Creative's Chat - with Lindsay McMullen

I truly believe wholeheartedly that we can gain so much insight, inspiration and courage by learning from others in this world. I love that we are all so different and became that way from our individual experiences and passions.

For two years now I've been tossing around a bunch of ideas on how I can support and learn from new creatives and entrepreneurs and how they got to where they are. My goal with this periodic segment on my blog is to share peoples stories whom I find inspiring and some of their story. I'm all about lifting up others and am motivated by people who are also motivated. I'm super excited to hang out with creative people and learn from them and their stories!

As soon as I had my eyes opened to Lindsay McMullen's Instagram feed I had been amazed in not only her 4000+ followers but her Instagram's clean, and dreamy cohesive feel. I quickly learned not only is she a talented photographer, she's also a graphic designer, is selling some stunning art prints on her etsy shop, annnnnd is a fun lifestyle blogger! We decided to get together last week to hang out and had so much fun on our walk through Point Pleasant Park. During our hangout I decided to ask her some questions !

Tell me a little about yourself.

Lindsay: Well first off, name is Lindsay McMullen! I currently go to NSCC and am in my second year for graphic design. Once I graduated from high school I didn't know what I wanted to do so I ended up moving to Ireland for a year which was an awesome experience and allowed me to separate myself from Halifax, find myself and figure out who I am as a person. I grew up with three older brothers and always felt I was in their shadow so traveling allowed me to grow as an individual. I then came back and worked for a year, still not knowing what I wanted to do with my life so I ended up moving to Australia for six months and then to Africa! I then came back when I was 21 and felt like I needed to start school and have always been creative so I knew I wanted to do something in that field. My brother is a successful graphic designer and owns his own business and he encouraged me to get into the program. I love my course and it gave me the drive to start my own business and surround myself with like minded people. I then gained a lot of interest for the Halifax prints I had sketched and posted on Instagram so I decided to open my Etsy shop! I have had so much success in my business already just because of social media and am excited for all the new opportunities that await.

What inspires you?

Lindsay: I would say where I live. Especially being lucky to be close to something so beautiful like the ocean. I'm also inspired by the like-minded people I choose to surround myself with...creative and motivated people that push me to stay inspire and keep me driven.

What do you love most about what you do?

Lindsay: I love being my own boss first of all. I love having the opportunity to be creative and set my own schedule. I don't have to own up to anyone so I can make my career the way I want it to be.

Do you have a trusty favourite art tool?

Lindsay: Definitely my brush pen which I do my calligraphy with. I got it from my sister-in-law and I love it.

You have an incredible following on Instagram. Has it gotten you any job opportunities?

Lindsay: Oh yea. I'm working with a branding agency in Halifax called Creonix and most of the jobs I have gotten in graphic design and photography have all pretty much been through Instagram. It's a great platform for business.

For someone who wants to do what you do and follow their passions, do you have any advice for them?

Lindsay: Just don't care about what others think. Putting yourself out there is huge for building your business and people won't notice you if you don't have confidence in yourself first. Be true to yourself and believe in what you're doing, be kind and all those factors will make you successful.

Where can people find you?

Lindsay: My Instagram is @lindsaymcmullen I also have my Etsy which is Design With Lindsay, you can follow along to my blog at www.lindsaymcmullen.com and my snapchat is @lindsmcmullen !

Lindsay was such a sweet girl to hang out with and was so sweet to have given me one of her amazing Halifax prints! I can't wait to frame it and I'm already planning on adding to my collection. Be sure to check her out and follow her journey through Instagram!

5 Ways I Find Inspiration

5 Ways To Find Inspiration 

As any creative, you probably find yourself one moment, energized and filled with new creative ideas, and then the next moment, your creative well is bone dry, nothing, nodda, dead to the core. For the first two years of my art business life, this was me 3 times out of the year and it would last anywhere from a month to two months. It would almost scare me! "I've got nothing, does that mean I have to quit? Are people going to forget me? How do I force myself out of this slump?" 

I'm now coming up to my 3 year art anniversary (awwww) and this is the first year I haven't hit a creative slump.. but why? First off, I want to tell you my view on having dry periods. THEY'RE A GOOD THING! Those moments are perfect for self & business reflection. Those are the moments I take to shift my focus from creating on canvas to creating my goals, incubate my ideas and brainstorm how I can grow. So, even when I'm not in the mood to paint, that doesn't necessarily make me feel anxious anymore. It doesnt make me feel like I'm in a dry spell because it's communicating to me that I just need to shift my thinking to the other aspects in my business and maybe slow down and take the time to generate ideas.

During the times when I'm trying to throw together how I should approach my next set of paintings, these are 5 ways that help me stay inspired!

1) Pinterest

- We all know how much content is on this social media platform. I could probably spend everyday on Pinterest and not get a single thing done. My morning routine is I usually get up at 6:30 a.m, get my coffee and sit and research ideas on Pinterest. I have different boards for different categories that I feel pertain to me and my craft and depending on the morning, I focus on one main topic and search the crap out of it ! My boards keep me organized, and because I am my own marketer, crafter, social media "specialist", art photographer and packager (the list goes on) I have to know much more than just how to paint to stay relevant in this world. Then, anytime I get stumped I can go back to my board and see some ideas, tips and tricks I may need at the time.

Maybe I was inspired by clouds one morning, so then the next time I get the paints out and I'm unsure what I should do I can go back to my past ideas!

2) Take an Adventure

- I am truly inspired by nature, and all of the elements. So naturally, this would be a huge help to me. Taking an adventure can be relative to whatever interests you. For me, I love going out into wooded pathways, or parks and taking it all in. The sounds, smells, views, it all seems too whimsical and beautifully intriguing. Your adventure could be to go to local shops, or if you love architecture you could go to a new city or new parts of your own city you haven't yet adventured into. Anything goes!

3) Look at other Artists, what are they doing that's successful? 

- If I feel I'm in a slump, and I haven't gotten some sales or new ideas in a while, I use this time to brainstorm what i could switch up or try that I haven't done yet. This doesn't mean copying other artists, but to be inspired by them. Whether it's a business tactic I see a few artists are doing that seem to be working for them, how can I implement that in my own way? Maybe I see a colour scheme I never thought of, or a brush stroke I've never tried. I can use all these little pieces to incorporate something within my own style while still feeling it's authentic to me.

4) Do something I enjoy that's not related to my artwork

- It's like the saying "Get your head out of the books!". Sometimes you need to just step away and take a breather. In the summer, I love tennis, all year round I love to walk, sometimes I just need a good friend to chat with and a glass of wine in hand. We shouldn't beat ourselves down when we simply need a break. Sometimes just removing yourself from the problem can allow your mind to open back up again.

5) Podcasts

- There are some fabulous podcasts out there for business and creatives that can shed some light on whatever you may need help with. My current podcasts I've been loving are:

Creative Empire

Artists Helping Artists

Being Boss

Creative Pep Talk

Hope this helps you stay inspired!

xx

Summer Dance Series Launch!

A new collection of artwork is available on my site right now!

I am so excited to share this summer series with all of you and hope you enjoy. 

Inspired by the soft, earthy tones of tender succulents and plush cumulus clouds of the summer skies. Each piece of this collections has allowed me to express unsaid words through the world of acrylics and the joy a warm sunny day can bring. 

See The Full Collection!

at jennatkin.com

xx