4 Irish Freelancers on How to Up Your Game in the Creative Industries
Words: Eva O’Beirne
Photography: George Voronov
Following the indulgence of the holiday season, everyone needs a reset. It doesn’t need to be all or nothing either. Lifestyle changes aren’t restricted to a full dry January and there’s a lot to be said for finding a new equilibrium in moderation.
With the themes of reflection and recharging in mind, we’ve teamed up with Jameson to showcase ways you can realign your habits and mindset ahead of a busy year.
On Thursday 2 February, we hosted a live panel talk in Hen’s Teeth with photographer Ellius Grace, Doja Cat co-signed designer RASHHIIID, musician BRICKNASTY and artist/illustrator Fuchsia MacAree.
Ahead of our live podcast with these creatives, District reached out to see what they expected to learn from the talk, as well as what they wanted to bring to the table.
I want to give a fashion industry take on navigating the influencer world, the difficulties and balance of pricing your products.
Rachel Maguire
Launched only a year ago, Rachel Maguire’s brand RASHHIIID is already an international sensation. Her iconic faux fur pieces have been seen on Doja Cat, Ariana Grande, Rosalia, Addison Rae, and Vanessa Hudgens (just to name a few).
Rachel now finds herself being featured in DAZED, her followers growing by the thousand and her work splashed across the internet, so naturally, her main objectives for this panel were to equip the audience with marketing ideas and to emphasise the power of PR.
“Turning the negative experiences into a positive,’ she explained. ‘I want to give a fashion industry take on navigating the influencer world, the difficulties and balance of pricing your products.”
As for what the mind behind RASHHIIID wanted to learn? Simply, the good and bad that each creative has experienced on their respective journeys.
Every career is full of mishaps and roadblocks, so letting these things be discussed will hopefully dispel any mystery for the audience
Ellius Grace
In a similar vein, photographer Ellius Grace also hoped to tap into the mishaps that they’ve all experienced to show the audience the fluid nature of the creative industry. “I have been working as a photographer and a director for a number of years now and have learned many lessons along the way. I usually like to speak about things that I did wrong so that other people might not make the same mistakes,” he explained.
“Every career is full of mishaps and roadblocks, so letting these things be discussed will hopefully dispel any mystery for the audience,” Ellius continued. “I also have a view on the differences between working as a freelance photographer, and a director represented by a production company. Each has its pros and cons, and represents the different ways that we all operate in the creative industry.”
“I’d love to hear some stories from the other people on the panel. Other mishaps and specifics to their practice and industry. I love talking to other creative people about their work so it should be fun!”
For acclaimed artist/illustrator Fuchsia MacAree, this panel marked the opportunity for her to speak about making space for yourself in different creative industries and managing admin to make more time for yourself to do the things you love.
Fuchsia’s work highlights quiet moments of contemplation, details in nature and observations from everyday Irish life, and uses simplified perspectives and a distinctive colour palette. Having received a BDes in Visual Communication in NCAD in 2011, followed by an MA in Illustration in Camberwell in London in 2012, she went on to illustrate the bestselling and award-winning Great Irish Weather Book with Gill Books.
But how do you keep up the momentum to stay creative? Fuchsia used this talk to find the best methods amongst the panel on February 2.
With discussions about taxes, emigration, maintaining a routine and of course, collaborating with Doja Cat, it was the perfect event to connect with like-minded individuals.
During college and school, there’s rarely discussion of the implications of burnout, how to manage time and budgets, or how you can develop sustainable practices to ensure you are your best self. In summary – all the non-creative parts of being an artist or self-employed person.
That’s why our invited creatives came correct with the best practices to improve their work/life balance after a period of reflection in January.
With discussions about taxes, emigration, maintaining a routine and of course, collaborating with Doja Cat, it was the perfect event to connect with like-minded individuals. Meanwhile, Jameson bartenders were on hand throughout the night to provide low and non-alcoholic cocktails.
A recorded version of our panel discussion is now available as a podcast.
Click here to stream.
Enjoy Jameson responsibly.
Visit www.drinkaware.ie for more information.
On Thursday 2 February, we hosted a live panel talk in Hen’s Teeth with photographer Ellius Grace, Doja Cat co-signed designer RASHHIIID, musician BRICKNASTY and artist/illustrator Fuchsia MacAree and about 75 guests.
With the themes of reflection and recharging in mind, District teamed up with Jameson to showcase ways you can realign your habits and mindset ahead of a busy year.
Available to stream in full here
