Do What You Love

Time for some more Monday morning ponderings… we are bringing back our ‘Thought for the week’ series after a little break. And we are going to kick off with this!

Baby, you’re a firework. You’d better believe it. Go out and light up that sky…

“I’ve added layers of colour and texture to my paintings and to my life, blending Flora’s techniques with my own unique artistic voice.” Dominique Hurley

More of the beautiful work from Bloom True in January 2013.

Do you want to access your inner creativity, feel more connected to your life and feel confident to express your true self on canvas? Bloom True might just be for you. Take a look at these paintings created by participants of the class and find out more here.

“I loved the freedom and joy that I got from taking this class. I had wanted to paint larger paintings for a long time but really didn’t even know where to begin. I feel like I’m just at the beginning of a long journey that I can’t wait to take. It’s been invigorating, I’ve loved every minute.”  Jennifer Orkin Lewis

“Thanks so much for this fantastic class”  Roslyn Riley

“I am so happy with  Flora’s class.  I was able to create an intuitive painting while still staying true to my own style!” Debbie McCulley. 

“Now I can give myself room to really B-R-E-A-T-H-E and allow my authentic voice as an artist to be heard.  My paintings are becoming stronger and deeper than ever before!” Pamela Anne Cisneros

“This is my painting “springtime”. I never paint flowers but somehow these emerged on the painting. I guess I really long for spring to arrive after a long and grey winter because this came from within.  This course has been a beautiful and very special journey. ” Anja Berkers

Babi Sugarman

“I’m so grateful to have been a part of the Bloom True Journey. Learning to be brave and to let go is the best advice ever.” Mette Hummel Gabrielsen

“Thank you for the wonderful experience in the world of art. I have never painted before in my life -  these e-course  told me a lot about my soul.  I am very glad to got this wonderful impressions for all levels of live.” Monika Herzfeld

 ”This painting took many twists and turns, transforming from utter chaos to a serene and quiet place.  The ecourse was so much fun and a great learning experience.” Cynthia Anne Brown

“I learned so much about moving paint around the canvas from Flora’s class.  I’ll continue to practice all thanks to Flora!” John Treeful

“Where did this painting come from?  Glad I opened to receive it.  Amazing course. ” Laurel Valli

Bloom True is extraordinary – join us and experience it for yourself. The next class begins May 27 2013. Register now.

Today’s Do What You Love interview is with Tara Leaver, a self-taught artist exploring the exciting possibilities of paint from her home studio based in Brighton in the UK. I first met Tara when she came on the inaugural Do What You Love retreat back in 2011, and have been following her journey ever since. Tara has just self-published a new book ‘Creative Spark: {re}Igniting your Creativity with Everyday Wisdom‘ and I talked to her about the story behind this book, and how her battle with depression has brought her to a place where she is now doing what she loves, every day.

As an energy worker and creative guide, Tara uses her experiences with art making, her intuitive gifts and her knowledge of energy healing to encourage and support courageous souls on the journey back to their creative selves in her Creative Spark Sessions, run from her light filled studio. ‘Creative Spark: {re}Igniting your Creativity with Everyday Wisdom’ distils these sessions into a life and creativity manual for those who can’t make it in person but still want to find and nurture their own creative sparks.

PS Read through to the end to find out details of Tara’s giveaway!  THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED! WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS HERE ON THE BLOG NEXT WEEK.

‘I will hold the world’ by Tara Leaver

1. How are you leading a life ‘doing what you love’?

Two of my greatest loves in this life, art and the sea, are now a part of my daily life. I live just a minute’s walk from the beach in a light and airy flat with sea views and a dedicated art studio so I can work from home; it’s a dream come true. With the advantages that come with living in such a creative and alternative city, I can also fulfil two of my other lifelong dreams; developing my understanding of energy work and combining it with my creativity to be of service to others in finding their own unique creative spark.

2. What did you do before this?

Like many people I have done various things before finding and creating the conditions ~ both within and without ~ that enabled me to put long time dreams and ideals into practice. One of the side effects of having a good education often means you get indoctrinated with the belief you can’t make a living from creativity outside certain limited areas, so my route has been circuitous. I’ve done various deeply unsatisfying office and shop jobs {where I discovered I am never going to be a nine to five girl}, and I ran my own online ethical gifts business for three years. I’ve worked with children on and off since I was a teenager, and was a Montessori teacher for several years which I loved.

‘Move’ by Tara Leaver

3. What was your a-ha moment that pushed you to change / realise your passion in life?

I’d say it was more a string of moments than one defining one. I always had these vague but persistent ideas about combining creativity and helping people, but I didn’t know how they would manifest in my life, and for a long time I felt unqualified to even begin to explore that. I experienced depressive episodes for most of my life which impacted on any creative progress, but the dreams remained and reappeared when I came out of that dark time. I think that all the choices I made, and all the things that have happened, have been components for building the life I have now. Without losing my own creativity and carving my own path to rediscover it by following my instincts and intuition, I would not be in a position to help others on their own paths back to their creative selves.

4. How did you make it happen?

I think it was partly because this is who I am so it’s a dream I always return to, and partly because of the choices I made along the way. I always had a feeling that the desire to mix service with creativity would come together when it was ready, but it was on the back burner for a long time. In the meantime, I kept walking forward, trying things and discarding them if they weren’t right for me {not always as fast as I might have!}. When I moved to Brighton I found a Tai Chi teacher and Reiki master who has since become my mentor for navigating through life. Without her I absolutely would not be where I am now ~ depression free, back inhabiting my creative self on a daily basis, more balanced and stable than I’ve ever been, and finally with roots that enable me to offer myself in service using the gifts that come naturally to me.

‘Sacral’ by Tara Leaver

5. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

The depression for sure. I was undiagnosed for a really long time and just thought there was something horrendously wrong with me, and that everyone else knew a secret about how to live that I didn’t. The thing about depression is it numbs out all joy, including creative joy, so for several years I wasn’t making art, was living a very ‘surface’ life and wasn’t connected to myself at all. The journey back to myself has not been easy but is worth every step; I’m still on it of course but now I am much more in tune with myself and that has allowed my creativity to blossom. I went through all the therapy and medication like many people do, and while some helped, it never seemed to stick after I stopped. The one thing that has been healing in a real and lasting way has been working with my mentor; I am now a Reiki master and practice Tai Chi every day, I have a stronger connection to source and to myself, and that impacts in a miraculous way on every area of my life. Living by the sea, which I find so healing in itself, and taking the time to explore my creativity has helped immeasurably too.

6. What is the best advice you have received?

‘Be yourself’. It sounds so simple and it’s bandied about a great deal as if it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. In fact I think it’s easy to misinterpret it. I would adjust it to ‘Be your Self’. It can take a long time to find out who that is beyond conditioned patterns of behaviour. I’m still discovering that myself, but I do know that when I am in Flow, when I come from a place of expansiveness and clarity, the Self that I am connects more deeply and meaningfully with others in ways I could never predict, and that in doing that others feel seen and validated and therefore safe to venture into things. It’s very powerful. When I went to the Do What You Love retreat, I found a little note in my goodie bag saying ‘You are more powerful than you know’. I have it up on my notice board as a reminder that being my Self is where my power lies.

‘Alignment’ by Tara Leaver

7. What keeps you awake at night?

Ideas! I am always scrabbling about in the dark for paper and pencil; the ideas that come at night invariably disappear by morning. Also the self-worth thing; it’s a hallmark of depression but I actually think we all have it to some degree. It’s part of the ego’s attempts to keep us safe, misguided as they are. As much as I know that I am creating a life that reflects who I am and allows me room to breathe and flourish within that, I of course have fears and doubts like anyone else. What if I’m actually not that good at what I do? What if no one is interested? Is it really of value? I like that Marianne Williamson quote that is floating around a lot these days, about how hiding our own light serves no one.  It’s a good reminder that every single one of us has something to offer from the uniqueness of who we are; if you really take that on board, it removes any need for self -doubt and excuses! What you have and can do, no one else has and can do in the way you can, and that makes it instantly valuable.

8. And what gets you up in the morning?

Knowing I can construct my days according to my needs, the freedom that gives me, knowing my art studio is upstairs ready for me to go and play in, and that I am finally able to do work that is meaningful to me and adds value to others. Living on the surface of life was very damaging for me; now that I am embracing the part of me that wants to go deep and long, as opposed to shallow and wide, life becomes much more exciting and full of potential.

9. How did your book come about? 

I’ve always loved words and writing, and I always wanted to write a book. When I was younger I knew I needed more life experience if I was going to write something worth reading, so it went on the back burner with the other dreams. While I was developing the idea for the Creative Spark Sessions last year, I just suddenly sat down one day and started writing. I wrote every day for ten days, and that was the bulk of it down. It just poured out.

I decided to go the self-publishing route for various reasons; partly because I am not a known or established artist or author and it was kind of an experiment, partly because the book is quite small, and partly overwhelm about what was involved in approaching publishing houses! I know someone who uses CreateSpace to self-publish their books, and after looking into Lulu and Blurb it seemed like the best option. It was a steep learning curve, and without the help of Pauline Leger, my graphic designer, I would have been lost in terms of designing the cover and layout of the book, which are key, especially in a book about creativity which is so visual. It also helps to have someone to discuss ideas with and keep your spirits up when things get tricky! I wouldn’t say self-publishing is a simple process but CreateSpace are very helpful, and a greater understanding of the technical side of things than I have is going to help you a great deal. If you’re prepared for meeting all obstacles with optimism and patience, and for the process to take a lot longer than you imagined, you’ll navigate it much more easily. {Feel free to apply that to life too!}

10. Who is your book for? What do you want your book to do for them?

‘Creative Spark‘ caters to three main types of people {they can overlap}; those who don’t consider themselves creative at all but feel something is missing, those who harbour secret desires to explore their creativity but are nervous about it, and those who are already on their creative path but have perhaps lost their way or find themselves in a rut.

My desire is to show how ‘being creative’ is nothing to do with being able to draw, which many people seem to believe; it is so much more than that. My experience has shown me that everyone is creative in their own unique ways; it’s actually not that big a deal, it’s simply the nature of being human, and it gives me such joy to be able to share that with people who are afraid or unsure or overwhelmed by what’s possible. It lights people up to discover parts of themselves that not only did they not know were there, but that they also really like, and it’s a privilege to be able to witness that and encourage it. The book offers support, ideas, inspiration, and everyday grounded wisdom that applies to both creativity and life. I cover the issues I’ve found come up repeatedly around the area of creativity, such as resistance, time, how to make it work for the way your life is set up, self-doubt, fear and all the best ways I’ve found to help move through these to inspiration. I believe that the best ideas work across the board, and I have certainly found that the lessons I learn in day to day life translate to the canvas and vice versa.

***GIVEAWAY!*** Tara is kindly giving away a free copy of her lovely new book

TO ENTER: Just leave a comment underneath this interview saying why YOU need to reignite your creativity, and how you think this book will help you do that!

DEADLINE: 12 noon GMT on Saturday May 11 2013.  THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED! WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS HERE ON THE BLOG NEXT WEEK.

NOTES:  The winner will be chosen at random from the comments left below this post by the deadline. Do What You Love’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The prize is non-transferable and there is no cash alternative. This competition is open to anyone from any country over 18 years of age. The winner will be announced on this blog next week. Thank you and good luck!

All images courtesy of Tara Leaver. Find out more about Tara on her website or blog, or connect on Facebook or Instagram (@taraleaver). You can see her online shop here and buy her new book here.

Click here for more interviews with inspiring people doing what they love.

Today’s extra special Do What You Love interview is with someone I hugely admire and have been working with behind-the-scenes for 18 months – Lilla Rogers, one of the top art agents in the world. Together we have created Make Art That Sells, PLUS a very special new project which launches next week (details revealed below!)  As part of my birthday giveaway we are giving away a FREE place on Part A of this exciting course. See the end of the interview for details!  THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED! WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS HERE ON THE BLOG NEXT WEEK.

Lilla is the founder of Lilla Rogers Studio, a visionary art agency that represents artists from around the world. An accomplished illustrator and painter herself, she has been in the business for over three decades. The Studio’s client list includes Crate & Barrel, Pier One, Land of Nod, Chronicle, the New York Times, Moda, Blue Q, Crate & Barrel, Paperchase, and hundreds more.

The Studio represents some of the most sought-after artists worldwide and has licensed their artwork on a huge variety of products, such as bathing suits, teacups, scrubs, bathmats, puzzles, piggybanks, clocks, paper lanterns, children’s books, wall décor, and much more.

I talked to Lilla about how she got here, where she is going, and what is behind her mission to ‘create brilliant careers for talented artists’.

1. How are you leading a life ‘doing what you love’?

What’s so great about my work is that I get to do such a vast array of things, such as working with my brilliant artists and Studio Ladies who I adore, strategising promotionals, discovering new technologies, selecting the very best next artists to represent, finding lucrative new art markets and clients, studying trend and creating trend reports for my artists, and schmoozing with some of the best art directors in the business.  I had to create the job for me; it wasn’t out there waiting for me! Plus I’m the kind of person that needs a lot of freedom in my daily life.  I like to work various hours – sometimes I work really, really hard and sometimes I take more time for myself.  I wanted a ‘job’ where I could work at home while raising my kids, whilst having very rewarding creative work.

2.  What is your mission statement?

To create brilliant careers for very gifted artists.

Some of Lilla’s illustration jobs

3. What was you a-ha moment that pushed you to realise your passion in life?

Some pivotal events:

-In my early twenties: I was a middle school art teacher in Pennsylvania but after 3 years I knew I had to leave and take the risk of trying to make it as an artist. I gave up tenure and moved from the East coast of the USA to the West coast. I was scared but determined.

- I was studying painting at the Art Institute in San Francisco, but when I saw what was happening in illustration at the Academy of Art in San Francisco, I fell in love and switched gears – and schools – and pursued an MFA in Illustration.

- Although I was living in dreamy San Francisco, I knew I had to move to New York City to make it as an illustrator, which I did.  Scary, but it all worked out and was a dream come true

- After a decade as a very busy full-time freelance illustrator and a teacher, one day one of my students said, “Why don’t you become our agent?” and it was like a bolt of lightening hitting me.  I felt as though it was an inevitability; it was as if I had no choice.  It was just meant to happen, even though it didn’t make sense and wasn’t part of my “big plan”.  I loved the idea and dove right in.  My illustration business boot-strapped the agency in the beginning!  I can’t tell you how happy the business makes me!  I’m very challenged and never bored.

- Recently, after about 18 years as an agent and as my kids were getting ready to leave the nest, out of the blue I was offered a book deal and an e-course deal.  Working on these are my new passions! It’s as though everything I know has led me to this point, and now I can help tons more artists on a larger scale.

5. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

When you’re type A, you like to give 110%, which is great for achieving success, but can wear you out at times. The challenge is knowing when to give 110% and when to give less.  I do like delegating to my staff.  I trust them.  And I constantly prioritise, make lists, and organise. I must continually balance my worklife with other facets of life. Now I’m at the point where exciting opportunities come along very often and I know I can’t do them all, even though I would love to!  It’s a great problem to have, and I’m grateful.

6. What is the best advice you have received?

Get more help!

7. What keeps you awake at night?

That varies over the years.  But as a mother, worrying about my kids can keep me up.

8. And what gets you up in the morning?

Having to get to my trainer and yoga three mornings a week, and driving my daughter to school!  But I know what you mean.  What gets me up in the morning is the variety of very cool projects that I get to work on.  I’m at the point in my career where I only work on what I do best and what I really want to do.

Filming for Make Art That Sells

9. How has the experience of creating the e-course Make Art That Sells been for you? What do you want your course to do for the people who take it?

I absolutely am in love with creating this course (see below for your chance to win a free place!).  After three decades in the business of helping artists achieve amazing art careers and getting them work they never knew existed I have so much to share.  My mission has always been to help creative people succeed, and this allows me to do so on a massive scale.

I particularly love inspiring artists and creating course content.  Let me give you some examples of the juicy awesomeness in the course:

* Every week there is a professional level assignment tailored for a particular market, and I review all work and provide critique to a handful – this is shared in class so everyone can learn from each other

* Interviews with art buyers like Anthropologie, Chronicle, and PaperChase sharing what kind of art they buy and how they find it.  Amazing, right?

* Interviews with my highly-sought-after artists sharing what their day-to-day life is like (and some tricks of the trade!)

* Terrific, fresh assignments specifically geared to help artists land new work

* Weekly videos with me in my Studio showing you tons of great products and inspiration

* A ton of downloadable PDFs full of helpful information like time management for creative people

* Really fun and inspiring mini assignments on Mondays to get you ready for the big assignment on Wednesday and lots more.

10. What is next for you?  

Get ready to freak out (in a good way!)…

After working on this intensely for some time, Beth and I are incredibly excited about our second collaboration – next week we will launch…

…a Global Talent Search for hot new art talent!

We’ll provide a series of art challenges over the course of several weeks, and there will be several rounds of judging.

The winner wins a two-year contract for representation by Lilla Rogers Studio, plus a number of awesome licensing agreements!

This is sure to blast an artist’s career into the stratosphere.  We already have some of our art director clients wanting to get their hands on our winner! We formally launch on May 14 but you can get on the waiting list here to be the first to hear!

11.  Anything else you want to add?

I hope my story inspires others to go after what they really want.

All images courtesy of Lilla Rogers. Find out more about Lilla on her website, or connect on Facebook or Twitter. Find out more and register for Make Art That Sells here, buy her book ‘I Just Like To Make Things’ here or get on the waiting list for the Global Talent Search here!

GIVEAWAY! One free place on Part A of Make Art That Sells (online course begins June 3 2013) – prize worth £379 (over $500)!

We are giving away a free place on our brand new online course ‘Make Art That Sells’, which begins on June 3 2013. If you would like to learn how to make more commercially viable art while staying true to yourself then this course is for you. After three decades in the business Lilla has so much to share and she does it generously throughout this course. You will get professional level creative assignments each week, tailored to a particular market, and Lilla will review every single piece of work submitted. She will also offer critique of a handful of pieces each week and share this in class so everyone can benefit. If you are serious about a flourishing career in art, this is for you!

TO ENTER: Check out the course here and leave a comment below this interview saying which of the five markets covered in Part A is most interesting to you and why, and tell us why this course would be so great for your art career right now. Please leave your full name and country in the comment box along with your response.

DEADLINE: The deadline for entries is 12 noon GMT on Saturday 11 May 2013.  THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED! WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS HERE ON THE BLOG NEXT WEEK.

NOTES: The winner will chosen at random from valid entries and will be announced next week! If you have already registered for the course and win, then you will have your class fee refunded. Do What You Love’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The prize is non-transferable and there is no cash alternative. This competition is open to anyone from any country over 18 years of age. Thank you and good luck!

GOOD LUCK!

‘Transform’ Flora Bowley

Flora Bowley and I are doing a giveaway with a difference today. We are offering TEN free spots in our upcoming e-course Bloom True, but to enter you have to nominate someone else! We want to give away these ten spots to ten kind, thoughtful, generous souls who could benefit from a five-week painting and life adventure.  THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED! WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS HERE ON THE BLOG NEXT WEEK.

Here are a few things previous participants have said about the course:

“Be ready for it and Flora will bring it to you! Freedom you never knew you had with art!! And it brings something out in you that you thought you had but were never sure!”

“Brilliant, invaluable for those on a creative journey, a “must-do’ if you are stuck and want to move yourself to a higher creative level.”

“Mindblowing! If you are willing to let go, to really stop and listen to what your own heart is telling you, you will be amazed at what blooms true. Do it!”

 “I would highly recommend the class to anyone interested in a holistic embracing life changing experience, it’s not just about painting but a great place to start if you’re new to painting.”

“This course has impacted so many areas of my life and just the way I experience and respond to each day. I feel more ‘aware’ and definitely more BRAVE (I’m getting there, anyway!). I’ve been inspired, encouraged and nourished. I’ve begun to learn how to let go, be bold and to embrace joy and to trust my own creative process.”

Do any of those things make you think of a particular person who could really benefit from this course because of what has been going on in their life recently? Or someone who you know is creatively stuck and wants to explore intuitive painting and a new kind of creative freedom? Or perhaps someone who has just been really kind to you, who really deserves it? If so please read on…

The prize: Ten individual spots in Bloom True the e-course (runs for 5 weeks from May 23 2013, delivered online*)

*Please note the prize does not include materials which must be gathered by the person taking the course.

How to enter: Check out the course website to find out more about it, and then leave a comment below, telling us about you and your nominee and why they deserve/need Bloom True.

Deadline: 12 noon GMT on Saturday 11 May 2013.  THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED! WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS HERE ON THE BLOG NEXT WEEK.

Notes: The winner will be chosen by Flora Bowley based on the comments left below this post. Flora’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The prize is non-transferable and there is no cash alternative. This competition is open to anyone from any country over 18 years of age. The winner will be announced on this blog next week. Thank you and good luck!

Me and my BFF Heather heading off on my hen do a few weeks back (more on that coming soon!)

Hello 36! It’s my birthday today, and I am celebrating with my bestest buddy and our two fellas. We were born on the same day (honestly!) and used to always celebrate together, but this will be the first time in several years we have got together on our joint birthday and I cannot wait.

The weather forecast is for glorious sunshine, and the sea is calling. I am hoping today will be full of laughter and fun as we enter into our ‘late thirties’.

A year ago today my man proposed, and ever since this last year has been such a huge one in my life (sabbatical on the other side of the world, wedding, honeymoon and all sorts of other adventures). But as so much of that is coming up on the blog in the next few weeks instead, today I am just going to say this:

(1) I feel happier in my life right now at 36 than I ever have

(2) I am grateful for so much – family, friends, shiny new husband, adventures, business, YOU and more

(3) I want you to celebrate with me, so all this week I am doing some crazy giveaways here on the blog. Here’s what’s coming up:

TUESDAY: Giving away TEN free places on Bloom True with Flora Bowley!

WEDNESDAY: Giving away a free place on Part A of Make Art That Sells with Lilla Rogers! (plus a fab interview with Lilla that you don’t want to miss!)

THURSDAY: Giving away a free copy of Tara Leaver’s new book ‘Creative Spark: (re)igniting your creativity with everyday wisdom’ (and I share a great interview with Tara too)

All these giveaways will be open from the time they are posted until 12 noon GMT on Saturday 11 May 2013, so be sure to check in every day and enter! You can enter as many of them as you like. GOOD LUCK and happy birthday me!

“I loved painting this, with all those new lovely colors.” Bente Kjeldsen

We are so excited to showcase some of the gorgeous work that emerged from the January 2013 class of Bloom True.

Do you want to access your inner creativity, feel more connected to your life and feel confident to express your true self on canvas? Bloom True might just be for you. Take a look at these paintings created by participants of the class and find out more here.

Bloom True is extraordinary – join us and experience it for yourself. Class begins May 27. Register now.

“This is more than a class on technique…it is about using your intuition in your art and in your daily life….life-changing.” Connie Jeffrey

Line Jordan Bank

“This painting must have about 8 or 9 layers.  The humming bird is little bird I rescued one day as he kept trying to fly into my studio.  So many layers covered all the drips and other items I had originally tried to follow in Flora’s painting lessons but somehow my brush took over. ” Liz Lawrence

“Although I didn’t have any idea of what would show up in my painting (fish- really?!), I love the result, and embraced the process of what it took for me to get there.”  Valerie Rosenthal Hebert

“I loved every challenge in the birthing of this piece, and marveled in the end as “Gathering energy from the tree of life” was born” Angela Murray

“Blue on Blue” born from colors which I normally shy away from, and yet colors which speak my truth from deep within.  I feel reborn.” Marti Torres

“Eve’s Garden” – A nude female torso emerges in a garden, plump snake rises up to her left, abundant red symbolizes the divine feminine life force.” Suzanne Benjamin

“letting go of my tightly held brush, and my need to know. I let life flow into and out of me onto the canvas…I am changed forever.” Colleen Talbot

“Many changes, many layers of paint, many struggles with brush and mind, definitely created the piece I feel speaks most true to me.” Emily Mitchell

“Magical — the process, the e-course, the results. I never imagined I could ever create a painting like this, yet I did! Thanks, Flora, for sharing your magic.” Gwendolyn Johnson

Bloom True is extraordinary – join us and experience it for yourself. Class begins May 27. Register now.

You know when you have been away from something for a while, and things have piled up, and somehow you need to attack the mountain but just can’t bring yourself to do it? That’s what it feels like with blogging right now. I have SO much to share with you after an incredible few weeks off for my wedding and honeymoon – we were showered with love and I don’t know enough ways to say thank you to so many different people. But somehow it is hard to know where to begin!

So I am going to ease myself in gently with this little musing about gardening, and tell myself that I’m not really procrastinating about sharing everything else…

Last summer brought so much rain to the North of England that our garden became an explosion of green. The black bamboo has gone wild and shoots way up into the sky. The wisteria has climbed thick across the canopy which hangs over our little sunken table. And there are lots of (pretty) weeds around. So we decided to do some gardening – starting with getting rid of the old water feature put in by the previous owners of the house, and replacing it by a sawn-off beer barrel filled with pink and white pansies.

Doing physical work in the garden felt so good – I loved picking away at the earthy compost with radio tunes wafting through the air. I felt like I had earned my achy back, and the cups of tea tasted even better outside.

I think the thing I liked the best was the fact that my head pretty much emptied of anything while I was working with the soil. My head is normally a very busy place, so it was a kind of meditation to me.

I have to confess I know very little about gardening, but I would love to learn more. Our neighbours are fantastic, dedicated gardeners who spend hours and hours plucking and trimming, sweeping and nurturing, and their garden looks gorgeous as a result. Maybe this can be a new hobby for me in the years ahead? Anything that wears the body but relaxes the brain sounds like a good tonic to me.

Are you green fingered? What is it you love about gardening? Any top tips for a novice like me?

Paper and illustration obsessive Clare Shields established stationery and homeware brand Lil3birdy in 2011.  Naïve in style, the products aim to stir up imagination and fun into the home.  All the designs started life from Clare’s London studio as ink drawings and are developed into a range of desirable products. Everything is manufactured in England and ethically sourced, and all paper products are made from renewable resources. I talked to Clare about growing her business, overcoming challenges and what gets her up in the morning.

1.     How are you leading a life ‘doing what you love’?

I run Lil3birdy from my home studio on my own, I do everything from designing and production to PR and marketing.

2.     What did you do before this?

Before I set up Lil3birdy, I worked for a short while as a freelancer designing textile prints for several international design studios.  Previously, I worked in luxury fashion marketing for two years.

3.     What was your a-ha moment that pushed you to change / realise your passion in life?

I’ve dreamt of working for myself and creating something of my own since my student years in textile design.  After graduating I felt I needed a bit of time to learn about how a creative company operates before I went alone.  After three years of industry experience I felt ready to work on a product range of my own.

4.     How did you make it happen?

In the beginnings of Lil3birdy I made my own products at home.  I was making greeting cards, postcards and gift tags at this point.  I would print and cut everything, which was very time consuming but it was a cheap and convenient way to get started and experiment with ideas.  In order to test the response of the public and market my first design range, I signed up to some London markets in summer 2011.  I also opened an Etsy.com shop.  My debut market was Of Cabbages & Kings in North London, which is an established designer/maker market.  After a successful first season of sales, I was given the opportunity to meet with some buyers from House of Fraser for their new Mary Portas concession and they placed a wholesale order.  Since then I’ve been building up my stockists list and promoting my growing online shops.

5.     What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge through out this journey has been to find good quality manufacturers in the UK.  I have experienced many disastrous product runs and after many orders with different companies I’ve established some fantastic contacts with manufacturers whom I hope to continue using.

6. Who is your role model and why?

I don’t aspire to a particular person but admire people who have worked hard to make a successful and rewarding career from their craft.

7. What is the best advice you have received?

Try everything

8. What keeps you awake at night?

Ideas I have for the business

9. And what gets you up in the morning?

Knowing I have a plan for the day.  I list all my tasks for the year, month and week in advance.

10. What is the big dream for your business?

My future plans for the business is to exhibit at a trade show in 2014 to meet more retailers and establish a larger collection of Lil3birdy stockists.  As well as my current stationery and homeware products, I would like to expand the product range to educational gifts for small children.

All images courtesy of Clare Shields. Find out more about Clare on her website or connect on Facebook or Twitter.

Click here for more interviews with inspiring people doing what they love.

Wow, what an incredible few weeks it has been. First the wedding (amazing, so much fun!) and then the honeymoon (dreamy, wonderful) and now my new husband has quit his job to work for Do What You Love!!!

I have so much to tell you, and so much exciting news to share, but I am going to do it bit by bit.

Firstly – my new name! I am now called Mrs Beth Kempton! I think it will take me a couple of years to get used to it…

I hope you will excuse me if I am a little self-indulgent over the next few weeks, sharing lots of pictures from our honeymoon in Italy and then of the big day itself (those pictures are due in the next couple of weeks – can’t wait!).

It was such a treat to take 5 weeks off to focus on this precious time, and I look forward to reflecting on all the details of it on this blog over the coming weeks.

We have a brand new website and lots more exciting news coming in June, but until then, forgive me for making this place wedding central!

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For any of you looking to spring into Spring with a creative course, Module 1 of The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design ‘Designing your way’ starts on Monday. Find out more and register here!

And if you are more advanced in your designs and want to start making money from your work, Module 3 ‘Monetising your designs’ could be right up your street. This course also starts on Monday. Find out more and register here!