TRYING SOMETHING DIFFERENT!
Here in Creative Nowhere Land, I’m all about trying something different, pushing the boundaries of what I feel I’m capable of and getting out of my comfort zone. I truly believe that’s the way we all grow as humans. So, I’m embracing the exhilarating (not nerve-wracking at all!) challenge of getting in front of the camera again to share some insights, experiences, and, hopefully, a whole lot of inspiration. Exploring some of the universal issues that artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs face, and ones that I’m facing on my journey. So, grab your popcorn, hit that play button, and let's dive in. It's time to try something different!
Read More
I'M STARTING A PODCAST!
The clue’s in the title really! But, yes I'm starting a podcast! A new chapter of creativity, inspiration, and artistic exploration for me and Creative Nowhere Land that I’ve been talking about for a long time. I truly believe that in the vast landscape of artistry and creative expression, there's always room for more voices, more stories, and more inspiration. So over the past few months, I’ve started to sit down, delve deep, and record some captivating conversations with some of the most interesting and inspiring humans in my life. The results of which, I'll be turning into The Creative Nowhere Land Podcast.
Read More
19TH POLLUX AWARDS - FOTONOSTRUM GALLERY.
Don’t worry! I know it’s the end of December but this blog has nothing to do with Christmas or those somewhat ambitious, often unachievable, January goals! I’m sure you’re all bored of hearing about them by now anyway, as we all sit in the limbo of the post-Christmas week slump! No! This is about something way more important, well to me anyway—my first international exhibition at the Fotonosturm Gallery in Barcelona, Spain.
Read More
MALAGA LOVES ART!
There are always opportunities to grab creative inspiration in life. But, some are better than others. Getting out of your comfort zone and into a new environment can be a great catalyst for new inspiration. Travelling is more than a mere journey from one place to another; it's a chance to feed the creative soul and unlock the hidden inspirations that the normal day-to-day, perhaps, can’t. When we put ourselves in new environments, we naturally become more observant. New sights, sounds, smells etc. New ‘inputs’ everywhere that, in turn, might help inspire our future creative ‘outputs’. So, in need of a few new inputs, I was lucky enough to be invited to Malaga in Spain, to see what I could discover…
Read More
CRAFTING YOUR CREATIVE IDENTITY!
In the ever-evolving landscape of art and creativity, standing out from the crowd has never been more crucial. Whether you're a painter, musician, photographer, writer, or any type of creative, establishing your brand is a powerful tool that can elevate your work to new heights. In this blog post, we'll delve into five compelling reasons why artists and creatives should invest in shaping their unique brand just like the biggest companies in the world do.
Read More
SKINMMETRY
It’s a ridiculous title I know! But, in a world awash with the ordinary, why not break away from the mundane boundaries of conventionality and explore, not only the abstract nature of the human body, but also take an unusual visual journey into the world of symmetry that can sometimes challenge, or distort, the perceptions of what we’re seeing. That’s what I did in this new project.
Read More
BREAKING NEWS!
There’s something about being recognised for our pursuits and endeavors that just feels good. Especially as a creative. No matter what we might say outwardly, I think we all crave some sort of validation and connection with others. Something to tell us that we’re on the right path, however slowly it may be taking us to walk it. I recently had one of those moments...
That moment came in the form of an email. And as a result, I’ve got some exciting news to share with you all. I’ve received not just one, but TWO honorable mentions in the 19th Pollux Photography Awards! And to top it all off, two of my images will be showcased in an exhibition at the Fotonostrum Gallery in Barcelona this December.
Read More
EMAIL VS SOCIAL MEDIA FOR ARTISTS.
Do you have a love/hate relationship with social media? Choosing the right platform? Always having to be active, staring at a screen to keep up the small bit of engagement you might have? Or do you have a huge following and can’t get enough of social media? Either way, building Email Newsletter Subscribers might still be a game-changer for artists and creators in 2023.
I started an Email Newsletter in the very early stages of Creative Nowhere Land. But, I’ll be honest, I didn’t realise the potential advantages of really trying to get people to sign up. Until now! So, I’ve been going a little deeper into this topic, about the power of building your email newsletter subscribers versus relying solely on social media platforms. And, I’m learning how it can, potentially, make a huge difference in your artistic journey.
Read More
NO INPUT! NO OUTPUT!
Strummer’s Law states, “No Input, No Output.” Named after a quote by the lead singer of The Clash, Joe Strummer, it’s a law that all of us creatives probably need to follow if we’re not already. Meaning that without a constant flow, or regular updates of inspiration into our lives, ideas can run out. Leading to yes, you guessed it, no output! It’s like a circle. We need to feed our imaginations with input, in order to have ideas and to create the output. So, that was the mission this week… Input!
Read More
YOU LEAVE ME EMPTY.
There’s a certain beauty that you can find in the darkness. A level of humanity and emotion that we all go through, and that most of the time we try to battle against. But why? Why fight against a part of us that is so integral to knowing the ‘real’ person that we are? We've all got both a light and a dark side of us. It's that dark side that's always interested me. Renowned psychologist Carl Jung called it the ‘shadow’. The unconscious and disowned parts of our personalities that the ego fails, or doesn’t want, to see, acknowledge, and accept. But, what if, by learning to accept and understand our shadow side we can, in some sense, make peace with it? Instead of fighting it, we can use it to our advantage. Now, this isn’t a blog telling you how to confront your own psychological shadow side but more a blog about the possible inspiration it can give you when you do…
Read More
CNL x JDR BRANDING.
As an artist, developing a strong personal brand can help you stand out from the crowd, attract new fans, and establish a lasting connection with your audience so you’re remembered. A well-defined brand can help you communicate your unique style, values, and creative vision to the world. All of this is very true and worth paying attention to, but, a bit heavy, right? When does a brand really become a brand? When it’s got ‘merch’ that’s when! So, I teamed up with JDR Branding and we made some merch!
Read More
EXHIBIT RBSA...
As creatives we all have doubts! I’ve spoken a lot about ‘Imposter Syndrome’ and how, in some cases, it can hold us back from the life that we want. It happens to all of us, and one of the best ways to combat that nasty voice of doubt in your head is to take action. More doing and less thinking! (Thinking vs Doing). So, when the voice inside my head started piping up again recently, that’s exactly what I did. Less thinking and more doing, and I’m so glad I did! As maybe here is some evidence that I’m not quite the imposter I thought. I present ‘Exhibit RBSA’ to the court…
Read More
MUSE
Firstly, what is a muse? Is a muse simply the source of an artist or creator’s inspiration or, is it much more complex? Over time, the term ‘muse’ has become a bit contentious for some. Often portrayed as female, ‘The perception of the muse is that of a passive, powerless model, at the mercy of an older artist.’ But is this really the case, or should we be rethinking this outdated and simplified idea around the subjects that have inspired some of the world’s great art?
Read More
7 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE! (FREE PDF)
I started Creative Nowhere Land because I was in a rut! Well, more of a creative black hole to be much more melodramatic about the whole thing! I'm sure I'm not the only one who's felt like this. It can happen to every creative from time to time where you just feel a little stuck for ideas!
Now, if you’re feeling a little like that, and are in need of some tips and tricks to help you stay creative, then you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to share with you ‘7 Ways to Stay Creative’. These 7 ideas come from a longer list of ‘25 Ways to Stay Creative’ that I'm sharing as a free downloadable poster that anyone can use. So, be sure to read to the end to find out how to get your free copy!
Read More
A GUN FOR HIRE!
Groundbreaking, provocative images. Cinematic and erotically charged narratives that, throughout his 50-year career, were a mainstay of the pages of Vogue as well as many other publications. His images pushed the boundaries of fashion, art and advertising helping revolutionise photography forever. A photographer that hated political correctness, who merged fashion photography with fetishism and nudity which earnt him the nickname ‘The Father of the Nude’ and ‘The King of Kink’. His images, often controversial, conflict opinions still to this day with some calling them empowering and some misogynistic. ‘A gun for hire’ or a great artist? Whatever your opinion, for me, he is undoubtedly one of the most inspiring and greatest photographers of all time. There is only one Helmut Newton!
Read More
WHAT IS 'GOOD' ART?
What is art? I know that’s a big, debatable and somewhat philosophical question but I’m serious, what constitutes art for you? As an artist and creative, it’s something I’ve obviously thought about and looked into quite a lot over the years. But, I thought I’d Google it and see what the internet seemed to think. The answer I got is probably as debatable as the question itself but, here it goes… According to Wikipedia, ‘Art is something that can stimulate an individual's thoughts, emotions, beliefs or ideas in some way through the senses’. Well, that’s very broad and all-encompassing, right? So my next question is…What is ‘good’ art?
Read More
IT'S ABOUT THE JOURNEY
We’re all on a journey! But, sometimes we become so focused on the future destination that we can forget where we’ve been and the things that have led us to the point in time where we are now. I think it’s important to reflect and look back at your story, and that journey, from time to time as a reminder to yourself of how you got here and how far you’ve come. Well, I had the chance to reflect on my own story recently, and take a trip down memory lane, when I was asked to be a guest on a podcast called ‘Career Advice for the Clueless’.
Read More
EXPLORE, INSPIRE, CREATE!
It’s that time of year again! Resolutions being made and goals being set with that optimism that comes with the start of every new year. What about you? Are you a goal setter? Got any resolutions you’re already struggling to stick to? Or are you not bothered with any of that and just going to take 2022 day by day and see what surprises it brings? (Let’s face it, after the last couple of years who knows what will happen in this one?) Whichever side of the ‘new year goal setting’ camp you sit on I thought I’d let you know some of my ‘intentions’ for the year. I’m guessing the title of the blog might have already given them away, but stick with me if you want me to expand on them a little…
Read More
WE'RE NOT NORMAL!
Have you ever felt like you’re a little misunderstood? Maybe you think about or see the world differently or your ideas and ways of expressing them are sometimes lost on the people around you? Or you feel like perhaps, you’re just not ‘normal’? Well… I’m here to tell you that I feel all of them but I’m trying my very best to embrace it because I’ve realised that I’m definitely not normal and neither are you!
Read More
FINDING YOUR VOICE
What’s your art about? What are you trying to say? Have you found your ‘artistic voice’? Some big questions there so I’ll give you a minute to think about them… If you answered all of those questions with ease then hats off to you but, for some artists, me included, these questions might not be so easy to answer. But first and foremost let’s start with the main question, what the hell is your ‘artistic voice’ anyway?
Read More
