I’m thrilled to finally share some exciting news! This October, I’ll be heading to Japan to speak at an event I’m incredibly excited to be a part of: Colive Fukuoka 2024!
Colive Fukuoka is one of the largest digital nomad events in Asia, celebrating creativity, community, and remote work. It’s held in Fukuoka, a vibrant, up-and-coming hub for digital nomads in Japan. The event brings together remote workers, creatives, start-ups, and entrepreneurs from across the globe, and I’m so excited to be a part of it. Not only that, but the lineup of speakers is amazing, including the queen of minimalism herself, Marie Kondo!
I’ve been invited as a key speaker, and my talk, "8 Lessons from 8 Years on the Road", will share the highs and lows of life as a digital nomad, female business owner, travel artist, and freelancer. If you’re curious about the nomadic lifestyle or you're a freelancer yourself, I’ll be offering insights that I hope will resonate with and inspire you.
Grab Your Tickets!
The event takes place in Fukuoka from 1st-31st October 2024, with the main events taking place during the week of October 22nd-31st. If you’re considering coming along, you can book your tickets through my personal referral link to grab a 20% off discount. It’s going to be an inspiring month packed with creativity, learning, and connection—not to mention plenty of sushi—so don’t miss out!
Why Japan Means So Much to Me
Some of you who’ve followed my work for a while might know that Japan holds a very special place in my heart. It’s not just a country I love—it’s where my illustration journey really began. Back in 2007, I studied Illustration at Nagoya University of the Arts (as part of my BA Illustration degree from Falmouth University). That experience completely changed the trajectory of my career—and honestly, my life. Japan’s art, culture, and aesthetics have influenced my work in countless ways, and now, nearly two decades later, returning feels like everything is coming full circle.
A Sneak Peek of My Upcoming Adventures
After my time at Colive Fukuoka, I’m excited to share that I’ll be spending two weeks in Kanazawa as part of an artist’s residency program. Kanazawa is a city renowned for its rich history, craftsmanship, and traditional arts, and during my residency, I’ll be collaborating with the local community to create a piece of artwork in partnership with local businesses. I can't wait to immerse myself in the creative culture of Kanazawa and work alongside the talented people there.
Additionally, I’ll be making a special trip to the Noto Peninsula, a region that was sadly hit by a devastating earthquake earlier this year. I’ll be exploring how I can support the local community in their recovery efforts—especially in terms of how we, as creatives, can uplift and strengthen local businesses through art and collaboration. I’ve always believed in the power of art to bring people together, so I’m excited to see what opportunities arise from this visit.
Coming Full Circle
As I prepare to return to Japan, I’ve been reflecting on how much this country has shaped my creative journey. From studying in Nagoya, to illustrating the cover of The Tokyoiter magazine in 2021 (now available as a limited edition print and featured at Stay Section L hotel in Tokyo), to being invited back to Japan as a speaker and artist—Japan has been a constant source of inspiration to me, both personally and professionally. And it seems like this connection only continues to grow stronger.
If you’re going to be in Japan this October, please come say hi at Colive Fukuoka! And stay tuned for updates on my creative projects and collaborations in Kanazawa and Noto. Thank you, as always, for following along on this exciting journey!
Love,
Molly x
About Colive Fukuoka
● Date: 1st - 31st October 2024
● Main Week: 21st - 27th October 2024
● Location: Various locations throughout Fukuoka City and Kyushu
● Details and Registration: https://colivefukuoka.com (Free registration)
● Organizers: Fukuoka City / Planning and Operation by yugyo Inc.
● Partner Companies and Organizations: Nomad University, Japan Digital Nomad
Association, Japan Workation Association, RoccaN Inc., ELENTO LLC
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