance; if you put your mind to it, the painting takes over and becomes an inseparable element of life.

What characteristics do you think define an ECA student?

Individuality, uniqueness, bravery, sensitivity on a human and emotional level. People ignore the norms [and] hierarchy, and live free lives. It was liberating to be surrounded by such fighters.

What was the highlight of your ECA experience?

The freedom to be able to study painting, yet engage with the wider issues; viewpoints beyond the canvas. I am thankful for the open-minded environment that tutors and staff created for us.