This is the truth and the truth is what it is.

Holla! 

I'm back and this time I'm here to stay! It’s been too long since I typed my thoughts onto a public domain for other people's eyes.

Why did I stop? I didn’t feel like I had much to say probably. I was too busy working. I didn’t know what to talk about first. I wasn’t sure what I was thinking never mind wanting to tell the world about my thoughts.

Guess what, all of those still apply – to a certain extent – but I have decided I want to share this journey.

The magical journey of the unknown. 

So, what have I been up to? I shall fill you in briefly so that you can catch up quickly so that we can get back to the now. 

I cut my hair, I now look like this (I'm the one wearing the umbrella hat - the other is my sister):

(Photo by Ian Marriot Smith)

I started a business called iamsociable. (read the beginnings of this journey on a previous post here) I’ve had a few clients here and there, it’s had it’s moments – good and mediocre and it’s grown slowly but surely.

So, in brief, iamsociable helps creatives in business through marketing, social media and guidance support. This can be 1-1 sessions, marketing support tailored towards each individual or business as well as workshops and walking chats. (I know there’s already a lot there right.)

I then walked the Camino de Santiago and found another direction I wanted to take in life. What was this? Walking? Not just any walking. Combining my helping creatives and guidance support I wanted to create something that would help people be inspired, come away from their comfort zones, learn and explore and grow their human potential.

So I started iamadventures (can you see the iam theme here?) – taking people on creative adventures all over the world. To explore, learn and be guided to reach their human potential. Notice I say human not personal. Because human means everyone of us, for we are all one.

iamadventures has started, evolved and been on trips....

I’ve also done various things between and after these events, such as run workshops, gone on holidays, found myself in a relationship, been on the School for Creative Startups, had various amazing mentors, become a founding member of the Escape School; but it all comes back to this really:

I promise to work on the things that make me want to cry. Not because they make me sad, or happy but because it strikes a chord in my heart and my heart cries out to be heard.

It is my passion to be of service and to help make the world a better, lighter, more truthful place.

I am the truth and the truth will set me free.

You are the truth and the truth will set you free.

The truth will set us free because the truth is the power that we all hold in our hearts. That is how we should be living - through our hearts.

Are you following your truth?

So, I guess what I’m saying is you can expect some ramblings, some words of wisdom (maybe), some helpful hints and tips, but mostly my journey on being a human in this life. Of living, working, starting more than one business, being in or out of a relationship, being an artist, an activist, a philanthropist, and generally the trials, successes and failures of every day life.

N.B. It is also wise to note that this is all my trail of thought and is not edited or re-written. It is simply what it is. And I wish to share it with you, because it is how it is and it is the truth.

Love,

Natalia x

Using instagram as an artist and creative - the do's and don'ts.

Instagram is a great visual story board of your life as an artist. The behind the scenes moments, the finished outcomes, the draft sketches, the inspiration. This platforms allows fans and buyers to feel a connection and a closer relationship to the work and to you, the artist.

Here are 2 good examples of artist profiles:

Ai Weiwei uses instagram to capture moments and convey where some of his inspiration comes from.

Daniel Arsham uses his instagram as on online portfolio showcasing his body of work. 

Things you should always do:

• Have a link back to your website/blog/shop. (You can't sell directly through the instagram app, but you can direct people to your main site or shop)
• Or you can add a direct paypal address for payment and sell out editions.  
• If you're an artist, watermark your image - PhotoMarkr is a useful app for this.
• Follow artists you love - then you have your own stream of inspiration to browse through.
• Lead people back to your main website with an offer or other enticement or info about an upcoming exhibition. Try and get them to sign up to your mailing list.
• Link up all of your social platforms, facebook, twitter, flickr, tumblr.

Things you shouldn't do:

• Don't put clear and easily steal-able photos of your work - unfortunately people will use them. Use the blurring tool or don't take a full shot of the work, or take at a strange angle. Make people go to your main site to view the work.

• Post an image that you want to reveal at a new show, or are saving to a show to a potential buyer. Once you've put an image out there, it's very difficult to keep control over it. 

There are plenty of new ideas and ways to engage your audience, fans and potential buyers. I'm sure you can each come up with a clever idea - you're a creative after all!

Here's a great way that a New York Restaurant used instagram to help it's customers decide what they wanted to eat by interacting with the menu!

 *These are all points that I discuss and go through during my arts marketing workshops : Build your Online Creative Profile - have a look out on my website under events if you are interested in when the next one is coming up.

Becoming a Successful Creative Entrepreneur, yes that means you, artists!

I'm a firm believer in doing what you feel passionate about and believing you can succeed doing so.

So, creatives out there, this post is aimed at you. 

Enough of the mind frame of, I'm an artist, I should accept that I'm going to be poor. It's ok, because I'm doing what I love...etc etc. This is not a necessary belief. 
IF you would like to make money from your creativity, and that includes those of you who want your creativity appreciated and recognised - because it's the same thing! - Then start doing something about it.

Being a creative does not mean you are rubbish at business. You may well think you are, at first, but as long as you have drive and determination and a passion for what you do, then you can equally be a successful artist and entrepreneur! 

Whilst I was at university, business, finances and how to be self-employed where not subjects that were covered. I believe they should be. In fact I believe it so much I've started to do workshops and seminars on this exact topic! 

Creatives are full of amazing ideas, the UK would not be where it is now if it wasn't for those ideas! Britain's creative talent is a driving force not only nationally, but internationally. 

"Forty percent of tourists to the UK cite culture and heritage as the primary reason for their visit. This generates tens of billions of pounds each year for the UK economy, not only through tickets and entrance fees, but in thousands of pounds spent in shops, hotels and restaurants. All of which is delivering real economic benefits to local businesses and local communities. Understanding the economic potential which the arts and culture offer both directly and indirectly is essential. The arts are not an add-on; they are fundamental to our success as a nation." Maria Miller, Culture Secretary.

Creatives should not think that they have to fit in with anything or anyone, we should do what we do best, think outside the box and create our own jobs. What's wrong with calling yourself a 'Creative Adventure Maiden' ? Nothing. 

The creative sector has a much higher percentage of freelance workers, around 40% compared to 12% in the economy as a whole. So we are doing it, we can do it and we will do it, more and more! 

ARE YOU A CREATIVE? THEN YOU ARE A BUSINESS! 
   

Start accepting, believing and being professional about your practice and you will be on the way to becoming a successful creative entrepreneur, sooner than you think.

Think creatively, think outside the box, think business. 

Pinterest Love

So, I've been on Pinterest for a while now, though I have to be honest I haven't really used my personal account too much - mainly as I spend most of my time looking at it at work.

So, what do I think of it?
As a virtual pin board, it does the job, though if I were to make a board on something important I would need it in physical form rather than placed somewhere in cyberspace.
Yet, I love all the beautiful images that can be found on Pinterest, it is basically an amalgamation of all the good 'stuff' on the web, that someone else has found for you. I particularly love all of the style inspirations - be it fashion or interiors - everyone has such great ideas!

I have to admit even though I did start mine to try and keep it up to date with my art and my ideas I have mainly used it for pretty things that I like! Hmmm - time waster? It's still creative either way!

If you fancy a look and need some inspiration click here.