Throughout March we are celebrating Women in the Arts with a connection to the Isle of Man. The aim of this series is to highlight the challenges that women face in the creative industry, share some advice to younger creatives and also to celebrate these women in their achievements.
Nicola Dixon
What is your professional background in the arts?
I am proud to say I have made a living from my creativity for 30 years. Like many professionals it hasn’t been a linear path. I started decorating wooden jewellery at university to pay for an expedition to Fiji, then at home after I graduated. I went adventuring and worked further afield alongside the sailing industry crewing on mostly old wooden boats and going to very beautiful events. I exhibited my wooden boat inspired work in the UK, France, America, the Caribbean. After a trip to Antigua to paint for a local gallery I was approached to do some high profile work for Cowes Week and the America’s Cup Jubilee. I returned home from London to do it, and enjoyed being back, and used the Island as my base to travel from. It was amazing but it was a challenge to make it viable long term, so I focused on the Isle of Man where there was a lot of interest. I carved a niche for myself with originals and greeting cards, and often exhibited at home too. In 2014 things got busy. I represented the Island at Festival Interceltique de Lorient and had to deliver a big exhibition. I had revisited my Archibald Knox work from the jewellery days as part of being in a Museum exhibition. It was a real challenge, but a new direction followed. I was then commissioned to design metal screens in the centre of Peel, the Green Mann Stamps celebrating Manx food and farming, artwork for Manannan Court and another is soon to be revealed. Alongside all of this my cards, prints and products are in shops around the island.
What inspired you to pursue a career as an artist?
Being an artist wasn’t the plan, but a series of life nudges pushed me that way. I was always very creative, but didn’t see it as a career as I was good at other things too, and had a save the world plan. I got post viral fatigue when studying Geography and Social Anthropology at University, and it lasted for a few years. When I graduated I found I could work my own hours making jewellery and nap accordingly so carried on! For a while I thought I would get a ‘proper job’ when I moved to London, but I did 3 weeks of a dream one and hated it, and some big opportunities came up creatively in that time. Only then did I accept that I was an artist rather than someone on a proper job pause. Things then took off with my sailing work, and I started to believe in myself.
What progress have you seen for women in your field?
The internet is huge. I had no idea where to go for information when I started out. Advice given didn’t resonate with where I was at. I floundered and struggled a lot, and was very lonely too. I remember going on artist and creative people hunts as I knew none! It is very different now. The internet allows us to find our people, locally and internationally, gather information easily, and even meet virtually. I now have a wide and supportive circle at home. I am also a member of an international art business group online and we have weekly conversations around what we do which is brilliant, and a forum to seek guidance and support. Every ones career is different, there are no clear paths, and having the support and advice of people that have a clue to help you move forward is crucial to thrive. In addition you don’t have to physically go to place to be seen. You can work from home and have an international career. That is phenomenal.
Share a women's empowerment moment that inspired you creatively.
I had to think about this. Something that was quietly profound is I went to Cowes to see the start of the Fastnet race in 1989, and saw the all female ‘Maiden’ Crew at the dock. I was into sailing at the time after working on a yacht on my year out. I remember an interview with Tracy Edwards saying that they might not have the physical strength of men but if they worked together and approached things differently they could find another way to do things. I have always had to have a similar approach on my creative journey. Maiden went on to be most successful British crew in history in the Volvo Round the World Race. That is big. There is film about them is now on Netflix. ‘Maiden’. It is a great story.
What do you think is biggest issue in the creative industries facing women of your age?
Straight up...very much on my mind at the moment is the cost of housing and space to work. It troubles me enormously on dark days when I consider my future and look at my income and mortgage possibilities being self employed. It must be so tough for the younger generation returning here, going through the learning the ropes stage when you earn very little and do things for exposure that don’t really cover the cost of your time. Actually making a living is an art form in itself, especially in the early years. Most people don’t have a clue what is involved in bringing something into being from nothing/raw materials. In addition often creative business start off small scale as a side line to other jobs, when looking after children at home, or in my case when I was ill. The systems in place now often makes them illegible for support when they approach government business schemes too. Potential in the creative industries is not being fostered for growth when needed.
How important is it for women to lift each other up and can you share an example of that happening to you?
Enormously. Reflecting on it, it is my normality. The majority of the galleries, shops, events and on line and physical artists groups I have worked with through my career have been run by dedicated supportive women. A lot of my customers are women too. Anita Hogarth who used to run the Courtyard/Sayle Gallery so brilliantly was amazing, and is much missed. My heartfelt thanks to them all.
In the lead up to International Women's Day (8th March), what is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about a career in the arts?
Believe in yourself, remember you are a work in progress, never stop learning, you need to have skills that bring in the money so that you can be self reliant, no matter what art schools say about commercialism being bad thing. You will need entrepreneurial business skills for career longevity, be open to opportunity and crucially, find your tribe.
What have you been working on/what would you like to promote?
Turning my designs into beautiful things through print on demand technology has been a game changer. My throws, table and floor lamps, cushions, mugs and snoods look amazing. It is an exciting development. Some are now in the Manx National Heritage Shops and Element Isle, but the rest only work if sold directly which is tricky. I have a space at Pinewood Studios Bishops court, and have an open event with the Kierd Collective at on Easter Saturday. I will be open at other times when I have caught up with myself. I really need to paint and create now after having a dormant sorting out stuff phase. Keep an eye on my social media.
Where can we stay up to date?
