A teacher who went back to university after 20 years in the profession is already making waves in her new vocation, with her final year university project winning praise in the literary world.

Middlesex University illustration student Genevieve Melaugh created illustrations for her final year project based on the mock Victorian novel ‘The Quincunx’ by Charles Palliser. The award winning author visited the University to see the work calling it "beautiful and perceptive".

The former French and Spanish teacher joined Middlesex after deciding on a change of career, enrolling on an intensive art and design foundation course with a view to signing up for a fine art degree. During her course she was recommended to take on an illustration degree instead, after one of her lecturers identified her flair for it.

Genevieve commented: “The foundation course was a real voyage of discovery. I didn't even know what an illustrator was, but my lecturer’s recommendation was right and it was the best decision I ever made to enrol in the illustration course at Middlesex.”

The multi-talented mature student also performs static and double trapeze, and forms part of a group called Airealism.  She has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with the group that specialises in circus arts. She is now considering studying for a Masters degree at Middlesex.

Genevieve Melaugh, who graduated from Middlesex University in July, said: “Meeting the author of the novel I was illustrating was an amazing experience. After spending so much time in his world, being able to speak to him was so rewarding. Having interpreted his world my own way and then being complemented by him was the most wonderful birthday present, as we met on my birthday. I can't wait to read his new novel "Rustication" that is coming out in the autumn.”

Photos:
Top: Genevieve Melaugh in front of her illustrations