UDSKRIFT 🔗
1
00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:11,280
So today we welcome contemporary
artist Emma Jacobs to the podcast.
2
00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:12,570
Thank you so much.
3
00:00:12,570 --> 00:00:14,100
I'm so excited to be here.
4
00:00:14,700 --> 00:00:18,600
So Emma, can you tell us a little
about you, your artistic style
5
00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:20,220
and how you came to be in cork?
6
00:00:22,110 --> 00:00:25,830
I came to be in Cork through
a kind of a bizarre way.
7
00:00:25,830 --> 00:00:30,990
We were running a, an art themed B&B
in Durban in South Africa, and we
8
00:00:30,990 --> 00:00:33,170
had a couple stay with us in the B&B.
9
00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:36,570
They had sold their house and
they were staying with us while
10
00:00:36,570 --> 00:00:37,500
they were wrapping that up.
11
00:00:38,070 --> 00:00:40,650
And they happened to mention
that they had a holiday apartment
12
00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:42,390
in a place called Kinsale.
13
00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:43,560
I said, where's that?
14
00:00:43,620 --> 00:00:44,460
She said, Google it.
15
00:00:44,460 --> 00:00:45,000
So I did.
16
00:00:45,510 --> 00:00:49,620
Little did we know that less than one
year later we'd be living a mere 16
17
00:00:49,620 --> 00:00:51,860
kilometers down the road in Ballinhassig
18
00:00:52,350 --> 00:00:56,950
And I think that's just a phenomenal
testament to how the power of
19
00:00:56,950 --> 00:01:00,370
connection and planting seeds can
make such a difference in one's life.
20
00:01:00,470 --> 00:01:04,429
And I've literally just wrapped
up a three week solo exhibition
21
00:01:04,429 --> 00:01:05,510
at the Kinsale Library.
22
00:01:05,510 --> 00:01:09,649
So this place of Irish heritage
for us has been really significant.
23
00:01:10,100 --> 00:01:13,220
So a little bit about myself
and my artistic journey.
24
00:01:13,429 --> 00:01:18,860
I started art as a very young child and
went to art classes throughout my career
25
00:01:18,890 --> 00:01:24,350
at school, finished off school with
art, and during the process had been to
26
00:01:24,380 --> 00:01:28,550
a child art studio with a woman called
Nina Campbell Choir in Johannesburg.
27
00:01:29,685 --> 00:01:31,970
I didn't study art at university.
28
00:01:31,970 --> 00:01:35,360
I'd been on an exchange year to
Luxembourg and then came back and did
29
00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:41,070
an undergrad degree in with a Bachelor
of Arts languages and hr, and then did a
30
00:01:41,070 --> 00:01:43,710
post-grad in organization and development.
31
00:01:44,190 --> 00:01:48,000
Went into a learning and development
career for nearly 10 years, and then we
32
00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:52,140
decided to opt out of our corporate and
consulting careers and go into our own
33
00:01:52,140 --> 00:01:57,120
businesses and landed up for the next
20 years running art themed b and Bs.
34
00:01:58,184 --> 00:02:02,384
In 2016, I started an oil
painting for beginners class.
35
00:02:02,835 --> 00:02:07,005
It turned out I was quite good at
it, and i've managed to get a lot
36
00:02:07,005 --> 00:02:10,245
of practice in, because if you're
running B&Bs, you have no life.
37
00:02:10,695 --> 00:02:14,355
You are always waiting for guests
either to come for breakfast, to
38
00:02:14,355 --> 00:02:17,595
check in, to check out, to take
their dinners, whatever it may be.
39
00:02:17,984 --> 00:02:19,484
It runs seven days a week.
40
00:02:19,484 --> 00:02:20,355
It's relentless.
41
00:02:20,775 --> 00:02:24,405
So while Habi may be
watching tv, I was painting.
42
00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:27,480
One day, one of my guests
said to me, do you sell them?
43
00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:29,400
I said, of course I do.
44
00:02:29,550 --> 00:02:29,940
Yes.
45
00:02:30,615 --> 00:02:32,784
God, how do I figure out
how to price paintings.
46
00:02:33,384 --> 00:02:38,164
Anyhoo, my art themed to B&B landed
up being my Emma Jacobs art gallery.
47
00:02:38,254 --> 00:02:38,554
Yeah.
48
00:02:38,884 --> 00:02:41,434
It was wonderful because
I had zero competition.
49
00:02:41,535 --> 00:02:44,475
And if people liked me and they
resonated with me and they liked the
50
00:02:44,475 --> 00:02:50,625
b and or South Africa, they would
choose a piece of art as a memento of
51
00:02:50,625 --> 00:02:52,365
our relationship and their journey.
52
00:02:52,815 --> 00:02:55,665
And I would then become part
of their journey with my piece
53
00:02:55,665 --> 00:02:57,015
of art going home with them.
54
00:02:57,584 --> 00:03:02,144
I literally have art all over the
world, from Japan to Ghana, Sweden,
55
00:03:02,624 --> 00:03:05,174
Canada States, everywhere, all over.
56
00:03:05,744 --> 00:03:06,075
Yeah.
57
00:03:06,644 --> 00:03:11,714
So then I very soon started a painting
with a group of practicing artists.
58
00:03:11,714 --> 00:03:12,974
At a studio on the Durban Beach front.
59
00:03:13,363 --> 00:03:18,373
And on the 7th of March, 2020, I
had the opening of my first solo art
60
00:03:18,373 --> 00:03:21,493
exhibition at La Foyer in Durban.
61
00:03:22,559 --> 00:03:27,659
It was a wonderful event and all my mates
pitched and the family was there, and it
62
00:03:27,659 --> 00:03:33,223
was just a huge celebration and validation
of this four year journey of starting
63
00:03:33,223 --> 00:03:35,653
my art and growing it and developing it.
64
00:03:37,033 --> 00:03:39,493
And then one week later, the
travel bans were announced.
65
00:03:39,523 --> 00:03:40,003
Yes.
66
00:03:40,273 --> 00:03:43,963
And I managed to quickly get in and
rescue my paintings and bring them
67
00:03:43,963 --> 00:03:46,833
home thinking it was only three
weeks that we were shutting down.
68
00:03:46,833 --> 00:03:47,853
And of course it wasn't.
69
00:03:47,853 --> 00:03:48,243
Yeah.
70
00:03:48,679 --> 00:03:53,719
We had three big BMBs, 15
staff, and everybody panicked.
71
00:03:53,869 --> 00:03:56,179
So as you can imagine, we were
in a little bit of trouble.
72
00:03:57,108 --> 00:04:01,578
The only money that was really safe was
Load full transcript
the money that was put aside in a kitty.
73
00:04:01,759 --> 00:04:03,168
From the sale of my art.
74
00:04:03,918 --> 00:04:09,768
And long story short, that kitty,
which wasn't that much, paid for us
75
00:04:09,768 --> 00:04:14,688
to fly out to do our mandatory hotel
quarantine to pay the first month's
76
00:04:14,688 --> 00:04:16,638
rent, to buy the first little car.
77
00:04:17,224 --> 00:04:20,974
And I started off working in hotels here.
78
00:04:21,084 --> 00:04:24,924
I worked first as a duty manager and
then moved over as the people and culture
79
00:04:24,924 --> 00:04:28,654
manager at the Montenotte Hotel in Cork
City carrying on with my art now in the
80
00:04:28,654 --> 00:04:34,354
background and trying to build the art
career now that I had fought so hard to
81
00:04:34,354 --> 00:04:35,974
build for four years in South Africa.
82
00:04:35,974 --> 00:04:36,184
Yes.
83
00:04:36,364 --> 00:04:36,664
Yeah.
84
00:04:36,784 --> 00:04:39,164
And start all over again here in Ireland.
85
00:04:39,794 --> 00:04:44,774
So that was loads of fun and picking
up commissions as I was going along.
86
00:04:44,834 --> 00:04:46,274
Mostly private commissions.
87
00:04:46,814 --> 00:04:50,474
And one of the things that we
did at the Montena was a complete
88
00:04:50,474 --> 00:04:52,154
renovation of the back of house areas.
89
00:04:52,234 --> 00:04:54,764
And it was really beautiful
employee, restaurant, changing
90
00:04:54,764 --> 00:04:55,904
facilities, et cetera.
91
00:04:56,324 --> 00:05:02,684
And I wangled my way into being the back
of house artist, had all my work up in the
92
00:05:02,684 --> 00:05:04,359
back areas where all the employees were.
93
00:05:04,389 --> 00:05:06,309
We had 29 different nationalities.
94
00:05:06,984 --> 00:05:09,714
And sold one of them to
a Reunion Island waiter.
95
00:05:12,054 --> 00:05:17,154
And then from there I started getting
ready for my first solo exhibition.
96
00:05:17,784 --> 00:05:22,644
And while I was doing that, I took
the big decision to exit my formal
97
00:05:22,914 --> 00:05:26,813
senior management salary and roll.
98
00:05:26,873 --> 00:05:32,784
And I left in April of 2024 to go
full-time as a professional artist.
99
00:05:32,884 --> 00:05:38,074
I've been busy since then and I've just
completed my fourth solo exhibition
100
00:05:38,584 --> 00:05:42,964
at the Kins Hill Library and I am
currently artist in residence at
101
00:05:42,964 --> 00:05:47,763
the Address Hotel in Cork City, and
it's been a really exciting journey.
102
00:05:47,864 --> 00:05:51,133
Figuring out how the art
industry works in Ireland.
103
00:05:51,193 --> 00:05:51,554
Yes.
104
00:05:51,554 --> 00:05:51,763
Yeah.
105
00:05:51,823 --> 00:05:55,853
How the different groups work the
galleries work here, how the markets
106
00:05:55,853 --> 00:05:59,993
work here, how the shows, the festivals,
the craft fairs, all of those things.
107
00:06:00,533 --> 00:06:05,063
And part of that journey has
been to specifically network
108
00:06:05,063 --> 00:06:06,803
with both artist groups.
109
00:06:06,853 --> 00:06:11,023
So I'm a member of Sample studios,
for example, but also networking
110
00:06:11,023 --> 00:06:14,033
groups like Network Cork, which
I really believe quite firmly in.
111
00:06:14,873 --> 00:06:16,734
So that's kind of it in a nutshell.
112
00:06:16,794 --> 00:06:17,063
Okay.
113
00:06:17,063 --> 00:06:19,794
It's been a whirlwind tour of the journey.
114
00:06:20,828 --> 00:06:26,288
People, art, learning and development,
hospitality, those are all my superpowers.
115
00:06:26,318 --> 00:06:26,619
Yeah.
116
00:06:26,948 --> 00:06:31,388
And I'm really blessed that as a
self-employed creative entrepreneur
117
00:06:31,388 --> 00:06:34,778
and visual artist, I'm able to kind
of pull all those things together.
118
00:06:34,869 --> 00:06:35,048
Yeah.
119
00:06:35,048 --> 00:06:35,108
Yeah.
120
00:06:35,114 --> 00:06:35,364
Okay.
121
00:06:36,158 --> 00:06:40,028
And how would you describe the
overall feeling or message you
122
00:06:40,028 --> 00:06:41,648
hoped convey through your art?
123
00:06:42,728 --> 00:06:46,748
My art is all things bright and beautiful.
124
00:06:46,828 --> 00:06:49,468
I love to capture what I see.
125
00:06:49,468 --> 00:06:52,258
The beauty of what I see in my daily life.
126
00:06:52,258 --> 00:06:56,518
The people I meet, the faces,
the places, and especially in
127
00:06:56,518 --> 00:06:58,618
and around Kinsel and West Cork.
128
00:06:58,678 --> 00:07:00,088
It's just beautiful.
129
00:07:00,208 --> 00:07:04,648
And why would you not want to paint
these beautiful, vibrant paintings?
130
00:07:05,278 --> 00:07:11,818
So I believe that my art should
bring joy and happiness and nostalgia
131
00:07:11,818 --> 00:07:16,228
and beauty to people's homes
or offices or their businesses.
132
00:07:17,068 --> 00:07:22,708
That a lot of what I paint is linked to
nostalgia, children playing on beaches,
133
00:07:22,708 --> 00:07:25,048
the joy of a couple walking on a beach.
134
00:07:25,538 --> 00:07:28,578
Beautiful towns in West Cork.
135
00:07:28,578 --> 00:07:31,158
I mean, it's just it's a
beautiful source of inspiration.
136
00:07:31,698 --> 00:07:33,468
I love painting big portraits.
137
00:07:33,768 --> 00:07:35,628
I love painting big landscapes.
138
00:07:35,928 --> 00:07:37,158
Pretty much paint everything.
139
00:07:37,278 --> 00:07:41,898
Work off a photographic reference, and so
long as it's caught my eye, I'll paint it.
140
00:07:42,228 --> 00:07:42,438
Okay.
141
00:07:42,438 --> 00:07:43,518
It's a snail.
142
00:07:44,208 --> 00:07:44,958
Seascape.
143
00:07:45,288 --> 00:07:45,858
It doesn't matter.
144
00:07:46,128 --> 00:07:47,178
So long as it's beautiful.
145
00:07:47,448 --> 00:07:52,698
I think your paintings really, it's like
they conjure up, like for me anyway, like
146
00:07:52,698 --> 00:07:55,878
memories, you know, it's, that's when I
look at, we'll look at your paintings.
147
00:07:55,878 --> 00:07:57,828
Like, it just conjures up a memory.
148
00:07:58,198 --> 00:08:01,348
So it's that real kind of, you
know, visualization of something
149
00:08:01,348 --> 00:08:02,698
that's maybe deep inside of us.
150
00:08:02,758 --> 00:08:05,668
That's the way, that's what I see
when I see whenever paintings.
151
00:08:05,878 --> 00:08:06,358
Oh, thank you.
152
00:08:06,988 --> 00:08:08,158
I paint my memories.
153
00:08:08,278 --> 00:08:10,168
And others resonate with those memories.
154
00:08:10,168 --> 00:08:10,228
Yeah.
155
00:08:10,228 --> 00:08:15,798
Because we're traversing through the same
places and the same chapters in our lives.
156
00:08:15,948 --> 00:08:16,008
Yeah.
157
00:08:16,008 --> 00:08:20,838
And when we see a mom playing with
kitties on the beach, or we see
158
00:08:20,838 --> 00:08:24,589
a beautiful town that we've grown
up with, it resonates with us.
159
00:08:24,594 --> 00:08:24,773
Yeah.
160
00:08:24,948 --> 00:08:25,878
And that's what it is.
161
00:08:25,878 --> 00:08:27,498
It's a lot of it is nostalgia.
162
00:08:27,963 --> 00:08:30,843
And if I paint the things that
make me happy, it very often
163
00:08:30,843 --> 00:08:32,163
resonates with someone else.
164
00:08:32,253 --> 00:08:32,883
Absolutely.
165
00:08:33,543 --> 00:08:37,893
And your journey involved, as you said,
immigrating from South Africa to Ireland.
166
00:08:38,373 --> 00:08:41,583
Did that experience of profound
change influence your art?
167
00:08:42,633 --> 00:08:47,133
Well, it certainly has changed the
content of my art and the subject matter.
168
00:08:48,093 --> 00:08:51,423
There are a lot more people
wearing jackets on beaches
169
00:08:53,493 --> 00:08:54,423
than there ever were.
170
00:08:54,423 --> 00:08:57,753
In fact, I don't think I ever painted
a painting of anyone wearing a jacket.
171
00:08:57,808 --> 00:08:57,928
Yeah.
172
00:08:57,928 --> 00:09:01,013
Let load a scarf or a
beanie on a beach in Durban.
173
00:09:01,523 --> 00:09:04,463
But yeah, that certainly
has changed what I do.
174
00:09:04,463 --> 00:09:09,023
It's a different, more
rugged wilder landscape.
175
00:09:09,103 --> 00:09:13,213
So I've really focused quite
specifically on refining my process.
176
00:09:13,213 --> 00:09:17,293
So I use a process where I run
alcohol, ink down on the canvas,
177
00:09:17,293 --> 00:09:22,753
the raw canvas, and then I use a, an
acrylic wash as a background to it.
178
00:09:22,903 --> 00:09:26,683
So I've played quite a bit more
with that because the weather is a
179
00:09:26,683 --> 00:09:28,533
little, dare we say unpredictable.
180
00:09:29,313 --> 00:09:31,083
It's quite often a little drizzly.
181
00:09:31,153 --> 00:09:31,963
And a little cold.
182
00:09:32,053 --> 00:09:36,403
But I do run around and take lots
of photos when the blue sky is out.
183
00:09:36,523 --> 00:09:42,193
But these alcohol runs kind of give
a little bit of the rainy background
184
00:09:42,193 --> 00:09:45,853
and a little bit of that shimmer and
that glisten even the sunny days.
185
00:09:45,868 --> 00:09:46,588
Absolutely.
186
00:09:47,038 --> 00:09:51,178
And you went from being self-employed
in South Africa to employed in Ireland
187
00:09:51,508 --> 00:09:52,888
and back to being self-employed.
188
00:09:53,338 --> 00:09:55,978
What was the biggest lesson
learned, navigating those
189
00:09:55,978 --> 00:09:57,448
transitions in a new country?
190
00:09:58,438 --> 00:10:01,708
It's not easy to immigrate in
your fifties, but specifically
191
00:10:01,708 --> 00:10:04,708
for us, you know, we had been
our own bosses for 20 years.
192
00:10:04,948 --> 00:10:08,128
We had worked in both corporate
and consulting before that, so,
193
00:10:08,188 --> 00:10:11,758
you know, we've worked for bosses,
but being the bosses ourselves and
194
00:10:11,758 --> 00:10:16,528
having a big team of 15 staff and I
trained over 60 international hotel
195
00:10:16,528 --> 00:10:18,028
school students in our premises.
196
00:10:18,628 --> 00:10:21,328
It is a big transition to
go back to being employed.
197
00:10:21,408 --> 00:10:26,628
Practically, it made a lot of sense
to go back to formal employment while
198
00:10:26,628 --> 00:10:32,988
we found our feet, while we settled,
while we navigated the new landscape.
199
00:10:33,318 --> 00:10:33,708
Absolutely.
200
00:10:33,828 --> 00:10:34,128
Yeah.
201
00:10:34,368 --> 00:10:37,808
And while we grew you know,
a base of people to know
202
00:10:37,808 --> 00:10:39,683
and a network to be part of.
203
00:10:40,043 --> 00:10:43,223
If you trying to create a sense
of community, being part of that
204
00:10:43,223 --> 00:10:46,413
community in a workplace is a
very practical way of doing it.
205
00:10:46,513 --> 00:10:47,773
I love hospitality.
206
00:10:47,833 --> 00:10:49,993
And for me, it was a natural fit.
207
00:10:50,323 --> 00:10:54,703
I had never worked in a hotel before
despite having a small hotel ourselves.
208
00:10:54,803 --> 00:10:56,963
But I hadn't worked formally
in the hotel sector.
209
00:10:56,963 --> 00:10:58,553
So that was a big learning curve.
210
00:10:59,093 --> 00:11:02,153
And while I'd worked as a learning
and development manager, I hadn't
211
00:11:02,153 --> 00:11:03,563
worked as an HR manager before.
212
00:11:03,613 --> 00:11:05,113
Especially not in, in Ireland.
213
00:11:05,743 --> 00:11:10,403
So that involved a quick employment law
course with Core ETB at a level six.
214
00:11:10,523 --> 00:11:10,583
Yeah.
215
00:11:10,583 --> 00:11:14,263
And you know, so there's been a lot of
learning and that has been extremely
216
00:11:14,473 --> 00:11:18,373
interesting, especially now coming
from Africa into an EU country.
217
00:11:18,793 --> 00:11:21,133
So yeah, I believe in lifelong learning.
218
00:11:21,583 --> 00:11:26,953
I think it's important to constantly
learn new things and to grow.
219
00:11:27,163 --> 00:11:29,233
So that was an incredibly
useful journey and.
220
00:11:29,668 --> 00:11:33,478
I
loved being part of the hotel and I
loved working with all the different
221
00:11:33,478 --> 00:11:37,408
nationalities, and I loved watching
people grow and develop, and whether
222
00:11:37,408 --> 00:11:42,778
that be through art classes that I
run, or courses I teach, or whatever
223
00:11:42,778 --> 00:11:46,228
it is I love watching people in that
journey and being part of their journey.
224
00:11:46,258 --> 00:11:46,288
Okay.
225
00:11:46,498 --> 00:11:46,828
Okay.
226
00:11:48,148 --> 00:11:52,028
And your first solo show book ended
the Pandemic and your emmigration.
227
00:11:52,048 --> 00:11:55,168
So Durban 2020 and Cork 2024.
228
00:11:55,588 --> 00:11:59,308
How did these two exhibitions
differ in feeling or focus for you?
229
00:12:00,778 --> 00:12:05,158
The first one, we didn't know the pandemic
was going to result in what it did.
230
00:12:05,208 --> 00:12:09,828
So it was a joyous celebration
of the art and of me.
231
00:12:09,878 --> 00:12:11,258
Which was amazing.
232
00:12:11,378 --> 00:12:13,568
It was just before my 50th birthday.
233
00:12:13,648 --> 00:12:16,108
Little did I know there
would be no 50th birthday.
234
00:12:16,198 --> 00:12:19,588
It just me, my husband, the two
kids and the two dogs, literally.
235
00:12:19,648 --> 00:12:21,428
Oh, course with a camera on a timer.
236
00:12:21,518 --> 00:12:21,968
Yeah.
237
00:12:22,358 --> 00:12:26,258
So that became my 50th
birthday in retrospect.
238
00:12:26,348 --> 00:12:31,388
And it was just a wonderful celebration
and just so much support and love
239
00:12:31,388 --> 00:12:33,288
from the people I know and care about.
240
00:12:33,798 --> 00:12:35,448
And then when we came here.
241
00:12:36,708 --> 00:12:39,798
You know, we'd gone through this
really traumatic journey and, you
242
00:12:39,798 --> 00:12:45,018
know, the whole pandemic was horrific
and the immigration was hard.
243
00:12:45,018 --> 00:12:48,018
And I came ahead of my husband and
then there were riots in Durban
244
00:12:48,018 --> 00:12:51,378
of July 21, which caused the
sale of our main B&B to collapse.
245
00:12:51,798 --> 00:12:53,718
And husband was there and we were here.
246
00:12:53,718 --> 00:12:54,618
And it was tricky.
247
00:12:55,218 --> 00:12:59,058
So by the time April, 2024
came, you know, nearly four
248
00:12:59,058 --> 00:13:01,668
years later, a lot had happened.
249
00:13:01,998 --> 00:13:04,128
And now we had.
250
00:13:04,683 --> 00:13:09,063
In large part, set ourselves
up for recovery and sustainable
251
00:13:09,063 --> 00:13:10,593
recovery on top of that.
252
00:13:11,133 --> 00:13:15,513
So by the time that exhibition happened
and there were more than 70 people in
253
00:13:15,513 --> 00:13:21,223
the room, in this beautiful venue in
Wellington Street, in co city, you know,
254
00:13:21,223 --> 00:13:22,993
you look around the room and you go, wow.
255
00:13:22,993 --> 00:13:25,603
When I arrived in Ireland,
I knew one person.
256
00:13:25,963 --> 00:13:29,503
One person who I met in 1989
when I came to visit my aunt.
257
00:13:29,503 --> 00:13:30,058
You know my cousin?
258
00:13:30,088 --> 00:13:30,378
Yeah.
259
00:13:30,793 --> 00:13:34,153
And then you look around that room
and that one person was in the room.
260
00:13:34,158 --> 00:13:34,378
Yeah.
261
00:13:34,693 --> 00:13:38,353
And nearly 70 other people were
there too, from all different parts.
262
00:13:38,713 --> 00:13:43,273
There was a test to me that I had
forged community and I had built
263
00:13:43,273 --> 00:13:48,283
networks and I, I had, I. Made a
difference in terms of what I had done.
264
00:13:48,283 --> 00:13:51,763
That enough people were there to
support me and my journey again.
265
00:13:51,843 --> 00:13:54,663
And find my art is a
lovely way to support me.
266
00:13:54,668 --> 00:13:54,898
Yeah.
267
00:13:55,113 --> 00:13:58,023
And it was just, it was a really
special, a special evening.
268
00:13:58,023 --> 00:13:58,233
Yeah.
269
00:13:58,443 --> 00:13:59,583
You must have felt so proud.
270
00:13:59,678 --> 00:14:00,058
Did you?
271
00:14:00,158 --> 00:14:00,658
At that moment?
272
00:14:01,258 --> 00:14:01,788
I. Proud
273
00:14:01,788 --> 00:14:02,448
and terrified.
274
00:14:02,508 --> 00:14:02,568
Yeah.
275
00:14:02,568 --> 00:14:03,798
Because I just left my job.
276
00:14:05,738 --> 00:14:08,138
So people use the word
brave a lot with me.
277
00:14:08,143 --> 00:14:08,413
Yeah.
278
00:14:08,463 --> 00:14:09,093
Brave.
279
00:14:09,123 --> 00:14:13,233
Brave and starting things
again and trying new things.
280
00:14:13,233 --> 00:14:13,293
Yeah.
281
00:14:13,323 --> 00:14:14,283
Go hand in hand.
282
00:14:14,703 --> 00:14:18,153
But I think it's an important
lesson that if you're going to do
283
00:14:18,153 --> 00:14:19,653
something that you really believe in.
284
00:14:20,343 --> 00:14:22,083
Then it's worth taking the risk.
285
00:14:22,163 --> 00:14:23,963
So long as it's a good calculated risk.
286
00:14:23,963 --> 00:14:26,993
I mean, if I was a horrific artist
and I was really bad at, you
287
00:14:26,993 --> 00:14:30,713
know, business, it would be a, it
would be a really foolish idea.
288
00:14:30,713 --> 00:14:35,243
But if it was a calculated risk and
one that's going to take time to fully.
289
00:14:35,993 --> 00:14:37,343
Its strengthen its roots.
290
00:14:37,443 --> 00:14:40,773
But the seeds have all been planted,
and I'm starting to reap the rewards
291
00:14:40,773 --> 00:14:42,483
of that now, which is really exciting.
292
00:14:42,573 --> 00:14:42,993
Very good.
293
00:14:43,713 --> 00:14:47,943
And talking about planting seeds,
you've rapidly built relationships
294
00:14:47,943 --> 00:14:50,223
with galleries and venues across Cork.
295
00:14:50,673 --> 00:14:53,493
What's your approach to
forging these partnerships?
296
00:14:54,663 --> 00:14:57,813
I think a large part because I
have this learning and development,
297
00:14:57,813 --> 00:15:00,093
HR and hospitality background.
298
00:15:00,243
--> 00:15:02,433
And because I'm naturally an extrovert.
299
00:15:03,063 --> 00:15:04,593
I'm not scared to talk to people.
300
00:15:04,648 --> 00:15:06,118
I love talking to people.
301
00:15:06,508 --> 00:15:11,128
I feed off the energy of other
people and other groups and
302
00:15:11,158 --> 00:15:16,498
I think there's no shyness in
talking to people about what I do.
303
00:15:16,828 --> 00:15:20,788
I have absolutely no problems
with self-promotion, which may
304
00:15:20,788 --> 00:15:24,688
well be why I'm sitting on a core
creative podcast as we speak.
305
00:15:24,688 --> 00:15:24,988
Yeah.
306
00:15:24,993 --> 00:15:25,003
Yeah.
307
00:15:25,418 --> 00:15:30,518
I love the idea of inspiring
and empowering other people.
308
00:15:31,253 --> 00:15:36,743
And people often comment when they
meet me and they hear what I've done
309
00:15:37,193 --> 00:15:40,163
and what we've done specifically
over the last five, six years.
310
00:15:40,283 --> 00:15:41,873
They say it's inspirational.
311
00:15:41,973 --> 00:15:46,833
And if I can be inspirational to
somebody else who may then take the
312
00:15:46,833 --> 00:15:49,053
chance to believe in themselves as well.
313
00:15:49,593 --> 00:15:50,193
Fantastic.
314
00:15:50,273 --> 00:15:53,243
So, yeah, getting back to the
galleries and the venues, a large
315
00:15:53,243 --> 00:15:55,283
part of it is just being open to it.
316
00:15:55,383 --> 00:15:56,313
Opportunity.
317
00:15:56,823 --> 00:15:58,323
And preparation equal luck.
318
00:15:58,513 --> 00:16:02,533
People say I'm very lucky, but I'm
prepared and I'm constantly scanning
319
00:16:02,533 --> 00:16:04,393
the environment for what's available.
320
00:16:04,393 --> 00:16:08,283
I look at open calls, I
look at new venues opening.
321
00:16:08,373 --> 00:16:12,093
I look at established venues that I'd
like to be in, and I make sure that I
322
00:16:12,093 --> 00:16:17,673
meet the people behind those places so
that I can build relationships with them.
323
00:16:18,063 --> 00:16:22,173
Not necessarily for immediate
gain for either of us, but
324
00:16:22,233 --> 00:16:23,553
just to build relationships.
325
00:16:23,553 --> 00:16:25,953
And over time those
relationships start maturing.
326
00:16:26,223 --> 00:16:26,463
Okay.
327
00:16:26,763 --> 00:16:27,033
Okay.
328
00:16:27,873 --> 00:16:32,493
And in terms of networking,
how vital is finding your tribe
329
00:16:32,493 --> 00:16:33,753
for a creative entrepreneur?
330
00:16:34,923 --> 00:16:41,823
I think a lot of artists and
creatives tend to create alone.
331
00:16:42,303 --> 00:16:44,433
They tend to be alone in the studio.
332
00:16:44,623 --> 00:16:45,133
Which.
333
00:16:45,703 --> 00:16:50,983
It's often a very productive way of
producing work and being creative,
334
00:16:51,313 --> 00:16:54,043
but that aloneness is lonely.
335
00:16:54,143 --> 00:16:55,223
And isolating.
336
00:16:55,613 --> 00:17:00,053
And once that work is created, many
creatives don't know what to do
with it.
337
00:17:00,153 --> 00:17:06,468
So I think belonging to networks,
belonging to groups allows you to get
338
00:17:06,468 --> 00:17:08,733
outside your comfort zone of the studio.
339
00:17:09,408 --> 00:17:13,938
And allows you to find a way
to navigate your community,
340
00:17:13,938 --> 00:17:15,498
especially your creative community.
341
00:17:15,708 --> 00:17:19,128
And then find ways to bridge the
gap back to the main community to
342
00:17:19,128 --> 00:17:20,748
get your work out into the public.
343
00:17:20,848 --> 00:17:22,093
And I think that's really important.
344
00:17:22,963 --> 00:17:26,233
It's not just about creative
communities and creative networks.
345
00:17:26,233 --> 00:17:30,343
I really believe in networking with
other, especially business women.
346
00:17:30,443 --> 00:17:33,053
And it is especially important for me.
347
00:17:33,053 --> 00:17:35,273
It was something I did in
South Africa for a long time.
348
00:17:35,603 --> 00:17:37,193
So I belong to network co care.
349
00:17:37,243 --> 00:17:40,633
And I really believe in the
support and encouragement that
350
00:17:40,633 --> 00:17:41,948
comes from groups like that.
351
00:17:42,568 --> 00:17:46,438
And it allows people to be more brave.
352
00:17:46,518 --> 00:17:48,618
And if you can't be brave,
pretend to be Exactly.
353
00:17:48,618 --> 00:17:52,758
Because nobody can tell the difference,
but it does put you in the right direction
354
00:17:52,758 --> 00:17:54,408
and it's progress, not perfection.
355
00:17:54,438 --> 00:17:55,248
Yeah, absolutely.
356
00:17:55,518 --> 00:17:56,058
Absolutely.
357
00:17:56,508 --> 00:18:00,318
So balancing creativity with the
business side can be challenging.
358
00:18:00,378 --> 00:18:02,688
How do you manage both these aspects?
359
00:18:04,098 --> 00:18:06,438
I'm a little bit of a unicorn
when it comes to that.
360
00:18:06,438 --> 00:18:07,938
So I love business.
361
00:18:08,038 --> 00:18:10,918
And I love the business side of.
362
00:18:11,323 --> 00:18:13,333
Building relationships with suppliers.
363
00:18:13,873 --> 00:18:16,573
I'm particularly good
at forging partnerships.
364
00:18:17,203 --> 00:18:20,893
I get the importance
of keeping good books.
365
00:18:20,993 --> 00:18:24,473
I know exactly how many
paintings I've painted.
366
00:18:24,773 --> 00:18:26,303
I'm on 219.
367
00:18:26,303 --> 00:18:27,503
Currently it's in the boot.
368
00:18:28,133 --> 00:18:30,233
I'm delivering it with
a client this afternoon.
369
00:18:30,233 --> 00:18:32,063
It's a commission for a 50th birthday.
370
00:18:32,438 --> 00:18:34,388
So I know what I've spent.
371
00:18:34,508 --> 00:18:35,678
I know what I've made.
372
00:18:35,798 --> 00:18:37,868
I know how many paintings I've sold.
373
00:18:37,958 --> 00:18:40,658
I know how many I've donated to charities.
374
00:18:40,658 --> 00:18:41,798
I know everything.
375
00:18:42,158 --> 00:18:44,318
I have kept historical data.
376
00:18:44,398 --> 00:18:49,228
I think that the business side is
important, and I think many artists
377
00:18:49,288 --> 00:18:50,968
are scared of the business side.
378
00:18:51,048 --> 00:18:53,178
And it doesn't need to be scary at all.
379
00:18:53,228 --> 00:18:55,808
I'm currently doing the Art of
Business and Business of Art
380
00:18:55,958 --> 00:18:57,398
course with future Kinsale.
381
00:18:58,343 --> 00:19:02,003
Not so much for the business side,
although I have found that useful, but
382
00:19:02,003 --> 00:19:06,683
for the networking side and finding
other creatives who are in their own
383
00:19:06,683 --> 00:19:11,813
businesses that we can support each
other, and that's extremely important
384
00:19:11,933 --> 00:19:14,393
to be able to find that tribe.
385
00:19:14,453 --> 00:19:15,743
Wherever you can find it.
386
00:19:15,743 --> 00:19:20,123
Because when it comes to opening
exhibitions and looking out to
387
00:19:20,123 --> 00:19:23,483
that, see your faces, you want to
see faces that you know and who
388
00:19:23,483 --> 00:19:24,803
are there because they support you.
389
00:19:25,373 --> 00:19:30,053
And so do you think that like your past
experience in say work has helped you?
390
00:19:30,713 --> 00:19:31,253
Absolutely.
391
00:19:31,643 --> 00:19:35,993
I think it's a little
unfamiliar to the RT scene here.
392
00:19:36,043 --> 00:19:42,253
It's unusual to have an oil painter
who's not shy at all to show off.
393
00:19:42,493 --> 00:19:42,943
Yeah.
394
00:19:43,318 --> 00:19:45,898
You know, I might have
notions as it's called here.
395
00:19:46,233 --> 00:19:46,793
I don't know.
396
00:19:48,008 --> 00:19:51,392
But I think what's the point of my
art if it's sitting in my house?
397
00:19:51,962 --> 00:19:52,232
Absolutely.
398
00:19:52,237 --> 00:19:52,337
Yeah.
399
00:19:52,337 --> 00:19:52,777
You know, I love it.
400
00:19:52,892 --> 00:19:55,352
But other people love it
too, so why not show it?
401
00:19:55,382 --> 00:19:56,162
Yeah, exactly.
402
00:19:56,222 --> 00:20:01,052
And if that can go forth and multiply
and become a piece of beautiful art
403
00:20:01,052 --> 00:20:02,852
in someone's home or office, why not?
404
00:20:03,242 --> 00:20:03,842
Absolutely.
405
00:20:03,992 --> 00:20:04,832
But where am I going to
406
00:20:04,832 --> 00:20:05,762
put all of them anyway?
407
00:20:05,762 --> 00:20:06,422
I'm way too
408
00:20:06,422 --> 00:20:06,692
prolific.
409
00:20:08,462 --> 00:20:11,732
And drawing on your experience,
establishing yourself as
410
00:20:11,732 --> 00:20:12,842
an artist here in Cork.
411
00:20:13,187 --> 00:20:16,757
What's your view on the supports
currently available in Ireland to
412
00:20:16,757 --> 00:20:18,767
help artists sustain their practice?
413
00:20:20,027 --> 00:20:24,587
There are many funding
opportunities that are available
414
00:20:24,587 --> 00:20:26,477
through different organizations.
415
00:20:26,557 --> 00:20:30,877
They are, I think the term
they use is highly competitive.
416
00:20:30,977 --> 00:20:36,017
Which, as I understand it, is code
for, you have probably maybe a one
417
00:20:36,017 --> 00:20:38,087
in five chance of getting this award.
418
00:20:38,187 --> 00:20:40,947
There's been a significant
increase in applications.
419
00:20:40,947 --> 00:20:44,247
The demand is just far
exceeding what is available.
420
00:20:44,457 --> 00:20:48,537
To the extent that I applied for the
bursary award with the Arts Council
421
00:20:48,537 --> 00:20:52,467
earlier this year for the little
artist section, and they've already
422
00:20:52,467 --> 00:20:56,487
come back to saying that they have
had a 54% increase year on year.
423
00:20:56,487 --> 00:20:56,967
Gosh.
424
00:20:57,027 --> 00:20:57,087
Yeah.
425
00:20:57,087 --> 00:20:57,837
In applications.
426
00:20:57,917 --> 00:20:59,927
And we see it, you know,
on all the funding.
427
00:21:00,947 --> 00:21:02,777
So I think many people.
428
00:21:03,452 --> 00:21:05,822
Would like that funding,
but it's not that available.
429
00:21:05,852 --> 00:21:10,712
And it's difficult if you're not claiming
any kind of benefits or on the register
430
00:21:10,742 --> 00:21:14,882
and you're trying to make a go of it
without being dependent on the state.
431
00:21:14,882 --> 00:21:15,482
It's tricky.
432
00:21:15,582 --> 00:21:18,612
It is hard and you do need
multiple income streams.
433
00:21:18,612 --> 00:21:19,512
It just is what it is.
434
00:21:19,512 --> 00:21:19,842
Yeah.
435
00:21:20,562 --> 00:21:25,032
I think many of us are looking for
ways to collaborate with others.
436
00:21:25,032 --> 00:21:27,702
So I recently joined
the Westcorp Collective.
437
00:21:27,802 --> 00:21:33,532
Which is in balance bittel, and we
have 17 retail artists and makers who
438
00:21:33,562 --> 00:21:35,242
share in the collective rent there.
439
00:21:35,632 --> 00:21:40,972
We have an artist base with associates
members and more and more I'm hearing
440
00:21:41,002 --> 00:21:43,462
of artists saying, we need space.
441
00:21:43,497 --> 00:21:43,617
Absolutely.
442
00:21:43,672 --> 00:21:45,112
We need somewhere to paint.
443
00:21:45,112 --> 00:21:46,612
We need studio space.
444
00:21:47,257 --> 00:21:51,297
I hear it from the likes of
the people in Creative Bandon.
445
00:21:51,717 --> 00:21:55,437
Everywhere I go in Kinsale, when I meet
up with the artists on Kinsale Arts
446
00:21:55,437 --> 00:21:58,257
Weekend, it's exactly the same thing.
447
00:21:58,467 --> 00:22:05,637
We need studio space and I think there's
a real call for specifically here in
448
00:22:05,667 --> 00:22:10,647
sort of West Cork, specifically in the
Kinsale Bandon area, that if there's a
449
00:22:10,647 --> 00:22:15,447
patron out there that is keen to sponsor
some space, we are so desperate to put.
450
00:22:15,897 --> 00:22:21,852
A group of professional visual artists
together to have a practicing art studio.
451
00:22:21,912 --> 00:22:24,702
So that, that I think
would be on the wishlist.
452
00:22:24,872 --> 00:22:28,592
And I think with, you know, my
business background, I'd be very
453
00:22:28,592 --> 00:22:30,482
happy to run it and coordinate it.
454
00:22:30,482 --> 00:22:30,483
Yeah.
455
00:22:30,602 --> 00:22:36,612
And to get a space where we could all
create and run workshops and be able to
456
00:22:36,612 --> 00:22:41,442
encourage people to be creative and to
support their creative arts practices.
457
00:22:41,802 --> 00:22:45,792
I know when we recently had a podcast
with Clonakilty Community Art Center.
458
00:22:45,972 --> 00:22:46,152
Yes.
459
00:22:46,152 --> 00:22:48,162
And they were spoke about that.
460
00:22:48,162 --> 00:22:52,422
About that need to have a studio
space and how important it is.
461
00:22:53,157 --> 00:22:56,547
For other artists to connect with
each other and for their art.
462
00:22:56,547 --> 00:23:00,447
To be able to have a space that's
can be displayed in a space and
463
00:23:00,447 --> 00:23:04,857
the importance for the local
community to have that in the areas.
464
00:23:04,888 --> 00:23:06,087
It's so important.
465
00:23:06,327 --> 00:23:10,587
So I can understand why Kinsale or Bandon,
they could also do with a space like that
466
00:23:10,587 --> 00:23:14,672
because the one in Clonakilty is at threat
now because the premise is up for sale.
467
00:23:14,672 --> 00:23:17,612
So they're in that very vulnerable state.
468
00:23:18,002 --> 00:23:19,442
So, and I listened to the podcast.
469
00:23:19,442 --> 00:23:21,602
I heard it, and we all resonate with it.
470
00:23:21,702 --> 00:23:25,422
So yes, we, you know, I'm a member
of Sample Studios and that's in
471
00:23:25,422 --> 00:23:29,112
the city, but specifically in
Kinsale/Bandon, there's nothing
472
00:23:29,142 --> 00:23:30,732
and there's a constant call for it.
473
00:23:31,377 --> 00:23:32,877
And it, it's a challenge.
474
00:23:32,907 --> 00:23:35,877
And unfortunately, artists
are notoriously poor.
475
00:23:36,207 --> 00:23:39,412
There is a perception that
original artists is too expensive
476
00:23:39,412 --> 00:23:40,822
and people want to buy prints.
477
00:23:41,012 --> 00:23:43,472
It isn't necessarily that expensive.
478
00:23:43,472 --> 00:23:46,532
If you're buying direct from
the artist or you're using local
479
00:23:46,532 --> 00:23:48,482
galleries that support local artists.
480
00:23:48,752 --> 00:23:50,552
There's no reason it
shouldn't be affordable.
481
00:23:50,702 --> 00:23:54,482
And the reality is, if there is that
collective space, it builds that sense
482
00:23:54,482 --> 00:23:59,372
of community and it builds that sense of
entrepreneurship and allows people to.
483
00:24:00,152 --> 00:24:03,452
Develop skills within the
group from each other.
484
00:24:03,542 --> 00:24:07,172
So if I'm really good at
business and entrepreneurship.
485
00:24:07,652 --> 00:24:12,062
You're really good at digital skills
and she's really good at teaching.
486
00:24:12,512 --> 00:24:16,352
We can collectively grow our
skills
in a synergistic way.
487
00:24:16,742 --> 00:24:21,962
And do you think local communities need
to get more supportive of local artists,
488
00:24:21,962 --> 00:24:24,152
maybe buying more local artists work?
489
00:24:24,512 --> 00:24:26,187
Is that kind of an important part of it?
490
00:24:27,187 --> 00:24:27,387
Absolutely.
491
00:24:27,437 --> 00:24:27,657
So.
492
00:24:28,332 --> 00:24:32,022
If you have a choice between
buying a piece of mass produced
493
00:24:32,022 --> 00:24:37,512
art versus buying a piece of art
that a local artist has painted
494
00:24:37,512 --> 00:24:39,852
here in Ireland, why would you not?
495
00:24:39,877 --> 00:24:42,427
If you can't afford a
big one, buy a small one.
496
00:24:42,427 --> 00:24:42,877
Yeah.
497
00:24:43,747 --> 00:24:43,749
If you.
498
00:24:44,147 --> 00:24:48,077
And many artists are very
open to doing commissions.
499
00:24:48,137 --> 00:24:51,887
They're open to coming to your
I, I come to people's homes.
500
00:24:51,887 --> 00:24:55,817
I come and consult with them
on size, on the type of shape,
501
00:24:55,817 --> 00:24:57,347
whether it's portrait or landscape.
502
00:24:57,947 --> 00:25:01,637
I advise people what's going to look
best, so they get something really
503
00:25:01,637 --> 00:25:04,487
bespoke individual and unique to them.
504
00:25:04,567 --> 00:25:05,827
And to their environment.
505
00:25:06,322 --> 00:25:10,402
And it means so much more because
they've journeyed with you, the artist.
506
00:25:10,502 --> 00:25:12,032
And there's a story behind it.
507
00:25:12,092 --> 00:25:12,422
Yeah.
508
00:25:12,662 --> 00:25:15,872
And people most certainly
do buy into stories.
509
00:25:16,112 --> 00:25:20,222
If people meet me and we get
chatting and they hear a little bit
510
00:25:20,222 --> 00:25:22,022
about the story, it intrigues them.
511
00:25:22,022 --> 00:25:26,237
They're like, what's with this 55-year-old
woman who's now gone out on her own?
512
00:25:26,402 --> 00:25:26,552
And.
513
00:25:26,897 --> 00:25:29,117
And has, you know, left
her job to do this.
514
00:25:29,117 --> 00:25:30,257
You know, that's, wow.
515
00:25:30,287 --> 00:25:30,737
Okay.
516
00:25:30,737 --> 00:25:31,637
Let's listen a bit more.
517
00:25:31,907 --> 00:25:36,917
And if you buy into that art, you're
supporting that person and their journey.
518
00:25:37,192 --> 00:25:41,957
I. And that in itself inspires somebody
else potentially to take that journey.
519
00:25:42,047 --> 00:25:45,407
Or even the people who are buying the
art might say, well, you know what?
520
00:25:45,407 --> 00:25:48,737
You started an oil painting
for beginner's class at 46.
521
00:25:49,097 --> 00:25:50,627
Maybe I could do that too.
522
00:25:50,687 --> 00:25:50,957
Yeah.
523
00:25:51,077 --> 00:25:53,177
Now that's not a punch
for my art classes at all.
524
00:25:54,992 --> 00:25:56,327
But you know what it does?
525
00:25:56,327 --> 00:25:58,217
It's just, it becomes self-feeding.
526
00:25:58,217 --> 00:25:58,277
Yeah.
527
00:25:58,517 --> 00:26:00,887
And people get inspired by the process.
528
00:26:00,887 --> 00:26:02,567
They get inspired by the journey.
529
00:26:02,867 --> 00:26:04,217
They wanna be part of the journey.
530
00:26:04,217 --> 00:26:07,607
They wanna be part of my
story, and by me being in their
531
00:26:07,607 --> 00:26:09,527
homes, I become part of theirs.
532
00:26:09,977 --> 00:26:13,307
Some of my collectors have
got nine, 10 pieces already.
533
00:26:13,337 --> 00:26:13,637
Yeah.
534
00:26:13,637 --> 00:26:13,907
Yeah.
535
00:26:13,907 --> 00:26:14,592
It's just it's
536
00:26:14,592 --> 00:26:15,132
amazing.
537
00:26:15,342 --> 00:26:15,612
It's great.
538
00:26:15,612 --> 00:26:16,062
Amazing.
539
00:26:16,092 --> 00:26:16,932
Yeah, absolutely.
540
00:26:17,352 --> 00:26:22,152
And alongside your busy arc career,
you also serve on the board of EIL
541
00:26:22,212 --> 00:26:26,112
Intercultural Learning and a tutor
for Cork Education and Training Board.
542
00:26:26,532 --> 00:26:30,162
What drives this commitment to volunteer
work and community involvement?
543
00:26:31,397 --> 00:26:31,752
So there's
544
00:26:31,842 --> 00:26:32,142
two
545
00:26:32,142 --> 00:26:32,442
key
546
00:26:32,442 --> 00:26:33,432
elements to that.
547
00:26:33,462 --> 00:26:35,382
The one is civic responsibility.
548
00:26:35,482 --> 00:26:41,092
I think we all have a role to be
part of making our community better.
549
00:26:41,192 --> 00:26:45,232
Now, EIL Intercultural learning has
a partnership with a group called
550
00:26:45,232 --> 00:26:50,947
AFS and I was an AFS Exchange student
as an 18, 19-year-old from infant
551
00:26:51,047 --> 00:26:52,587
in South Africa to Luxembourg.
552
00:26:53,392 --> 00:26:57,172
And it took them 35 years
to hunt me down and find me.
553
00:26:58,592 --> 00:27:03,212
I found out about EIL, Ireland by accident
in Basel, in Switzerland of all places.
554
00:27:03,212 --> 00:27:03,272
Yeah.
555
00:27:04,037 --> 00:27:07,067
I approached them to see if they would
be interested in me volunteering and
556
00:27:07,077 --> 00:27:08,517
they were looking for board directors.
557
00:27:08,667 --> 00:27:12,477
And the other common element
linked to civic responsibility
558
00:27:12,477 --> 00:27:14,367
is my belief in leadership.
559
00:27:14,487 --> 00:27:16,347
And enhancing leadership skills.
560
00:27:16,347 --> 00:27:20,877
So when I was working with Deloitte
many years ago, I was a master trainer
561
00:27:20,937 --> 00:27:23,187
dealing in leadership skills specifically.
562
00:27:23,287 --> 00:27:28,387
So my role as a board director
is a leadership role linked to
563
00:27:28,387 --> 00:27:30,397
my community responsibility.
564
00:27:30,937 --> 00:27:36,037
And my role at Cork ETBI work on
the Skills to Advance program.
565
00:27:36,037 --> 00:27:38,772
So that is specifically
growing leadership skills.
566
00:27:38,772 --> 00:27:42,972
I've just completed a program that was
designed for the
hospitality sector.
567
00:27:43,332 --> 00:27:47,052
So after 23 years of working
in hospitality, I feel I have a
568
00:27:47,052 --> 00:27:51,402
responsibility to help grow the next
round of leaders in the industry.
569
00:27:52,032 --> 00:27:55,002
And whether that's
growing leadership skills.
570
00:27:55,407 --> 00:28:00,747
In social enterprise, like EIL,
intercultural learning, or on a
571
00:28:00,747 --> 00:28:05,127
public workshop for cork, ETB,
it's growing people skills.
572
00:28:05,227 --> 00:28:10,027
And inherently, that's
what we all are working on.
573
00:28:10,657 --> 00:28:12,517
Our art speaks to other people.
574
00:28:12,937 --> 00:28:17,827
It communicates a message and it
gives a sense of purpose and a
575
00:28:17,827 --> 00:28:19,747
sense of meaning to people's lives.
576
00:28:20,227 --> 00:28:23,947
And if you can be part of
people's journey in all of that.
577
00:28:24,892 --> 00:28:25,762
What a trifecta.
578
00:28:25,972 --> 00:28:26,632
Exactly.
579
00:28:26,682 --> 00:28:26,962
Yeah.
580
00:28:28,067 --> 00:28:30,947
Looking back at your journey,
what's the core drive that
581
00:28:30,947 --> 00:28:32,657
keeps you creating and evolving
582
00:28:34,157 --> 00:28:34,847
to this day?
583
00:28:34,847 --> 00:28:38,537
I look at these paintings at the end
and I go, I can't believe I can do that.
584
00:28:38,687 --> 00:28:39,257
It's great.
585
00:28:39,707 --> 00:28:39,857
So cool.
586
00:28:39,857 --> 00:28:42,527
Like, what did I even figure this out?
587
00:28:42,557 --> 00:28:43,037
Yeah.
588
00:28:43,697 --> 00:28:46,697
So in, in 2009, I picked
up some paint brushes.
589
00:28:46,697 --> 00:28:47,717
It was so bad.
590
00:28:47,747 --> 00:28:51,882
It was really just, I looked, I
can't believe that it was really bad.
591
00:28:52,027 --> 00:28:52,777
It was so bad.
592
00:28:52,777 --> 00:28:55,417
I put the paint brushes down and
started karate with my kids and
593
00:28:55,417 --> 00:28:56,767
did that for the next eight years.
594
00:28:57,307 --> 00:29:00,247
But I just, you know,
it's a learned skill.
595
00:29:00,302 --> 00:29:04,472
And if you learn how to do oil
painting, you know the rules.
596
00:29:04,572 --> 00:29:09,132
And while I'm an extrovert type of person.
597
00:29:09,552 --> 00:29:16,662
I do believe that society and life and
relationships and art all have rules.
598
00:29:16,782 --> 00:29:20,442
Once you know what the rules are, you
can color within the lines or without
599
00:29:20,442 --> 00:29:24,612
the lines, or go over the lines or
make new lines, break the rules.
600
00:29:24,647 --> 00:29:27,877
But if you know what the parameters
are, you can then push boundaries
601
00:29:28,027 --> 00:29:29,227
and you can play with it.
602
00:29:30,007 --> 00:29:36,487
So I. The biggest part of the journey has
been figuring out how does it all work?
603
00:29:36,542 --> 00:29:38,162
How do these things work?
604
00:29:38,222 --> 00:29:40,862
Like when we started the BMBs,
simple things like, where do
605
00:29:40,862 --> 00:29:42,272
I get the little soaps from?
606
00:29:42,782 --> 00:29:45,332
You know, like, how do I actually do this?
607
00:29:45,662 --> 00:29:48,422
I knew nothing about
running BMBs when I started.
608
00:29:48,452 --> 00:29:48,752
Yeah.
609
00:29:49,142 --> 00:29:53,942
And I think the trick in life is
to be as generous as you can with
610
00:29:53,942 --> 00:29:55,472
your knowledge and your experience.
611
00:29:55,502 --> 00:29:59,942
I mean, when we had the BMBs, I used
to invite other B&B owners all the
612
00:29:59,942 --> 00:30:03,422
time to come and have a tea and a
tour, and people always commented,
613
00:30:03,422 --> 00:30:05,102
you're so generous with your knowledge.
614
00:30:05,762 --> 00:30:10,562
And I believe if you help other
people, whether that's in hospitality
615
00:30:10,562 --> 00:30:15,212
or in art, to be better at their
craft or better in their role.
616
00:30:15,627 --> 00:30:18,147
You're rising the tide and
it's better for everybody.
617
00:30:18,407 --> 00:30:22,547
If the quality of the art is better,
if the quality of the way we present
618
00:30:22,547 --> 00:30:26,507
our art is better, if the quality of
the way we run our art businesses is
619
00:30:26,507 --> 00:30:28,697
better, that's good for all of us.
620
00:30:29,477 --> 00:30:33,377
So I believe in both
mentoring and being a mentee.
621
00:30:34,412 --> 00:30:35,642
I've been very fortunate here.
622
00:30:35,642 --> 00:30:38,612
The local enterprise office are
amazing with their mentorship programs.
623
00:30:39,002 --> 00:30:42,632
I've done mentorship with both AV
Ring and with Anna Healy, the current
624
00:30:42,872 --> 00:30:45,092
president of Network Island West Cork.
625
00:30:45,662 --> 00:30:48,482
So I'm really blessed with
that and I'm not scared to ask
626
00:30:48,482 --> 00:30:49,832
for help whenever I need it.
627
00:30:50,312 --> 00:30:54,452
And I think being humble enough to
understand where you do have gaps.
628
00:30:54,532 --> 00:30:58,312
I mean, Melbourne says we all have our
strengths and our acceptable weaknesses.
629
00:30:58,712 --> 00:31:01,172
I understand that there
are weaknesses I have.
630
00:31:01,382 --> 00:31:03,002
If you don't have a skillset, marry it.
631
00:31:03,002 --> 00:31:07,442
Which is why I married an accountant, a
very supportive and wonderful accountant.
632
00:31:07,982 --> 00:31:11,192
So yeah, I think it's important
to help each other, and I think
633
00:31:11,192 --> 00:31:12,332
that's part of life's journey.
634
00:31:12,422 --> 00:31:16,472
And if we are intersecting at
different points, connecting the
635
00:31:16,472 --> 00:31:20,672
dots then becomes our way to help
others along and for them to help us.
636
00:31:21,077 --> 00:31:24,017
So what's been the most
rewarding aspect of it?
637
00:31:24,707 --> 00:31:26,057
The connection with people.
638
00:31:26,137 --> 00:31:29,047
I was commissioned to
do a massive painting.
639
00:31:29,407 -->
00:31:33,337
It was a meet and a half by two
meters by one of our clients in our
640
00:31:33,337 --> 00:31:38,147
b and b. He was an engineer and he
loved to travel internationally from
641
00:31:38,147 --> 00:31:39,582
South Africa to go to rave parties.
642
00:31:40,637 --> 00:31:43,487
He would like literally jump on a
plane and go off to Amsterdam or
643
00:31:43,487 --> 00:31:47,507
beet or wherever and or he'd go to
these massive raves and come back.
644
00:31:48,137 --> 00:31:50,747
And he had a posse of friends
that would go to these things
645
00:31:50,747 --> 00:31:54,767
with him either in South Africa or
internationally, and he commissioned
646
00:31:54,767 --> 00:31:56,357
me to do this massive painting.
647
00:31:56,417 --> 00:32:02,657
I think there were 12 of them, all in all,
and they were all in their rave gear and
648
00:32:02,657 --> 00:32:08,327
like sort of think cosplay, like this was
a fantastical, incredible big painting.
649
00:32:09,167 --> 00:32:14,992
But the journey with him and the
banter and the fun is just incredible.
650
00:32:15,672 --> 00:32:20,652
Working at the moment with this 50th
birthday present, co conspiring with
651
00:32:20,652 --> 00:32:25,122
the wife and the sister, and dropping
it off with the mommy on the way home.
652
00:32:25,152 --> 00:32:25,332
Yeah.
653
00:32:25,332 --> 00:32:29,982
From this podcast interview today is
just that to me gives me a huge kick.
654
00:32:30,387 --> 00:32:34,947
And when people see their own portrait
or they see their own, you know, whatever
655
00:32:34,947 --> 00:32:39,717
is special to them, that really is
amazing and that means something to them.
656
00:32:40,227 --> 00:32:42,687
And you will always be part of
their lives 'cause it will sit
657
00:32:42,687 --> 00:32:44,457
there reminding you of them.
658
00:32:44,547 --> 00:32:46,427
And that happy memory stays with you.
659
00:32:46,642 --> 00:32:46,922
Absolutely.
660
00:32:47,742 --> 00:32:52,667
And what are the big ambitions or dream
projects that are fueling your passion
661
00:32:52,847 --> 00:32:54,707
and vision for the future of your art?
662
00:32:56,237 --> 00:32:59,837
Up until now, I've been really
focused on landscapes, seascapes,
663
00:32:59,837 --> 00:33:02,177
sort of a lot of Irish scenery.
664
00:33:02,287 --> 00:33:06,397
And I want to kind of move that a
little bit towards Irish portraiture.
665
00:33:06,547 --> 00:33:06,967
Okay.
666
00:33:07,357 --> 00:33:10,477
And we were mentioning, while we were
chatting before the podcast, I have
667
00:33:10,477 --> 00:33:15,517
a particular interest in what has
been termed, I think the new Irish.
668
00:33:15,517 --> 00:33:18,697
So people that are
naturalizing as Irish citizens.
669
00:33:19,132 --> 00:33:24,892
I think it's fascinating, of course, being
the child of an Irish and Welsh immigrant
670
00:33:24,892 --> 00:33:28,672
who came to South Africa's children,
we grew up as immigrants children.
671
00:33:28,672 --> 00:33:35,352
We've come back as Irish South Africans,
being almost foreigners- Irish, but not.
672
00:33:35,352 --> 00:33:35,412
Yeah.
673
00:33:36,252 --> 00:33:38,562
And I think there's a whole body of work.
674
00:33:38,712 --> 00:33:43,722
I think, we'll call it Irish, but not,
and with the naturalization ceremonies
675
00:33:43,722 --> 00:33:46,962
that are happening, my husband is
going through his naturalization.
676
00:33:47,517 --> 00:33:51,027
Process at the moment, and I think
it's really interesting looking at
677
00:33:51,027 --> 00:33:55,767
all the different nationalities who
are naturalizing as Irish citizens,
678
00:33:56,217 --> 00:34:02,727
and of the 191,000 people that
naturalized since the citizenship
679
00:34:02,727 --> 00:34:04,917
ceremonies came into place in 2011.
680
00:34:05,292 --> 00:34:06,282
It's really interesting.
681
00:34:06,282 --> 00:34:08,292
That's 140 different countries.
682
00:34:08,372 --> 00:34:09,842
And it fascinates me.
683
00:34:09,842 --> 00:34:10,922
Who's in the top 10?
684
00:34:11,582 --> 00:34:14,966
Well, I know who's in the top 10 and
I'd like to paint a representative
685
00:34:14,966 --> 00:34:16,886
from each of those top 10 countries.
686
00:34:16,976 --> 00:34:17,036
Yeah.
687
00:34:17,286 --> 00:34:21,696
South Africa's number seven India number
one, UK number two in Brazil, number
688
00:34:21,696 --> 00:34:25,296
three, just as a teaser campaign to what
this body of work is going to look like.
689
00:34:25,296 --> 00:34:27,576
So I think that's really cool.
690
00:34:27,996 --> 00:34:32,586
There is a perception amongst the Irish
community that I've been talking to that.
691
00:34:33,141 --> 00:34:37,011
They wouldn't necessarily want a
portrait of somebody else in their home.
692
00:34:37,521 --> 00:34:39,411
And that wasn't a thing in South Africa.
693
00:34:39,451 --> 00:34:44,941
You know, if I painted a beautiful
Zulu cebo man in the local
694
00:34:44,941 --> 00:34:48,061
supermarket, I stopped him and
said, please, may I take a photo?
695
00:34:48,061 --> 00:34:51,661
I would love to paint you that
would sell if I had a beautiful
696
00:34:51,871 --> 00:34:54,271
waitress with a huge afro.
697
00:34:54,271 --> 00:34:54,331
Yeah.
698
00:34:54,331 --> 00:34:55,411
And she was stunning.
699
00:34:55,411 --> 00:34:58,231
I mean, this meter by meter
portrait would go live with.
700
00:34:58,681 --> 00:35:01,231
The chief operating
officer of a major bank.
701
00:35:01,311 --> 00:35:04,281
It was not uncommon for
portraits to be sold easily.
702
00:35:04,641 --> 00:35:08,531
Whereas there is a bit of resistance
I feel in the Irish community, so
703
00:35:08,531 --> 00:35:11,771
I've stayed a bit clearer of it, you
know, while I'm building my footprint.
704
00:35:11,861 --> 00:35:14,381
But I really want to
paint these big paintings.
705
00:35:14,411 --> 00:35:14,471
Yeah.
706
00:35:14,981 --> 00:35:16,181
Irish citizens.
707
00:35:16,301 --> 00:35:17,081
Irish, but not
708
00:35:17,561 -->
00:35:18,191
a good one.
709
00:35:18,191 --> 00:35:18,971
That's a good name.
710
00:35:18,971 --> 00:35:19,511
Exactly.
711
00:35:20,681 --> 00:35:24,341
And drawing on your diverse
experience of reinvention and
712
00:35:24,341 --> 00:35:26,111
building your art business in Ireland.
713
00:35:26,501 --> 00:35:30,071
What's one piece of advice you'd give
to fellow creative entrepreneurs?
714
00:35:31,811 --> 00:35:33,521
Don't be scared of the business side.
715
00:35:34,271 --> 00:35:35,921
Don't be scared of the people side.
716
00:35:36,031 --> 00:35:39,571
Focus on building
relationships with suppliers.
717
00:35:39,781 --> 00:35:41,611
I think people underestimate that.
718
00:35:42,631 --> 00:35:48,271
I try as much as possible to use local
suppliers, so my printer for my fine art
719
00:35:48,271 --> 00:35:50,311
princess here in Ilt, strand Framing.
720
00:35:50,361 --> 00:35:52,611
I try as much as possible to.
721
00:35:53,106 --> 00:35:55,416
Source supplies within my own pond.
722
00:35:56,046 --> 00:35:59,316
So if I'm looking for somebody to
help me with digital marketing, for
723
00:35:59,316 --> 00:36:02,796
example, I will specifically go and
fish in the Network Cork or network
724
00:36:02,796 --> 00:36:07,746
West Cork Pond, because that helps
me to support other members of the
725
00:36:08,106 --> 00:36:10,446
community that I'm networking within.
726
00:36:11,077 --> 00:36:12,876
And I think if people.
727
00:36:13,401 --> 00:36:17,421
Want to take themselves seriously as
artists or take themselves seriously
728
00:36:17,421 --> 00:36:19,071
as any kind of business person.
729
00:36:19,551 --> 00:36:21,831
You need to track what you're doing.
730
00:36:21,932 --> 00:36:26,761
You need to keep record of what you're
producing, how much it costs, how much
731
00:36:26,761 --> 00:36:33,691
you're making, and keep a record of what
you've done so that when you start reining
732
00:36:33,691 --> 00:36:35,191
the benefits of it, you can see it.
733
00:36:35,987 --> 00:36:38,587
It's a little bit like
deciding to lose 10 kilograms.
734
00:36:38,587 --> 00:36:41,497
You know, you don't notice the
little weight loss as it goes along.
735
00:36:41,577 --> 00:36:44,517
But somebody who hasn't seen you
in eight months goes, holy cow.
736
00:36:44,517 --> 00:36:45,267
What happened to you?
737
00:36:45,272 --> 00:36:45,532
Yeah.
738
00:36:45,537 --> 00:36:45,657
Yeah.
739
00:36:45,707 --> 00:36:47,837
It's the same with an artistic journey.
740
00:36:47,837 --> 00:36:49,067
It's incremental.
741
00:36:49,167 --> 00:36:53,847
You plant so many seeds, some of
them just die, but many of them
742
00:36:53,847 --> 00:36:56,907
are starting to flourish, and now
you're starting to reap the benefit.
743
00:36:57,357 --> 00:37:00,477
And a year down the line, now I've
being a full-time professional artist.
744
00:37:01,632 --> 00:37:06,012
Exhibitions, artist in
Residence, core creative podcast.
745
00:37:06,972 --> 00:37:07,992
The list goes on.
746
00:37:07,992 --> 00:37:09,852
I've had so much press coverage.
747
00:37:09,882 --> 00:37:13,332
It's just, I mean, I had
something in the Echo recently.
748
00:37:13,577 --> 00:37:14,897
The My Weekend feature.
749
00:37:15,377 --> 00:37:16,427
It's a full page.
750
00:37:16,667 --> 00:37:16,787
Yeah.
751
00:37:16,847 --> 00:37:19,337
I mean, I'm just a little
South African artist.
752
00:37:19,727 --> 00:37:19,787
Yeah.
753
00:37:19,787 --> 00:37:21,377
To move to Ireland four years ago.
754
00:37:21,887 --> 00:37:26,747
So, but it shows that if you determined
and you have tenacity and grit.
755
00:37:27,362 --> 00:37:28,442
You can succeed.
756
00:37:28,442 --> 00:37:32,462
And I think that's important for
everyone to realize they can all succeed.
757
00:37:32,462 --> 00:37:36,272
It doesn't matter how good
or strong you are, it's about
758
00:37:36,272 --> 00:37:38,072
persevering and being consistent.
759
00:37:38,252 --> 00:37:39,962
I think those would be my key lessons.
760
00:37:40,142 --> 00:37:40,832
Absolutely.
761
00:37:40,832 --> 00:37:44,632
Well, thank you so much Emma,
for joining us on the podcast.
762
00:37:44,632 --> 00:37:46,072
You have been an inspiration.
763
00:37:46,672 --> 00:37:49,642
If you want to learn more about Emma
and her work, you can find links to her
764
00:37:49,642 --> 00:37:52,432
website and socials on core creative, ie.
765
00:37:53,122 --> 00:37:53,872
Thank you so much.
766
00:37:54,232 --> 00:37:54,472
Great.