No Guts No Glory

No Guts No Glory is an up and coming independant retail outlet and illustrators networking hub that thrives on the philosophy of supporting emerging talented illustrators in a non profiteering enviornment. We were lucky to be visited by the founders of the shop, Nathan and Haley. 

Their talk was very useful for gaining some insight into the trials and tribulations of starting a business of this kind in a rocky economic climate, and the state of mind and attitude that is required to do it. Nathan had to work very hard, using every available resource and focus hard on what it was he was trying to create, despite being told it would fail. 

What I learnt from this is that everything you want to achieve is possible and all it takes is true passion and dedication to achieve it. The importance of finding freinds and connections with people who are also passionate and willing to help was inspiring and really creates a business that I respect for their values. No Guts No Glory highlights the joys that come from doing what you love and making freinds without the need for money or greed.

Working as an Independant illustrator

Nathan and Haley gave us some information that highlighted some of the aspects that they looked for in artists that they would support in their shop:

-High quality artwork

-Accessible artwork

-Affordable artwork

-Proffessional self presentation

-A passion for what you do

-A freindly approachable and enthusiastic personality

The benefits of working with no guts no glory:

-Exposure, NGNG is becoming more and more well known.

-Make new freinds and meet new artists to inspire and collaborate

-Gain commissions

-Make some money! 

-Do what you love as part of your lifestyle.

Indy artists With No Guts No Glory

Sandra Dieckmann

Sandra dieckmanns work has a beautiful laboured quality to it which gives it value and a perpetuality that makes it worth buying to a wide audience of people who appreciate this kind of work. I need to think about my own work and what qualities make it interesting to buy and what my strengths are to create something of a high quality.

 Sandras work incorporates alot of animals. Working to a theme such as this is obviously a passion of sandras and adds a sense of her concerns and personality to the work. Working in the boundaries of themes that I am interested in also allows me to feel more passionate about my work and in turn would make my work better as a result.

Owen Gent

Owen Gent also produces work for No Guts No Glory whilst also working freelance elsewhere. His artwork has a traditional quality similar to the aesthetic of works by artists such as Van Gogh. This quality gives his prints something that people expect and like to see on the wall in their home, making them more attractive to purchase as decoration. I think that with this niche of appealing to a broad audience through traditional styles whilst also covering modern themes is something new and a good combination of tastes that makes the work accessible. 

Philip Harris

Philip Harris was my favourite artist included in NGNG's collection. His high detail precise style really caught my eye and is somethign that i personally am interested in. I really enjoy imagery that has lots to look at and always has something new to discover. This is what i think adds value to an illustration: A perpetual sense of intrigue. Obviously my tastes differ from the next person and being able to select a niche topic and style that gives artwork a unique style and language that people will want to buy is crucial. 

The indy nature of NGNG and the target audience that they attract, Hipsters and artists, people into the niche scenes and tattoos, can be seen throughout the range of their products which really support the style of artists like Philip Harris.