Felicity Talman – How My OCA Degree Led to Postgraduate Study

My name is Felicity Talman, and I recently completed a BA (Hons) Fine Art degree with the OCA.

I started studying with the OCA in 2019 after moving to Wales and deciding to pursue a creative education—something I had always put to one side. At the time, I had two young children aged four and two, so a flexible course that I could study at my own pace was essential. Attending a traditional bricks-and-mortar college would not have been possible alongside my other commitments, making the OCA a very good fit for me.

I had not practised art seriously for several years before starting the course, the last time being during my A-level studies. When I began, I was testing ideas, experimenting with different materials, and trying to find my voice as an artist. The structure of the course helped me stay motivated, and regular group sessions with peers meant that studying at a distance never felt isolating. Many of the people I studied alongside I now consider to be friends, and we remain in regular contact.

I was supported by fantastic tutors throughout the degree, each of whom challenged and encouraged me in different ways. Over the six years it took me to complete the course, my confidence grew substantially, and I began exhibiting my work in a range of settings, including the Mall Galleries in London and MOMA Machynlleth. These experiences were invaluable in helping me understand my future ambitions and how I wanted to present my work.

My favourite part of the degree was the Level 3 units: Advanced Practice, Research, and Sustaining Your Practice. It was during these units that I developed a sustained and in-depth body of work, which I ultimately presented to an audience through a solo exhibition. My practice explored vegetal subjects through close observation and sustained drawing, while my research examined parallels between artistic and gardening practices. This is something I would never have imagined writing about at the start of the course, yet it continues to sustain my practice now.

At the end of my final unit, I was offered an unconditional place on the MA Fine Art course at Central Saint Martins, which I began in September. This would not have been possible without the support and guidance of my tutors and the overall structure of the BA, which helped me to develop confidence and clarity in my work. I would not hesitate to recommend studying with the OCA, and I would encourage new students to be open to experimentation from the start and to take up opportunities as they arise.

You can find Felicity’s work on Instagram at @felicitytalmanart.

Hear more about studying with OCA through our Open Days resources here!