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Illawarra artist Trina Collins has been invited to talk at a one-day event showcasing the world's most inspirational, creative minds.
Creative Fuel in Sydney on August 6 will feature the chief creative officer from Google, a lecturer from the Standford d.School in America and the creative director from WIRED magazine.
Ms Collins, also known as Poncho Army, owns and operates Anchors Aweigh Art Studio in Wollongong.
"I had no idea who else was presenting when I was asked to be involved," Collins said.
"I was taken back a bit when I realised there were so many massive names participating from some pretty major companies."
Other speakers are Andrew Evans from IDEO and Vin Farrell from Havas Worldwide and Graeme Simsion, author of The Rosie Project.
"I work for myself. I have a very DIY approach to everything I do, so hopefully I have something different to contribute to the conference," Collins said.
Although the Wollongong artist doesn't work for any globally acclaimed organisations, she has enjoyed her fair share of achievements.
Collins was named one of the top-10 street artists in Australia by ArtsHub, was the 2012-13 resident artist at Wollongong Art Gallery, is a five-time finalist in the Stencil Art Prize and the National Gallery of Australia archives her work.
During her 30-minute Creative Fuel presentation at the Seymour Centre, Collins will be discussing "The Artist Introvert versus The Business Person Extrovert".
"Using your passion to make a livelihood does not come without difficulties," she said.
"It's hard to be an artist and make a living from it, you have to put yourself out there, and you have to market yourself but still keep your integrity.
"It's the battle between the artist introvert and the businessperson extrovert."
Collins will also be discussing her job as a mural artist. She has just returned from Maryborough, Queensland, where she taught a five-day stencil and street art workshop, and painted three murals. Next she's off to Chester Hill in Sydney followed by Dubbo to paint more walls.
In Wollongong, her artwork appears on the new Exeloo in MacCabe Park, a new lake-themed mural in Berkeley and panel artworks on the Town Hall and City Gallery. Collins has also painted walls for The Little Prince, His Boy Elroy and Hangtime and curates monthly art exhibitions for Beach Burrito.
Collins has three tickets to the Creative Fuel conference and cocktail party, worth $965 each, to give away. Email info@anchorsaweighartstudio.com for details. Entries close July 31 at 7pm.