Introduce us to you and your brand!
My name is Becca Gallacher, I launched little living room in June 2020, in my bedroom, when I was on furlough. Having just been shortlisted for the John Byrne Award I was high on the possibility of success as a writer! I had been playing with the idea of developing a poetry and art book of my own work and searched for guidance to make it a success.
After a few depressing conversations about lack of opportunity, lack of financial success and lack in general the idea rapidly developed into a zine, a magazine and finally an art book to platform as many creatives I could with the intention of getting their work out there. To make space for their art! and give them a little living room.
" ...finally an art book to platform as many creatives I could with the intention of getting their work out there. To make space for their art! and give them a little living room."
How has your brand/work developed since you began?
Since June 2020 the design of the book has taken great leaps, thanks to awards and commitment from my board members. We now produce a tri-annual art book crafted with much care between myself, Emma (graphic designer), Mullein (Resident illustrator) and our guest copy editing team.
Each issue is curated around a set theme with work from artists, writers and makers, and interviews by myself and our team with interesting community projects throughout the U.K. We have moved towards being a publishing house with a creative collective through which we are even supporting our artists in developing their workshops with us to share their practice with the public.
Click to buy in our online shop!
What are your main inspirations?
My primary inspiration was, like many modern poets, Rupi Kaur. Since developing into the art book stages though I have developed a deep connection to the 'Counter Point' and 'Somewhere' publications.
What do you consider to be your most popular product? Why do you think it resonates with people
Our most popular products so far are prints by Mullein Green, our resident illustrator. We print her work with Bare Branding in leith. I think her work resonates with people because she captures the essence of the written work we receive from submissions in an etherial kind of style. They are bold and playful, in a colourful watercolour style, drawn digitally on Wacom. We are very proud to have her work illustrate our books.
What piece are you the proudest of?
I am proudest of little living room issue 2: voice because of the level of collaboration. I was able to bring on more creatives to produce the publication and streamline the processes. I also love the pieces in the book and it was a pleasure to give more artists and writers a platform for their work.
Click to buy in our online shop!
What would you consider to be the most challenging aspect about being a working artist/designer?
I would say the financial instability can be the most challenging aspect along with the need to prove yourself, to be outwardly confident when approaching funding bodies even when you are feeling very low and suffering from imposter syndrome.
Do you have any past accomplishments you wish to share?
Being awarded start up grants from Unltd Award and First port was very rewarding and gave me the confidence I needed to keep on going towards my goals. Our events with leith police box, OOTB Drill hall and at August 21 allowed us to connect more with the community and support the artists in little living room collective - which has been very rewarding!
How did you find out about SDX? And what made you apply to sell with us?
I found out about SDX through First port as we were both successful in receiving the same award - it made me feel confident enough to approach SDX as I knew they were also of the mind set of truly helping creatives and making real social impact!
What have you found to be the most challenging aspect to your business since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020?
My social capacity has gone way down, I used to work in the service industry and was all about the banter! working in solitude has brought me into a serious place of concentrating on making my business work which is great! But is reduced a once great capacity for socialising and connecting with people.
What do you hope to gain from working with SDX moving forward?
I hope to gain more connections in the community, and reach more artists and makers to introduce them to what little living room can do for them!
If you could share just one piece of advice to aspiring artists/designers who want to make a living from their creative talents, what would you tell them?
I would say there is always more support out there than you think, talk to people about your ideas and goals, nobody can do your business better than you in the way you want to make it happen - other creatives are not simply competition they can be supporters and most beautifully, collaborators!
Click to buy in our online shop!
"...it made me feel confident enough to approach SDX as I knew they were also of the mind set of truly helping creatives and making real social impact! "
And finally, help share some motivation with your favourite inspirational advise or quote!
"I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life"
- Maya Angelou
Thank you to Becca for participating in our blog, you can find Little Living Room at our Edinburgh, George Street shop and online