Colombian visual artist and illustrator living in Essex, via Mexico and Suffolk, it’s a complicated story! She paints murals, creates digital illustrations, picture books and everything in between. Fine art and snobbery in art. Catalina blames her ADHD for ending up in Essex, she met an English man in Mexico who shared the same music taste (Josef K), and she decided to go on an adventure to Ipswich. Her experience in Ipswich ended up inspiring her artwork. It is hard to make a living from art in Colombia. In Mexico, Catalina funded her art and illustration studies by working in an advertising agency and also reviewing gigs. Catalina started getting freelance illustration commissions. And then onto bigger picture book commissions where she could be more experimental with styles. The difference between commercial and community mural projects. Window art - Big up Juliet Townsend and her amazing work! Catalina has two super powers - 1, being able to mix colours precisely. 2, being able to estimate measurements precisely like a Human Ruler. Is she a robot? Moving location, county, country means you have to start building a new network, and it can be tough. Finding your tribe. Looking for creative spaces locally. How is AI going to impact mural makers? Winter is brilliant for creative hibernation and getting loads of stuff done. Public art like murals and window art gives a sense of place against the commercial homogenisation of the high street. Catalina does a lot of visual work for the fun Essex band Dingus Khan. She’s also been getting crowds going wild on the dancefloor by DJing Colombian music in Colchester. ADHD, hyperfocus and being prolific as an artist. Pro tip: Don’t wear dungarees on a tour with a band, the dive bar toilets are not suitable! Being inspired by emotions and nature. Mind blowing - Essex wildlife is very exotic to a Colombian - big up the foxes!

Catalina's website

Catalina on Instagram

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Radio presenter for BBC Essex, event host and all round comedy man. A Romford boy gone Chelmsford. How do you say ‘Up and not crying’ in Icelandic? Sangita ACED her guess of what Rob does. Rob Jelly was born as Rob Jelly, it’s not a stage name! Rob hosts Nuclear Races in Kelvedon Hatch and gets the crowd pumped up for the event. He studied music tech at university and accidentally got into student radio. Student radio and hospital radio are great ways into the profession - put in the hours, practice and learn the craft. Talking about Sealand - the offshore platform on the coast of Essex. One of his first interviews was Essex rap, poetry, podcast legend Scroobius Pip. Don’t wait for permission to try something new, just go for it! Rob’s BBC show Upload tries to inspire people to be more creative in Essex. He gives a platform to creative people. Meeting other creatives is the best way to get creatively inspired. Unlocking creativity in people is massively rewarding. Talking about how the poet Ethan from Waxes Lyrical has thrived since joining a creative community. How to get people’s attention with a great email title - Shetland Pony Stuntman Backflip World Record. Faking creativity until you make it, in 4 days Rob went from zero to live video editing for the big screens at the o2 for Jingle Bell Ball. Writing wedding speeches in Japanese - Nick’s story - Japanese Borat. Rob tried to speak Danish once in an interview, which didn’t go well. ‘Slapped by Sandi Tokswig’ - this didn’t happen btw. The importance of finishing projects. Big up Will Ospreay! Rob is like the Essex Mr.Motivator getting the crowd hyped at Nuclear Races - in lycra at the top of a shipping container. He also writes comedy, poetry, stories - you can’t stop The Jelly. Reminiscing about former BBC Essex presenter Timbo who wore a foam elephant hat - Nick’s early comedy hero. Getting stuff stuck in bridges - the Chelmsford tradition. Swearing on the radio, not on Rob’s watch! Don’t worry about making mistakes or fluffing up lines, it’s going to happen, go with it. Tips for a great interview? In the history of bread, has more bread been fed to birds than has been turned to toast?

Rob on BBC Essex

Upload with Rob Jelly

Rob on Instagram

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Thanks to NGDA for their support

A man of many talents from ‘near Colchester’. Kip creates content around theme parks and technology, not both at the same time. Kip is proud of his honest reviews, he’s not ashamed to call out things that aren’t working. Creators have a responsibility where people will make decisions based on your content, so honesty is very important for respecting your audience. When Kip started there weren’t many theme park content creators, but now there are LOADS! Kip will go in as a normal punter and have an unbiased experience. Kip’s been blogging since 2008, which makes him an OG blogger. He was a ‘Daddy’ blogger, but has moved away from it now his children are older so they can have their own voice. Random fact - His number one blog ever was a review of Just For Men Control GX Shampoo. Can you trust influencers? Being offered nipple cream and incontinence pads as a parent blogger. Kip was on Gadget Man with Richard Ayoade reviewing self-folding buggies in Clissold Park, London. To create content you need to learn to write scripts, present, edit, camera man, social media coordination, PR, advertising - it’s constant and it’s hard work. Where can you learn all of these skills? Kip learned as he went. Kip never scripts his content, but has a good feel for what he wants to talk about, and then can always fix it with some edit magic. Committing and developing as you go along will see your skills grow. Making content that pleases the secret algorithms on social media platforms. Testing and optimising social media content. Turning your content side hustle into your main job. We love Meta Glasses! Making money from affiliate sales. Nick talks about going underwater at Loch Ness in a robot dolphin (true story). Big up Adventure Island in Southend. Nick declares Axis to be the greatest ride in Essex. Big up Pleasurewood Hills. Kip LOVES 13 at Alton Towers - the theming and experience is great and especially because it has an element of surprise - and that’s what makes a top tier ride. Talking about the very relaxing for autistic people Planet Coaster 2 computer game. Excitement about Universal Studios UK (near Essex). Is Woody Bear doing a Michael Jackson? Nick talks about hitting his head on the Zip World Mittal Orbit slide in Stratford. The podcast goes a bit crazy with Sangita’s new ride suggestion Euthanasia.

Kip on Insta

Kip on YouTube

Kip on TikTok

Kip's website

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share and all the good stuff.

Follow our Instagram for latest news and behind the scenes photos

Send comments, questions, or suggestions for fascinating creative people in Essex give us a shout on our Instagram

Thanks to NGDA for their support