Creativity Found: Finding Creativity Later in Life

Susan Widlake studied Russian and Bulgarian at university. After that she turned to accountancy, even though she ‘didn’t really like maths that much’.   She travelled a lot for her work in the finance and pharmaceutical industries, but at the weekends she would enjoy sewing projects, and even had a little travelling craft box to dip into on train journeys. Susan is settled in the UK now, and has o...

What happens when everything you know comes to an end? As a member of two successful girl bands, Eve Horne came crashing back to normality when it all ended, and she had to figure out afresh who she was. In this episode Eve talks about losing her identity and struggling with depression – without knowing what that was – and how she hopes she can help girls and women who find themselves in a similar...

I am taking a break from releasing new episodes for the summer, BUT, I couldn't leave you with absolutely no Creativity Found positivity, so here is a cheeky little bonus episode, introducing you to some of the previous episodes that you might have missed.⁠ ⁠ CreativityFound.co.uk Instagram: @creativityfoundpodcast Facebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found group YouTube @creativi...

For this episode it's me. JUST me! I’ve got some book and podcast recommendations for your creative enjoyment, and a shout out to some of you lovely listeners who have made yourselves known to me. Links to the books and podcasts mentioned The Art of Creativity by Susie Pearl Conscious Creativity by Philippa Stanton Conscious Creativity: The Workbook by Philippa Stanton The Second Chapter podc...

When you leave university with a creative degree, what do you do next? Trying to forge a career in creative arts can involve working for free and hopping from placement to placement. Then as you start earning money and gain more responsibility your role becomes more about managing and coordinating than actually creating.  In this bonus episode I’m talking with Lauren Deakin, who has found her plac...

For this episode I’m speaking with Jonathan Self, who has travelled widely and seen what he describes as the best and worst of humanity. We’ll find out how being in New York on 9/11 helped him find purpose and encouraged his interest in photography, and how a walk in Devon sparked the idea for the first online photography and wellbeing course for children, Cultivating Wonder. CreativityFound.co.uk...

Lou Hamilton was living an idyllic and artistic life in Scotland when she witnessed the Lockerbie air disaster. Years later she realized that the trauma of that event was still within her, and she started to address that. Lou trained as a coach to help herself and others feel courage and confidence. Age 50, Lou was compelled to start drawing again, which led to her publishing two books (so far) an...

Studying at Guildhall School of Music and Drama is challenging and invigorating, rigorous and demanding, and the standard of tuition is world class. This episode’s guest studied there as a mature student, and is grateful for the experience, which burnt through her savings and tested her energy. Find out how Maxyne Ryan ticked that one off her bucket list, and what she did after that too. If you fo...

Looking for ways to explore your own creativity? Cass Sabo of Oxford Weaving Studio (see S1 Ep3) teaches weaving workshops for all ages. And she's also designed her own  Oxford Frame Loom.  Find out more, and check out a special discount from Cass at the end of the episode. If you found value in this episode and would like to show your appreciation, consider supporting the podcast through the...

Colour energy and art workshops for the blind and partially sighted Furrah Syed’s art is ALL about interaction. She creates heavily textured abstract art using acrylic and metallic paints, and even encourages ‘viewers’ to TOUCH her art. This extra sensory element has inspired her to develop art workshops for the blind and partially sighted, making her art and her art practice truly inclusive. If y...

Mark Deeks wants to shatter the myth that in order to play the piano you need to have started as a child, learnt scales and arpeggios and classical standards, and practised daily. He wants you to play piano for you, for your own enjoyment. He's even given podcast listeners a special discount for his Piano Startup Academy, which you'll find at the end of the episode. In this bonus podcast...

Louise Luton was a teacher for 20 years, but after realizing she was in burnout she took the difficult decision to leave the profession and embark on a new life with oil paints. If you found value in this episode and would like to show your appreciation, consider supporting the podcast through the Support the Show link, or by sending a boostagram , for example in the Fountain app . CreativityFound...

Jon Bond has trained in theatre studies and media arts, but during the lockdowns of Covid 19 has developed his own creative explorations through experimenting with photographic software. Doing so has kept him creatively active and helped him keep his mental health in check. If you found value in this episode and would like to show your appreciation, consider supporting the podcast through the Supp...

After not being accepted onto the university course she wanted to join, Jane Beinart lost her confidence in her art. Fast forward ten years and Jane made a return to art for herself, but also for others, since she helps grown-ups discover or re-discover ways to express themselves through art. If you found value in this episode and would like to show your appreciation, consider supporting the podca...

Cecilia Poullain has had a successful career in law and finance. When she started seeing a Gestalt therapist, she discovered a source of creativity that she has continued to explore, from writing short pieces in French, to writing (and performing) a one-woman show and now working on a novel. If you found value in this episode and would like to show your appreciation, consider supporting the podcas...

Before the multiverse: from Marvel UK to the brink of disaster. Andrew Wildman loved drawing as a child, and even while studying for a degree in graphic design all he really wanted to do was draw comics. It wasn't an industry that was easy to get into, so while working as a designer he spent his spare time putting together his portfolio of comic strip art and looking for a way in. His perseve...

This episode is ALL about Peter's experiences on The Great PotteryThrow Down . CreativityFound.co.uk Woburn Sands Clay at creativityfound.co.uk Instagram: @creativityfoundpodcast Facebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found group YouTube @creativityfoundpodcast Pinterest: @creativityfound Twitter: @creativityfoun Researched, edited and produced by Claire Waite Brown Music: Day Trips...

Peter White had a successful and busy engineering business, perhaps too busy. After falling ill he decided to make a big change in his life, taking himself away from the business and considering what to do next. Since then he has studied for a BA then an MA in ceramics, trained and worked as an art and design teacher, started his own pottery studio and become a much-loved and very successful conte...

Tara L Lacey loved drama activities at schools in Oxford and Trinidad, but put the performing arts to the side partway through her university career as she concentrated on becoming a lawyer.  Thankfully she took a brave step later in life and returned to the theatre, and is now an actor, director, producer and an educator.  If you found value in this episode and would like to show your appreciatio...

Adriana is a healthcare worker who finds her escape and creativity through urbex photography. When her son became more independent as he grew older, and after a bad day at work, Adriana bought a camera and hit the road. She explores abandoned buildings and takes atmospheric photos of places most people will never see. If you found value in this episode and would like to show your appreciation, con...

Debrah Martin took up writing by joining a course to help her through a very tough time in her life. She is now an award-winning author, and a mentor and teacher for others who want to explore creative writing. If you found value in this episode and would like to show your appreciation, consider supporting the podcast through the Support the Show link, or by sending a boostagram , for example in t...

Lesley Wildman loved her art foundation year, but was disappointed not to get into art college. It wasn’t until she decided to train to be a teacher that pursuing her artistic ambitions became a possibility once again. As a mature student aty the Royal College of Art, Lesley worked with glass rods in an attempt to push the boundaries of this material. But Lesley has never liked to be pigeon-holed,...

Richard Nicoll had a successful design career, which he loved. As his career became more business-oriented and less creative, he found himself in a bit of a creative hole. So he taught himself to play bass guitar (left-handed, even though he isn't left-handed - long story) and started writing songs influenced by his travels with work. If you found value in this episode and would like to show...

Finding fine art helped Morven Shortt find her feet. Starting in higher education in her fifties she says was hard, but very rewarding. Hear about how Morven took that step from mother to student, and about how she came to make art from waste materials, and how she wants to inspire and encourage others to explore their creativity, no matter what their age. If you found value in this episode and wo...

Phillipa James, photographer behind 100 Women of Oxford, dropped out of college, but returned to studies on an art foundation and on to moving image, which gave her a good, creative career in film and television. However, the film industry is not conducive to bringing up a family (at least when both parents are in it) so Philippa took on other roles while her children were growing. Feeling despond...