BECOME AN AWARD WINNING ARTIST!
Do you dream of becoming an award-winning artist? Finally getting some recognition for the work that you put your heart and soul into creating. Well, the idea might seem daunting at first, but let me tell you—it might be more achievable than you think! Yeah sure the fear of rejection and the pressure of competition can be overwhelming. But here’s the truth: You’re not going to win anything if you don’t enter. You have to be in it to win it! So, here’s why you might consider entering yourself…
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RBSA PORTRAIT EXHIBITION.
What makes a ‘good’ portrait? Every face is different and how we view those faces is so subjective. But, a ‘good’ portrait has to make a connection in some way, and allow you to feel something. This isn’t always an easy thing to do. That’s why, I’m super excited to share some fantastic news, which you might have already seen on my social media – one of my portraits made it into the RBSA Portrait Exhibition 2024 and is currently on show at the gallery. This is such a cool honour, and I couldn't be happier, especially as I wasn’t even sure I was going to enter anything.
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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!
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BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
Let’s face it! We’re all a little nosey and have wondered at some point... What goes on behind closed doors? It’s the age-old question that’s led to countless tales, theories, assumptions and especially when it comes to sex and relationships.
Sex, the ultimate behind-closed-doors activity, has long been shrouded in mystery and fascination. It was once the stuff of whispered conversations, secret glances, and clandestine rendezvous. But why the secrecy?
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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.
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HOW WE DEFINE OURSELVES MATTERS!
In the kaleidoscope of creativity, the question of how we define ourselves emerges as a profound exploration of identity and expression. Are you a painter, a photographer, a poet? Do these titles we give ourselves define us, or limit us? Big questions! But questions that we, as creatives should all be thinking about.
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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.
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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…
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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.
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THE HONOURABLE FRENCH MENTION.
No, it's not the title of a Wes Anderson film, though it’s possible to imagine a quirky tale unfolding against the backdrop of charming French streets and eccentric characters with a title like this. But, in a plot twist, this story is actually about a photographer's journey capturing a few moments frozen in time, and those moments in time being deemed worthy of an ‘Honourable French Mention’. Not just any ‘Honourable French Mention’ but one in the prestigious Paris Photography Prize (PX3) Awards.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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…
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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!
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BLINDED BY THE 'LIKES'!
Social Media! Now there’s a subject! I don’t know about you, but I have a kind of ‘Love/Hate’ relationship with it. Social media can be the provider of so much good stuff and inspiration but, on the flip side can be a source of a lot of nonsense, time-wasting, and, in today’s world, seems to be all-consuming. But, like anything, it’s how you use it right? Although, it seems so many people crave that dopamine hit that social media validation and the digital world can provide, simply through the tap of a screen. But, are we simply becoming blinded by the ‘likes’, comparison culture, and our own sense of self-importance… (He says, writing a blog about himself and his own sense of self-importance! The irony isn’t lost on me.)
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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…
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MAKE ART FOR ART'S SAKE!
Sometimes it’s not the end product that matters, it’s the process. Simply enjoying the act of making and creating something, for the sake of, well, making and creating something! When you're a professional creative it's always about the end product or meeting a brief. And sometimes creating for creating's sake goes out the window. We all have bills to pay! But, there are so many benefits to it. So, when was the last time you created something simply for the fun of it?
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CAPABLE!
We've all been there! Relationships end. Heartbreaks happen, and people change. But, what do you do with the relics of a relationship? And I mean, both the physical and the psychological. Do you destroy them? Bury them deep inside yourself perhaps? Or, do you embrace them, use them and learn from them? Let's face it, it's rare that anyone escapes life without some sort of pain or suffering. But, with pain and suffering comes an opportunity, if we so choose, to learn more about ourselves and grow. To become stronger and really see what we are capable of.
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