Grace Feehan

For my creative work, please feel free to take a look at my artistic portfolio. I specialise in character design, dark gothic aesthetics, cute illustrations and sex-positive artwork.
I'm regularly available for private commissions and sell merchandise through Etsy.

I also run @WireWitchGames with my partner Adam, a name under which we
create a variety of tabletop content. We treat these as side projects in our busy lives, but we adore making things for others! Look for us at our Twitter and our Itch.io page.

history

study

skills

experience

Having originally got a First Class undergraduate degree in Psychology (University of Nottingham), I quickly realised that I wasn't content in just one field. Essay work I had completed in the department (and other departments) was well-received, but staff lacked the expertise to train me further in the direction I wanted to grow.

I moved quickly to join the University of Birmingham's Computational Neuroscience and Cognitive Robotics research group, where I developed new skills in Python, ROS and the agent-based library MESA. Our robotics project (staffed by 2/3rds ex-Psychologists with little previous programming experience) was one of the highest graded in the 2017 cohort. Supervised by Jeremy Wyatt and Dean Petters, my final MSc project was in implementing and demonstrating effects of executive dysfunction on decision making in simple and complex environments, mimicking disruption of the speed-accuracy trade off that may be present in conditions that affect higher-tier metacognitive thinking, such as depression.

After this, my latest step has been to deepen my knowledge of Python and extend it to multi-agent frameworks in my doctoral research at Loughborough University, under the supervision of Shaheen Fatima. I have been investigating methodologies to improve cooperation in the Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma when using reinforcement learning to develop behavioural playstyles against a variety of opponents in both spatial and non-spatial topologies. Over the course of the project, I have investigated both simplistic and sophisticated methodologies.

I'm currently trying to find ways of augmenting the on-policy reinforcement learning algorithm SARSA to elicit more mutual cooperation between agents than at baseline. The basis of my current phase of research is trying to expand on existing, newly-developed mood-based models in varied environments and with novel additions and changes to evaluate how the model facilitates game playing. Most recently, I have been expanding this field of research by transferring this model into replicated human experimentation involving dynamic networks and Erdős–Rényi graph models.

old website versus new (click to enlarge)

Having utilised Adobe products and a graphics tablet from the age of around 6 or 7, one of my big passions is for visually impressive and creative graphic design. I worked for a local business in Nottingham - a purveyor of both functional and luxury products - for a year upscaling the quality of their promotional web material.From scratch, I redesigned the website for my employer in conjunction with the web development team that hosts it, creating a clean and modern look in place of a previously cluttered and overcrowded visual.I also used that opportunity to develop my photography skills, for the purpose of better highlighting the character of the business (which primarily deals with local households) and the high quality of the products in stock.

Over the years I have developed skill in cohesive and communicative branding; particularly within the artistic community, where it can often be harder to present a unique and distinctive self to clients. By cultivating a knowledge base on the aesthetics and style that are both popular with customers and channel the inner vision for my artistry, I have been able to establish a genuine clientele base for myself.

Most if not all of the graphic elements I use across my work I have designed and created myself, from characters and their stories to accompanying visuals such as overlays and animated gifs for my Twitch channel and beyond. I often receive compliments on these assets, and (I feel) rightfully so; I put a lot of thought and care into each element I use in my work and am proud of my continual growth!

I've written copy for independent lettings agents, revamped social media for a family-owned carpet and furniture store with a large annual turnover, and currently manage a Twitter presence of a combined 1000+ followers across my personal endeavours. I've worked with SEO, tags, engagement and the production of advertisements to grow my artistic brand up from nothing since 2019 - something that has taken a lot of effort, but has paid off in the form of a very loyal community.

Within the last few years, I've been cultivating some of this following through live-streaming on Twitch, where I produced all my own visual assets, promotional material and audiovisual media to entertain viewers whilst I draw digitally. For my artistic endeavours, I take commissions and manage interaction through a service called BuyMeACoffee, a patreon-like. I've also sold the TTRPG supplements I've written and other digital goods through our shopfront on itch.io!

I have been a fully-fledged part-time digital illustrator, primarily focusing on character design work, since mid 2019. I take private commissions, produce and sell my own merchandise, have had this work published in physical zines and have even dipped my toes into very basic animation, too. Drawing is a skill I have cultivated for many years and am constantly looking to develop as an outlet for my creative energies.For a better view of my illustration work, please feel free to look at my portfolio.

Having taken part in several large scale (and occasionally global) fundraising efforts throughout my youth, I am currently extensively involved with a new, local registered charity - Assembled Adventurers.By playing tabletop games online togeher through Twitch, we are able to both entertain viewers and raise thousands of pounds of dontations for a variety of other charities. In recent months, we have fundraised for Shelter, The Trussell Trust, MIND, and CALM.