Creative Ways Podcast

What does Black Lives Matter actually stand for in the UK? 

Spoken word artist and fashion label True colours explains what it's really like growing up in U.K as a second-generation Nigerian.

Prior to Nigeria's independence from Britain, gained in 1960, many Nigerians studied in the UK. This doesn't mean everything has been rosy. True Colours dives deep into the mindsets and ignorance he and of course most has had to endure all of his life. 

We of course talk about True colours poetry and fashion labels but I also wanted him to come on and tell us his experiences and point of view at this time in history here In the U.K.

True  Colours Takeaways 

1.You Could be the inspiration or huge influence to a young person, that might be a neighbour or your child’s friend, never underestimate the power of your words of actions.

2.Its about being different and celebrating this not being the same!

3.BLM is about respect to every human not one community!

4.Get uncomfortable, watch those documentaries or tackle that Acquaintance who’s rolling her eyes about another protest during a pandemic.

5.Writing is freedom. We have a responsibility to keep this going if it’s within us and we have the freedom to express it.

6.Don’t be afraid of asking your friends and love ones their views and feelings at this time. These conversations need to be kept going; we can’t let them be swept away again.

7.Step into your individuality and show your uniqueness.

8.You be you and be the best version you can be!

Go check out True colours on Instagram and YouTube a-

true_colours_clothing_offical

www.showyourtruecolours.co.uk

True Colours Dad Book

Biafra's Struggle for Survival by Christopher Chukwuemeka Ejiofor

https://thisisafrica.me/politics-and-society/british-colonial-system-caused-the-biafran-war-interview/

 

 

 

     

 

One of the biggest struggles many creative entrepreneurs face is pricing. Many find it difficult to reach their desired income because they haven’t got an idea of how much is needed to earn each week to get to their end of year goal.

This week I chat to business coach Debbiedoodah.

In this episode Debbie shares a simple tool she created for her clients to help them make more money!

Debbie is a 6 times award winning business coach, strategist, and all things supportive for creative entrepreneurs.

As well as coaching, she lectures digital marketing at universities, she also runs a fantastic group ‘The blue stockings society’ which is a weekly meet-up in Nottingham for inspiring business owners wanting to connect! Debbie also has a Membership group called ‘Freedom Seekers’.

If that’s not enough, Debbie has a fantastic weekly podcast with her friend Amy called ‘Women Who Create’ which was named top 5 in the U.K for women in business!

Debbie’s been named ‘U.K’s digital Woman of this Year’, and ‘MarketEd Live top 30 marketers that Inspire’ plus Top 50 Twitter Influencer for Gender Inequality to name but a few!

So of course, Debbie has been published in Forbes, the Guardian, f: Entrepreneur, NatWest business, the ecologist, and so much more including radio and local Television

Debbie's story is a big one, she talks about being a young single mum and finding out just months into motherhood that she had Cancer. We talk about Debbies experience and how important she thinks a positive and resourceful mindset is key.   

I know you’re going to love her is she’s so much fun and generous you will instantly feel inspired creatively, which I know many artists don’t feel like in conversations around business strategies.

Find Debbie gifts here -

https://debbiedooodah.co.uk/

Check out her great freebies! https://debbiedooodah.co.uk/freebies

Debbie’s also launched a fantastic new Facebook & Insta Ads mini-course: https://debbiedooodah.co.uk/fb-insta-ads-mini-course

(Many of these photos are by Ursula Kelly)

My guest this week is Australian artist Tracy Verdugo.

Tracy is a teacher, online course creator and best-selling author.

Tracy’s work has been exhibited internationally and she has built a business around teaching others to connect with their creative side, she’s held amazing art retreats all over the world!

What I love mostly about Tracy’s courses and style, is her intuitive mixed media painting which of course requires the students to truly let go and loosen up and break down pre conceptions and maybe bad habits that we can all be guilty of it we don’t mindfully notice our creative perfections.

We chat about the fact that Tracy didn’t think of herself as an artist until late 30’s, in fact her first art class wasn’t until this decade! Which I love, as this must inspire so many people who are frankly in their own way!

I mean guys Elizabeth Gilbert has read this book and been one of her students!

So of course, we talk about their friendship over the years and the retreat Elizabeth ran in Bali this February which Tracy got asked to be part of! Of course, Elizabeth then took her classes at this retreat!

Tracy's takeaways

1.Tracy didn’t start this creative chapter until after a career in teaching and raising a family. She didn’t try an art class until she was in her 30’s so there’s always a good time to try something and if you’re in love with it can grow into a whole new life for you!

2.Being strong in your craft is the same as any skill; it’s not a mythical talent you are born with, it takes hours and hours of practise. And the want and need to develop!

3.Holding a creative space is sacred.

4.Doing the inner work is so important, successful business owners have to have the right healthy mindset.

5.Running on a high inspired place without switching off is damaging! Stress can happen from being in an excited elevated joyful space too. Just because you’re living your best life you still need to practice self care and healthy habits. Boundaries need to be marked.

6.Keep up with your Monograms and her second opinions and as Tracy advises to be your own advocate.

7. If you’ve missed ‘your ship’ there will be more and more and mostly better ones when you’re ready to grab them!

8.If you’re a seeker and an explorer you can absolutely carve this into your creative journey so the two passions go hand in hand.

9.We really don’t know anything beyond this moment.

Tracy also has a new fantastic course out this week actually with an early bird offer about how to tell your story through your art, it looks amazing so check it out!!

You can find Tracy here - 

https://tracyverdugo.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tracyverdugo/

Get Tracy’s book here!

Paint Mojo by Tracy Verdugo

https://amzn.to/3aUahrL

Books discussed - 

https://www.hayhouse.com/happiness-is-the-way-hardcover

https://www.abraham-hicks.com/

Artist Tracy Verdugo is a teacher, online course creator and best-selling author. Tracy’s work has been exhibited internationally and she’s held amazing art retreats all over the world!

Tracy’s courses and style is intuitive mixed media painting which of course requires the students to truly let go and loosen up and break down pre conceptions and maybe bad habits that we can all be guilty of it we don’t mindfully notice our creative perfections.I mean guys, Elizabeth Gilbert has been one of her s

This week we are joined by podcaster Elliott Clifton!  Elliot’s podcast ‘Plain ordinary Dragon’ is philosophy driven, Elliot and his family live a life that truly is driven by this and with heaps of empathy and self discovery.

Elliot is one of those dudes that is just the most interesting guy.

He Studied music under Steve Earl for goodness sake!

Elliot and his wife have lived a plant based life for years and of course his children which is part of the reason why they are home schooled. We talk about this, and of course his time in music. I think you’re going to love our friend from Alabama! 

Elliot’s Takeaways -

1.Keeping promises to ourselves is crucial for self belief and confidence.

2. Focusing on how we are treating ourselves is vital

3.It’s not fair to over commit to yourself either

you will never be crossing off your list if you’re not being realistic

4.There is no destination, it really is a journey

5.Time is truly is the most precious resource we have

6. Golden handcuffs can be dangerous, if you’re in this place at work, try to pick up a hobby to light you back up!

7. Art is an extension of who you are. You don’t have to be suffering in your art. Raising your hand in this just know you are not alone! Art is the super power. We are all artists and creatives in some way

Connect with Elliot -

https://plainordinarydragon.com/

https://www.facebook.com/PlainOrdinaryDragon/

https://www.instagram.com/plainordinarydragon/

Books

The successful speaker -Jeff Goin's http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/the-successful-speaker/394092

 

The big leap - Gay Hendricks https://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Leap-Conquer-Hidden-Level/dp/0061735361

 

7 habits of highly effective people -Stephen Covey https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/books/stephen-r-covey/7-habits-of-highly-effective-people/9780684858395

 

 

Tiff Manuell paints her bright edgy bright edgy abstract pieces onto large canvases sourced from India which then they get cut up sent off to a talented team who make them Into the most amazing one off bags!!

The way Tiff runs her business is equally as magical,  her shop is also her huge studio which means customers can go and see her paint and create her latest pieces, and actually speak to her and tell her which bit you would like her to cut or just have a real intimate experience seeing where these pieces were created!

So of course it makes sense Tate Modern London would approach and stock these stunning pieces of art!

Tiff’s takeaways 💥✨

1.If a studio or shop isn’t speaking to you what about a warehouse or a large space where your customers can visit👌

2.Show your children your day to day work, get them involved. It's great for them to see how hard we have to work and how serious we have to be. Plus they will see the wins and highs💪

3.Giving college pupils work experience is a great way for them to meet possibly their first successful creative and it’s rewarding for you too! 💚

4.If your business is just reacting or treading water or feeling stuck, schedule in a few days for playing and creating again. ✨

5.If you’re spinning all of the plates and you’re feeling it’s not working as you could have spread yourself too thinly with wholesalers, customers or licences follow your gut, you know really if it’s not working and it’s ok to move from that to make an even wilder business! 💥

6.Having your studio as your shop means customers feel they’ve got something more intimate and there’s a story now with each piece💫

7.Meditation doesn’t have to be in the morning, or a quite building, being consistent is more important, find 15 minutes in bed or another room in the house in the evenings even🌙

8.If you're a curious soul and travel is important try and combine this with your business. It can be a blast! 🌍

https://tiffmanuell.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tiffmanuell/

 

"Being In between” is an acclaimed photographic series of portraits with recorded interviews of girls aged between ten and twelve, exploring the complex transition between childhood and young adulthood. Carolyn Mendelsohn has been working on the evolving project for over six years and it arises from her own memories of being this age and the desire to give a voice and faces to the young women who inevitably must pass through these mysterious hinterlands on their journey towards adulthood. During this time Carolyn has completed over ninety portraits and interviews to produce a legacy project that is representative portrait of our time.

One of the awards Carolyn won for this exhibition was a gold medal of her picture of 11 year old Alice Ackroyd in royal photographic society’s international print exhibition! This one out of 57 countries and 5,500 entries and is one of 100 selected to tour and two of her other portraits from this collection were shortlisted too! 

That’s not the only reason Carolyn spoke to us though. 

‘Through Our Lens’ is Carolyn’s latest project with is amazing!  Carolyn has been mentoring groups of young people aged 13-18 documenting Covid 19 in the Bradford area.

Take a look enjoy and please please support!!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/408499994/being-inbetween

https://www.instagram.com/being.inbetween/

https://www.instagram.com/through_our_lens_covid19_proj/

https://www.patreon.com/ThroughOurLens?fan_landing=true

http://www.carolynmendelsohnphoto.com/

Neil Clark is a children’s book illustrator, he’s just this month completed his 12th book! Neil used to be a designer at Hallmark's Tigerprint studio, but when his first book which was a passion project for his friend's app took off, he got approached by an agent and it sold thousands internationally!

Neil decided to ask to drop a day in his full time day job, which led to two days and now he and his illustrator wife both took the leap to go freelance with a small baby in tow!

We talk about his character designs process, his need for side hustles and the importance of this.

His clients include Crayola publishes, Quartoe publishing, Oxford university press, Usbourne publishing, Walker books igloo publishing and Marks and Spencer

Neil’s Takeaways -

1.If you have a strong desire for change, asking your day job if you can drop one day a week is a great first step.

2. If you learn Better from people and end your freelance maybe a shared studio space would help.

3. It’s great to take on work that you like but it’s important to keep on with self directed briefs to show your agent of boss what other styles, you can do

4. Setting the time for an art date each week which isn’t your working day to try new skills and styles

5. Doodling random ideas in your sketchbook each day really does 

6. your ideas come from the doing and keeping on sketching, creating each day.

7. If you have a side project at home you can handle a knock at work if you’ve have another creative outlet. It’s a great coping mechanism. It can give you confidence that you aren’t just relaying on

8. Childhood Stories stay with us forever, so remember the magic and power you have as an illustrator you’re needing motivation

You can find Neil’s book rusty robot and others on Amazon and all good books shops.

Check out him out at-

neilclark.carbonmade.com

Instagram: @neilkiddclarkdesign

Dalia Clark - Instagram @daliaclarkdesign

Books -

The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright and Jim Field 

Mini Rabbit Not Lost (Mini Rabbit)  by John bond

Fanatical About Frogs (Owen Davey Animals Series)

 

 

 

This week we are joined by the super talented Holly Booth and her new business partner Pete! Although not a stranger, Holly and Pete have been together 13 years, so of course working together is a huge and exciting leap!

For those of you who don’t know Holly booth studio (although I doubt that) For over 10 years now they have built a strong reputation got producing contemporary photography for independent makers, designers and shops across the globe!

We talk about the steep learning curve for Pete leaving a full time job in media as a producer for the BBC to working at home with his partner and then of course Covid happened. This was recorded in week 3 so at a really scary time. So it’s interesting to hear how we were at that time too!

But even at the worst time of lock down we talking about the way the business was already set up to work remotely and what their plans are for future.

Holly experienced a big loss in her life a few years ago so she quickly had to free her dairy and schedules and learned how to set boundaries on her business and avoid burnout as much as they can and how this has help change the business for the future.

Holly and Pete’s takeaways -

1.Going from one man band to working with your partner is a massive change so it’s important to tap into each other’s strengths and to have those clear separations 

2.leaving a full time role in large company to working freelance is a big Change, be strategic about your days with lists and set sections of jobs or areas of the house to work  to separate work to down time 

3.It’s important to take the time to invest in your business with new ways to move your brand

4.It’s important to keep trying new ways and not be afraid, if it doesn’t work you move on. 

5.Downtime helps to get inspired again

6.Whatever you’re feeling this time is not insignificant, it's worth paying attention.

7.Getting into the right headspace is so important, play some music, take the dogs for a walk, whatever you need but note what works for you and make it the most important part of setting up your day

You can find Holly and Pete at 

www.hollybooth.com

https://www.instagram.com/hollyboothstudio/

Sheree joins us this week to talk about her brand Whimsy Kaleidoscope.

You will love to see her colourful, fun and sparkly brand, but you will also love to hear Sheree's story too, not only is her wonderful brand just under 4 years old, but she also has a day job too. Students and creatives I coach often say they don’t feel successful or like they can make it work at all fully if they keep their day job for another year. So I know you’re going to love hearing how Sheree navigates it all.

Sheree is Australian too so we talk about how strong the design market is over there and why that is. We talk about licensing and collaborations, and how to not feel overwhelmed and how to keep in your lane, free from the evil comparison gods!

Sheree's takeaways -

1.Having a day job alongside your business can work really well, there are so many benefits to this!  

2.Collaborations are brilliant, try to approach product labels or makers to work with. Especially local!

3.Stop worrying about what others are doing!

4.Things don’t happen overnight.

5.Run your own race and stay focus and in your lane

6.Imposter syndrome is something we should be feeling

7.We don’t have a lot of time here so make it count

8.Be ethical and be proud of what you’re doing.

www.whimsykaleidoscope.com

www.instagram.com/whimsykaleidoscope/