Meet our next Nurture Program participant, artist @verahylands

Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your creative work?

My name is Vera Hylands, and I’m a self-taught artist with a background in business and a lifelong passion for creative work. Although I grew up in the bustling city of Moscow, I have always felt most at home in nature, which fuels my artistic vision and drives the messages in my art. Over the years, I’ve worked in digital textile printing, which has given me a unique understanding of how to transform art into tangible items, but ultimately, my love for art and environmental advocacy led me down a new path. After moving to Northern Ireland, I was deeply struck by the country’s natural beauty, alongside a sense of loss due to environmental challenges. I’m now building a creative brand that celebrates Northern Ireland’s landscapes through abstract art, with the specific goal of drawing attention to the need for environmental preservation and restoration. Using mixed media, I aim to capture the spiritual and emotional essence of nature while telling a story about the region’s environmental past, present, and potential future.

Read the full interview on our website blog (link in profile) 🌟 🌳

Our next Nurture Program Participant interview is with Grainne Mullan a freelance textile design and co-founder of a CIC called Kitsch Sisters @kitschsistersbelfast which aims to create community connections by providing creative self-care and high-quality workshops to help peoples mental well-being. 

Grainne is currently busy organising a Winter Solstice Supper Club for this Saturday night at Mornington Community Project on the Ormeau Road! Booking details on her Instagram ✨️

You can read the full blog on our website link in profile 🌟

In October we started an 8 month incubation program for 4 emerging creatives. Over the next couple of weeks we will be sharing a bit about each of the 4 participants. Starting with Bethany Millican an artist and illustrator

Full interview on our blog ✨️ (link in bio)

Stéphanie Heckman, a graphic recorder and visual communicator and one of our Hill St residents, gave a wonderful talk earlier this month. Sharing her creative journey with her business and some tips and insights for other creatives starting their own creative business in NI! Here are some of the key lessons I took from Stéphanie`s talk. I am definitely going to try and be more strategic in 2025 and more bold and brave and think about how I talk about myself and Blick to myself and in public!

In beautiful Bologna for Bautopia 5 Culture and Creativity Conference on Ecological and Financial Sustainability in the creative and cultural sectors. Looking forward to meeting lots of interesting people and getting lots of new knowledge and tips on making our activities and studios more sustainable going forward!

To finish up our finance resources for emerging creatives, we thought we would put together some techniques we have used to manage our costs at Blick over the years!

Read the full blog on our website (link below or in bio)

https://blickstudios.org/blog/managing-your-creative-businesss-finances/

After a hectic few months, we are back to sharing out useful resources for creatives starting their own business/ practice. 

 

This week we will be sharing some different financial resources. Starting today with some useful financial links for creatives starting their own business

Let us know if you can think of any we have forgotton or anything that was helpful to you when starting out that we can add to the list!

HMRC what does it mean to be self-employed? – https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself

Registering as self-employed – https://www.gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader

Registering for VAT if your turnover exceeds £85,000 – https://www.gov.uk/vat-registration/when-to-register

Link to a cashflow template – https://www.startuploans.co.uk/cash-flow-forecast-template/

HMRC free payroll software – https://www.gov.uk/basic-paye-tools

View on our website link in bio or

https://blickstudios.org/resources/useful-finance-resources-links/

We have 1 dedicated deskspace coming available in our Hill St studios from the start of December!
- £165 per calendar month all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities,
broadband etc)
- 3 months minimum contract then on a month by month basis
- 24 hour access
- City centre location
Email christine@blickstudios.org for more info or to arrange a viewing or visit our website:
https://blickstudios.org/locations/hill-street-belfast/