Music. Art. Creative Lifestyle

MUSICIAN & ILLUSTRATOR

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LATEST ART

Freaky Little Creatures

Steampunk/Gothic art bursts to life in this world premiere interactive art exhibition for Fringe World 2020.

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LATEST POSTS

Freaky Little Creatures

Freaky Little Creatures

Perth, WA illustrator Nicola Milan showcases her collection of steampunk gothic characters at her first solo exhibition ‘Freaky Little Creatures’ at the 2020 Perth Fringe Festival.

How To Like Being Alone

How To Like Being Alone

Being alone, doesn’t mean lonely. This inspirational video shows you how to like being alone and to feel at peace with the time you spend flying solo.

As Summer Wanes…

As Summer Wanes…

A short, visual dark poem about feelings that creep up towards the end of summer. Awash with gothic undertones juxtaposed by white sandy beaches.

Long Hard Road (Acoustic Version)

Long Hard Road (Acoustic Version)

A tale about the glass ceiling and how far women have yet to go in the battle for equality. Written by Nicola Milan & Minky G.

Where wild things stalk and creatures haunt with tricks they like to play…

So close your eyes and do not talk, or you shall be their prey.

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Ahead of new material coming soon... ‘Just A Kis

Ahead of new material coming soon... ‘Just A Kiss' Flashback. This was my very first music video ever. We hired out a beautiful space near the University of Western Australia to film and I was lucky enough to have a whole crew helping me put this together. I was definitely not used to being in front of the camera and felt really uncomfortable doing the scenes... especially the intimate dance scenes.. but it still came out ok. I really like vibe of this song. This was how I wanted more of my songs to turn out like; a mix of jazz with a modern sound created with the electric bass, emotive and with a strong groove.... but for some reason veered off course for a while... but I feel like I'm back on track now.
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#flashback #musicvideo #song #original #originalmusic #singer #singerslife #bossa #dream #kiss

Uploading a few flashbacks to some of my favourite

Uploading a few flashbacks to some of my favourite scenes from previous music videos ahead of some new material coming soon! This was the 'knife selection' scene from 'Things I Do To Get To You'... a song about an obsessed stalker who man-napps her love interest and does all sorts of visually fun to watch, but ultimately nasty things to him in the pursuit of love. It was so much fun filming this one and it was heavily influenced by film noir. .
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#ThingsIdo #noir #obsession #stalker #vintagestyle #oldhollywoodglam #oldhollywood #glamour #musicvideo #musician #jazzsinger #jazzpop #filmnoir #filmnoir #blackandwhite #musicianslife

COVID SERIES Pt 3: How to Like Being Alone. . "Wha

COVID SERIES Pt 3: How to Like Being Alone.
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"What may seem to some as lonely,
Is a place calm and serene.
A state that let's my mind run free,
A paradise just for me."
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Spending time alone means indulging in mind wanders... One of my favourite things to do.
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#poetry #poem #dailyscribble #writing #words #lifewords #lifelessons #stayathome #mindfulness #creativity #creativelife #artistslife #lifestyle

COVID SERIES Pt 2: How to Like Being Alone . Its t

COVID SERIES Pt 2: How to Like Being Alone
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Its the small thing that you miss. The scent that lingers on an old, unwashed shirt. A forgotten bottle of aftershave you discover gathering dust at the back of your bathroom cabinet. A letter that arrives out of the blue addressed to him. .
You live your life and soon your mind drifts on and fills the emptiness with the busyness of your day... until a reminder arrives and all those memories come flooding back.
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After a while it becomes easier and you begin to think fondly of that person (or glad you've left them behind) and you realise, that alone doesn't mean lonely.
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You are happy. You are free. You are busy getting on with building what you want in life. So, have a glass of wine and celebrate being able to do whatever you want with your day.
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PS: Scroll for the 'FU you douche version'. 😉
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#weareallinthistogether #covid #jazz #jazzstandard #foolishthings #jazzsinger #singer #talentedmusicians #ballad #lovesong #memories #jazzblue #jazzstandard #jazzmusicians #jazzcat #jazzhop #musiciansofig #acousticcovers #acousticsessions #acousticpeople #acousticsong #musos #thecasualjazzer

COVID SERIES Pt 1: How to Like Being Alone. . Many

COVID SERIES Pt 1: How to Like Being Alone.
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Many people associate being alone with loneliness, being cut off unwillingly from others, or feel a sense of having to struggle and do everything themselves without a safety net.
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Even creative types, who usually enjoy their own company, can start to feel isolated if given too much of a good thing (hello Covid), so I'm creating a series over my next three posts to help you through your solitude and to share, not really ‘tips’ to deal with being alone, but more of a shift in mindset.
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I hope this series brings you some peace, relaxation and helps you make the most of the alone time that you have. See the full video up on YouTube now. Link 'Latest Video' in bio. .
Nicola xx
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#inspiration #covid19 #stayathome #isolation #loneliness #beingalone #lonely #selfcare #lifestyle #creativelifestyle #arty #arthouse #vlogger #artistslife #artistsgivingback #lifelessons

Finished my new piece 'Miss Haruko' so I just had

Finished my new piece 'Miss Haruko' so I just had to put on a sparkly skirt and pose like I didn't care... Well, hey what's else has a girl to do during Covid anyway? .
I'm bringing out a series starting tomorrow about 'How to Like Being Alone'. It explains the difference between being alone and loneliness and the benefits of spending time flying solo. I hope it helps anyone dealing with isolation at the moment.
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I feel that as artists, its our job to help others through the rough patches. Producing new art for people to be inspired by, new songs that lift people's day, colouring in sheets to help people relax...any little way we can make life a little brighter is part of the artist's way to give back to the community. xx
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#thoughts #covid #newart #mood #artistslife #givingback #illustrationart #illustrate #creativityfound #womeninbusiness #creativelifehappylife #art #artist #inspiration #blackandwhite

Practicing my my walking bass lines over this litt

Practicing my my walking bass lines over this little fave 🙂 (Just The Way You Look Tonight)
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#jazzer #jazz #jazznation #musicianlife #lovesong #acoustic #jazzy #jazzmusic #jazzsinger #jazzvocals #jazzcafe #music

Here’s my little guitar improv over some basic c

Here’s my little guitar improv over some basic chords... Please excuse the rather loud and obnoxious gentleman in the distant background... I was so into my song that I didn't notice him until after I'd put this together... .
First thing I do when I get my new place is 'acousticize' the crap out of it. I'm putting an acoustic perimeter around the property and then fixing up the inner walls so its nice...and...quiet! .
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#improv #improvisation #songwriting #acousticguitar #songwriterslife #jamming #scat #jazzscat #scatsinging #jazzvocals #littleditty

Been doing a little songwriting with the guitar ag

Been doing a little songwriting with the guitar again. I REALLY love the sound of the guitar but it hurts my fingers (because I have rheumatoid arthritis.. not because I'm a wimp and I can't handle the strings!! haha) .
My skills are limited on this but I can still play some pretty things with simple chords. While Covid is still raging strong, I might see if I can write a folk song on guitar, and record it for you with harmonies and a solo using my tenor recorder! Stay tuned...
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#guitar #acoustic #songwriter #covid #creativelifestyle #lifestyleblogger #musicianslife #songwriting #musicianstyle #musicianphoto #songwriterslife

Miss Haruko... She's taking a while but getting th

Miss Haruko... She's taking a while but getting there! I really like how she's turned out in Black and White pastel compared to the vector version. This version has a softness the digital art hasn't captured. You just can't beat real 'do-it-by-hand' art at the end of the day. .
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#workinprogress #geisha #steampunkart #victorianstyle #pastellove #illustrationart #illustrate #sketch_daily #artstyle

Finished my first collection of art! I'm so keen t

Finished my first collection of art! I'm so keen to start drawing new pieces... I've put together a showcase page on my Interactive Art Exhibition 'Freaky Little Creatures' that I threw as part of the Fringe Festival back in January (link in bio under 'Latest Blog'). .
You can see all the cool Steampunk and pastel goth costumes people wore and have a few sneaky peeks at how the installation itself looked. .
Before Covid hit, I was super keen to do more installations. I wonder if there will be any opportunities like that left for artists once the economy is shattered...? Maybe I'll have to pull a Banksy and start doing mini temporary installations by stealth.... anyway, swipe to see some of the characters from the last collection.
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#covidthoughts #artistslife #dreaming #art #artcollection #gothicartist #steampunkart #finished #artistathome #lifestyle #creativelifestyle #creativelifestyleblog

Just uploaded a cover of the new James Bond theme

Just uploaded a cover of the new James Bond theme song 'No Time to Die' by Billie Eilish on YouTube. (Link to full version in bio)
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I can't WAIT to see the new movie. I love what the script writers are doing with James Bond's character and the female leads as well. Much more depth.
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I think this song really sums up the movie well (even without seeing it first). I feel as though its about the relationship between Bond and that blonde female lead. Its showing the cracks in his trust due to constant betrayal. .
#jamesbond #notimetodie #coversong #cover #billieelish #billieeilishcover #singer #jamesbondsong #musician #songoftheday #talented #vocals #talentedmusicians #acousticcover #acousticmusic #vocalcover #musiciandaily #musicianship #coversonig #musiciansofig #talented_musicians #vocalqueen #vocalbooth

Me during CoVid-19 lockdown... swipe for before th

Me during CoVid-19 lockdown... swipe for before the lockdown... although its actually a really good excuse to get creative. There are a million and one things to do at home and I'm kinda liking the lockdown because I usually hermit myself away for a few weeks to be creative, and now its perfectly acceptable behaviour. I shall be drawing, practicing piano, learning how to produce using Ableton, creating lots of tutorials for YouTube, writing new songs and... getting really good at yoga. I saw this guy on Insta (will try to find him and post in the comment) doing some seriously advanced pose stuff that requires wayyy more strength that I have at the moment... but its something to aspire to! So, the big question is... what creative genius are you going to be getting up to during lockdown?
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#diva #coronavirus #covid19 #vintageglam #glamour #vintageglamour #divamoment #lifestyle #creativeblogger #musicianslife #restless #lifestyleblogger #singerslife

Struttin' through life like.... There's a new vide

Struttin' through life like.... There's a new video up on my YouTube channel about personal branding for singers. Watch it just to laugh at my diva moments... 😉 Nicola xx
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#musicinspiration #motivation #musicmarketing #singer #strut #attitude #thisgirlcan #sequins #singerslife #singer #blog #lifestyle #creativity

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