For Nathan, living close to the places that support his creative work has made it easier to show up, stay consistent, and keep building towards a sustainable future.
Nathan Bell is a Home in Place tenant in Newcastle. He has lived in his apartment five years, and says he enjoys both the space and the community around him.
“It’s a nice apartment, near everything I need” Nathan says. “And everyone in the building is great.”
Living nearby means Nathan can keep a steady routine. He walks to Rely-Ability, an NDIS service provider, most weekdays to work on projects and returns on Saturdays for band rehearsal.
“It’s very convenient, because I can just walk in here [Rely-Ability] and get to work on my projects every day,” he says. “It’s so good to live close to the centre. That’s really the best thing about it.”
Nathan’s creative work spans visual art, writing, music, and digital media. He works with drawing and painting using chalk pastels, creates graphic designs, and runs an online shop selling clothing with his designs.
He says the support around him has helped him build new skills and expand what he can make.
“That’s supported by my visual arts mentor, Taejin,” Nathan says. “He’s taught me to animate and to draw better, and to do graphic design.”
“I film videos of me going around to different locations, selling books and art,” he says. “I run a podcast series where I discuss politics and science and philosophy… and I put it all up on YouTube.”
Outside the studio, Nathan is a familiar face in Newcastle. For around five years, he has regularly set up on Beaumont Street to sell his books and art, building a steady rapport with locals.
“I exclusively busk at Beaumont Street,” Nathan says. “I’ve got lots of regular buyers there.”
For Nathan, the long-term goal is clear: turn creativity into a liveable, sustainable income. Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Schizophrenia has led him to an alternate career path.
“I want to be successful as an artist,” he says. “And to create a liveable income off art and get off welfare and be fully sustainable through my art business.”
Nathan says he has been interested in creativity for as long as he can remember.
“My dream, when I was a small child, was to start a comic book company,” he says. “So not only have I always been interested in the arts, but always in creating a business out of my art.”
Now, he’s continuing to explore new formats and products, including 3D modelling and collectible figures based on his characters.
“We’re just about to start 3D modelling figures,” Nathan says. “Brad [A Rely-Ability staff member] has actually done some 3D modelling of some of my 2D characters. We’re going to make toys… a range of figurines.”
He also hopes to see his writing adapted for screen in the future.
“The next step for me… is to get some of my short stories turned into short films,” Nathan says.
Nathan works with Rely-Ability, and says the culture of encouragement and practical support has been a big part of his progress.
“There’s support here. People have a positive, supportive attitude… lifting people up and helping them achieve goals and learn skills,” he says. “It’s about having goals, then it’s about achieving those goals, seeing a project finished.”
Rely-Ability owner Michael says the service focuses on improving quality of life in a practical, capacity-building way, including skill development and support for daily living.
“The main goal is to improve the quality of life,” Michael says. “Almost every aspect of the support is around capacity building, skill development…”
“Supporting people to better understand how to develop and maintain healthy relationships as well.”
For Nathan, that combination of stability at home and consistent support close by keeps him moving forward, one project at a time.
