ECUAD Student Publication

Taking it’s name from the mischievous primate companion of Emily Carr, WOO is an experimental magazine which aims to showcase student artwork, criticism and creativity. Throughout ever-evolving manifestations, WOO has remained committed to creating publications which promote curiosity and reflect the temperature of the student body. The WOO team facilitates connections with established artists, curators, and alumni with the intention of engaging and contributing to the surrounding arts community. Submissions are accepted 3 times a year for printed editions, and we encourage feedback and written submissions for blog content throughout the year.

Bethany pardoe

interview by vy le // photographs by ashley cheng

Tell me a little bit about yourself!

I’m a 4th-year Illustration major, graduating this year! For what I do art wise, I like to work on book projects, especially children books with stories and images involved. My grad project is actually a graphic novel about a world of fantastical creatures with the characters going on adventures to break magical curses; yeah, I would categorize it as fantasy!

What motivated you to be featured on FEC this semester?

It’s going to be my last semester at Emily Carr, and I am also already a WOO member; so I say why not?

Can you walk me through your routine, schedule, or a workflow for your practices?

My routine changes a lot depending on the project or what I’m working on. I try to do some sort of art everyday, anything fun. I sketchbook a lot. I would sketch while listening to lectures, watching Youtube, I just kinda do things all at once if I can. I would draw my stories, characters, worlds and narratives. I didn’t always do art like that though. I also write, so I made art and stories separately before; I’ve only combined the two together since majoring in Illustration.

Has your art improved, evolved or shifted focuses during art school?

I have focused more on things that fit my interests! I definitely learn more technical skills and have more time to dedicate to perfecting my art.

Do you like Vancouver?

I’m not a big city person, I like being somewhere quiet, more slow-paced and probably closer to nature! I’d still stay in Vancouver for a bit after graduation to find a job and everything, though.

How do you resonate with your characters?

I resonate with them a lot! Many of them are really just parts of myself really, with some twists. They would be involved with things I was interested in when I was younger, or things that I experienced. They could be my younger selves, or my current self. My current favourite original character is Molina: she is a young teen, a mole-like creature who lives in an underground village and wears an embroidered dress from her mom; her parents, friends, everyone around her is some sort of earth creature.

What would you say is your style of art?

Fairytale storybook would be an accurate description! I like textures and colours in my art, and I intend to make it representational and not abstract.

I noticed your art has a lot of symbolism, would you say the same?

Yeah! I always try to include some sort of symbols in my art, I just find them meaningful. To keep track, I have notes on these in all sorts of locations like note apps, google docs, lists and in my sketchbooks.

What has your experience at ECU been like, how has it changed?

It’s been a good experience! First year was a lot of doing everything, meeting people from other majors, trying out different art forms, ect. I really enjoy my professors and my peers! Academic courses never seem to end, and I wish I can take more classes which is crazy but yeah!

Your favourite spot on campus?

It would be the Illustration lab: I just stay there and draw. I do like the library as well, usually I just chill there, although I’d like to read more!

Thank you Bethany, any last messages for anyone who is reading this?

I guess it's to do the things you’re interested in, things that make you happy and not just to get a job. I think it’s hard to sustain if you are not happy doing it.