#Meettheresident – WEE NULS
Tell us a bit about yourself and your business?
Hey! I’m Nuala, otherwise known as ‘WEE NULS’. I’m a multi-disciplinary artist working in a variety of mediums including printmaking, digital illustration and spray paint.
I create murals to brighten up the city for council regeneration projects, as well as custom mural design for businesses and private properties. I sell artwork, prints and merchandise via my website and local art markets. I used to do a lot of work in the events industry and festivals but it mostly dried up over the pandemic!
Any projects you’re currently working on?
At the minute I’m planning the repainting of my ‘Bloody Beautiful’ mural which was painted over in March! I’m also designing new merchandise and prints which I hope to release in the next few weeks.
What was the biggest hurdle for you starting out and how did you overcome it?
Going self employed can be really scary and confusing, I felt like I had no idea if I was doing things properly and was scared the government was going to come and shout at me if I was doing it wrong hahah. The Go For It NI programme massively helped with this, it’s a free mentorship scheme for anyone wanting to start their own business. (This isn’t an AD I just really rate the programme!)
How do you stay creative/inspired?
To be honest it’s so hard to stay creative, especially in this time – I’ve learnt that sometimes you’re just not in the mood to create, but you can do other things instead that will help down the line. Even watching films, reading books, doing things outdoors – these things might inspire you and you can draw on them for inspiration when the creativity jumps out. So don’t beat yourself up if you have a creative block, do whatever you need to and try and tune in to what your mind and body wants. Collaborating and talking to other artists and creatives always helps me get inspired as well.
Who is your creative hero?
I have so many! I’m really inspired by Lauren YS, Laura Callaghan, Kashink, and so many other artists who are painting murals on a massive scale and creating big bodies of multi-medium artwork. Local heros I really look up to Friz who has been smashing it recently on tour painting big gable walls down south!
What piece of software/ tool/ equipment would you struggle to run your business without?
Definitely my ipad and ipad pencil haha, but I’d also be absolutely lost without my daily planner. I get the same Moleskin yearly daily planner for christmas every year – it’s an absolute essential.
What’s your top tip/piece of advice for anyone wanting to start their own creative business?
Test the waters first and see if your idea has a market, talk about your idea to your friends and peers and it will naturally start to come into motion! Once you have your idea definitely seek support – there is actually a lot of business mentorship support out there for start up businesses to avail of. Having a creative business can mean some months are slow and some months are mental – get good at budgeting so you’re not stuck when there’s less cash flow.
Find Nualas work at www.weenulsstore.com
