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Do What You Love interview – Danni Nicholls

Posted on 2016-10-06 at 8:55 am.

We’re thrilled to bring you this interview with Danni Nicholls, a brilliant young American-influenced British-born singer songwriter who is consciously and courageously forging a life doing what she loves.

Danni, who has been gigging since the age of 16, has produced two critically acclaimed albums with bassist/producer Chris Donohue, A Little Redemption in July 2013 and Mockingbird Lane, October 2015. Both are stunning and feature some of Nashville’s finest musicians on their tracks.

Armed with her trusty Tanglewood parlour guitar, Danni has been touring far and wide, honing her craft and wowing audiences with performances that melt your heart into the soles of your cowboy boots. Enjoy the interview! ~ Rachel

1. How are you doing what you love?

For as long as I can remember music has been my biggest passion. Even when I was really small, if there was music on it would be the only thing I could focus on, I’d tear around playing air guitar to rock ‘n’ roll music. The emotions and energy I got from listening to music was addictive and stayed with me. I knew I wanted to build a life around it pretty early on and felt that if I could learn an instrument I could pass some of that good stuff on and that it would probably also feel amazing. Which it does!

2. Tell us a little about your journey to here…

On a family holiday to Florida aged 8 I saw a jazz trio playing on a street corner and was totally mesmerised. I became obsessed with a) jazz music b) playing the saxophone. I hounded my parents for one until they finally relented! I loved being part of school bands and getting to travel – we went on little tours in France and Spain. Playing the saxophone taught me discipline and gave an insight into how much fun a life of music could be!

One day my Grandmother brought something wrapped in old bin liners down from the loft and presented it to me. I was 16 and inside was my great uncle Heathcliffe’s old electric guitar. A Burns London Shortscale Jazz Guitar from 1963 to be precise. She’s a beauty. After about a while, learning odd chords here and there from people I could string a few together and immediately started putting lyrics to them. I found it incredibly cathartic. I never could keep a diary but found all my thoughts and feelings starting to pour out in song form. About that time I started listening to lots of singer songwriters like Eva Cassidy, Carole King, Norah Jones and Sarah Mclachlan. Those ladies were so inspirational. I started performing my songs in school assemblies and concerts and got a giant buzz from it. A friend had a studio so I made an album. I cringe listening back to it now but I was pretty bold, had good feedback and felt really supported so I just ploughed on and the songs thankfully improved! I sold the album to friends, family and teachers. That was my first experience of making money from my music. It felt GOOD!

Danni Nicholls in Studio one Recording in Studio One

I guess that was the seed planted of it being a possible option as a career. I was, at the time dead set on being an actress and pursued that through a university theatre degree until in my final year, having gigged my way through uni, I decided that actually, music was the right path for me and I’ve dedicated myself to making it work ever since. I haven’t had that ‘big break’ like you see in the movies but a key moment in my career was meeting producer Chris Donohue. He is based in Nashville where we recorded both albums. Chris is hugely well respected and talented and a wonderful human – he really brought the best out in me and my music and I’ve grown hugely as an artist by working with him.

3. There are so many talented musicians out there who live for writing and playing and who long to make the big time. How do you turn dreams into reality?

I wish I knew the secret to success! I feel very lucky that I get to do this for a living but it’s been a really hard, long road (I think anything worth having or doing is) which continues, which has no end. That’s the beauty. I’ve done what I love solely for my living for 5 years now and for years part time before that making sacrifices along the way. I face and try to embrace the challenges it brings every day as well as relishing in the high moments like playing a great live gig or having someone message me to say they enjoy my album. In fact to keep going through the hard times makes those moments even sweeter. I think the key is to just keep on making your art, writing your songs, gig as much as possible, learn your craft, be as good as you can be, go out and meet people in the industry (‘networking’ is kind of a gross word but it’s so good to get to know people in the industry and collaborators). Embrace the hard work as well as all the great fun times! And be prepared for the ‘big break’ to happen as a result.

Danni Nicholls singer song writer MBL Cover

4. Tell us about your stunning new album, Mockingbird Lane. What are your aspirations for it and where can we hear it?

I recorded Mockingbird Lane in Nashville with the same producer and mostly the same team as my debut A Little Redemption. In the time between I experienced some big life shifts and heartbreak which really influenced my writing. Ok, ok it’s a break up album. But there’s lots of hope and positivity in it, as well as out and out tearjerkers! I’m really proud of it and feel like it’s my most assured work to date. I’m still touring the record and, of course, I’d love as many people as possible to hear it and connect with it. It’s out there available pretty much everywhere online, in some stores and through my website.

5. How does it compare to your first record, A Little Redemption? How have you grown musically, and as a person, since then?

Yes! For sure, I did a lot of growing between albums personally and musically. Working with the same team in Nashville helped me feel at ease and confident in the studio so that was great and I think that can be heard in the performance and writing. I think any big life event forces you to grow, look inside, take stock and adds to that pool of inspiration to draw from.

Danni Nicholls singer song writer ALR Album cover

6. You’re a huge fan of the term country/Americana music, is this how you’d describe your style and what kind of audience will it appeal to in the UK right now?

I grew up listening to old country music so when that started really creeping into my songs I would call it country but now I feel like ‘Americana’ is more appropriate. I love and encompass many styles from blues and soul to folk and jazz in my music so that fairly wide umbrella seems to work best for me. It has always been there if you knew where to look but with the newly formed Americana UK association and so many great artists out there I think this is a hugely exciting time for Americana in this country and I truly believe it appeals to all ages as there’s such diversity within the genre.

Danni Nicholls with Guitars

7. You recorded both albums in Nashville. What do you love about the place and how does location in general influence your creative process?

There’s a crazy energy in Nashville. A great, buzzing energy which feels like it’s permeated with all the greatness of bygone artists and there’s so much new and exciting music being made now. Plus it’s just super cool. It’s where many of my heroes wrote and recorded – Patsy, Johnny, Elvis! I grew up hearing about the Grand ole Opry from my grandmother so there’s the nostalgia and romance for me too. It’s a city built on songs… what’s not to love? There are a lot of incredible writers and musicians in that city which was daunting but I also found it made me raise my game and pushed me. I’m always hugely inspired to write when I’m there and location is so important for my creativity – I can’t write just anywhere – so that’s a big reason why I keep being drawn back there.

8. Your first song on your first album, First Cuckoo of Spring, featured in the Season 7 premiere of Sons of Anarchy – amazing! How did this come about and how did you feel?

Ah, it felt pretty great! The director of the show, Kurt Sutter was in London doing a fan meet and greet and somehow my publishers got involved and asked me to come and play live to entertain the queueing crowd! It was a mighty queue – that show has some hard core fans. I met Kurt afterwards and he asked if I had a CD so I handed one over… a few months later we were asked if they could use First Cuckoo in a scene. It was totally surreal seeing it for the first time and I felt really proud.

9. Where do you do most of your writing and how does it happen? Can you share a little about your creative process?

Really – every song is different. Some come in a flash and some take years. I’ve been wondering if there’s a pattern to my writing but it’s pretty sporadic. Generally though I write in blocks, I’m quite compartmentalised! I can’t really write full new songs when I have my business head on, say if I’m working on a tour or release and I don’t really write when I’m on tour but saying that I do collect lyrical snippets and ideas often – mostly whilst sat on trains for some reason – so that when I do come into a creative period I have a pool of jumping off points to try to develop into full songs. I usually like to go away for these intense writing periods, either rent or borrow a place that’s quiet and beautiful with good walks where I can process and think without distraction.

I also love to co write. I try to dot co writes throughout the year to keep the creative juices flowing but usually will also travel to somewhere like Nashville for an intense week of co writing. I’ve recently just moved into a creative studio in my home town (check out #studioonebedford on Instagram) I’ve never had my own space to create separate from where I live and it’s already proving a great way to be more productive so I’m enjoying spending time here at the moment making new art.

Danni Nicholls singer song writer recording

10. You finished your UK tour earlier this year. How did it go and where were your favourite venues?

I’ve done a Spring and an Autumn tour this year and both went so great. Both tours were with accompaniment from the great guitarist Max Milligan – always fun to have a travel and stage buddy! One of the most memorable shows was also one of the smallest/most intimate in Nairn, Scotland in a little arts centre. Probably about 20 people but such a beautiful, warm, welcoming vibe and they were the most enthusiastic sing along-ers to date. Another really special show was in the beautiful, candle lit ‘Winemaker’s Club’ in London. A stunning, unique space in the railway arches and a full, lovely audience. At one point we unplugged and sang off mic as the acoustics were incredible, everyone sang along. Goosebump moment!

11. What makes you happiest: writing and recording a great album, or playing live?

That’s tough! If I really have to choose it would be playing live. That’s really where the magic happens; in the live human connection, interaction and exchange of energy. It’s a thrill.

12. What’s been the highlight of your musical career so far?

October 23rd 2015, the day Mockingbird Lane was released, on my own label, after all the work, after a long and challenging journey, was a big deal for me. The album launch party in London for MBL was an amazing night too. We played the whole album back to back with full band and I felt so much love and support from the audience. It really rounded everything off so perfectly.

Danni Nicholls singer song writer on stage

13. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
ALWAYS trust your gut instinct. Always.

14. What are your plans for the rest of the year, and longer term?

I’m going on a UK wide joint headline tour in November with the wonderfully talented Robert Vincent which I’m really excited about. Then I plan to dive into a creative zone over the winter writing new material. I can’t go long without playing live so there’ll be the odd show dotted about too. I’m just looking forward to seeing what new music comes out, hopefully forming it into another release and then seeing where that takes me!

Danni Nicholls Promo Pic singer songwriter

15. What’s your advice for anyone who isn’t doing what they love?

I heard this quote “everything you want is the other side of fear” and I tell it to myself often. I know going after what you want can be terrifying but I also know that the joy, pride and feeling of ‘this is right’ on the other side is SO worth it. If you have a dream, a burning desire – go after it and you will never regret trying. You will regret not trying.

Danni Nicholls Photo by Drew McLellan Image credit: Drew McLellan

For more information about Danni visit her website or connect via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For a list of Danni’s upcoming UK tour dates or to book tickets, click here. You can also check out Danni’s gorgeous soulful on iTunes.

On adventure and story-telling

Posted on 2016-10-04 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

This is a guest post by Alastair Humphreys. Alastair is an adventurer, blogger, author and motivational speaker whose expeditions have included cycling round the world, walking across India and rowing the Atlantic. Alastair was named as a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year for his pioneering work on the concept of micro adventures. He has also written five books about his adventures. Find out more here.

“I think the best way to succeed at all of this is to imagine that every Instagram photo is a precious plate photograph, that every Tweet is a polished chapter of a book, that every video on Facebook is a painting I had to sweat over for hours.”

Let me tell you a story…

(more…)

Do What You Love interview – Duncan Titmarsh

Posted on 2016-09-29 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today we speak to a man who has, quite possibly, the best job ever… Lego artist.

Duncan Titmarsh’s passion for designing and building Lego sculptures turned from a hobby to a commercial reality in 2008 when he became the only person in Britain to be officially recognised as a Lego Certified Professional by the famous Danish toy company.

From there Duncan made the decision to make his dream a reality and start his own business, Bright Bricks, which creates giant custom Lego structures. It has an impressive client portfolio, from Stella McCartney who commissioned a life-size tiger cub to a Phillips commissioned a giant toothbrush for a new product launch. We caught up with Duncan to find out how it feels to play with Lego for a living…

1. How did you end up in one of the most coveted jobs in the world?

I remember getting my first Lego set at the age of four and building throughout my childhood. I also won a Lego building competition when I was 11.

I stopped playing with Lego in my teenage years as I joined the Royal Air Force and went on to work in the building trade. However when my daughters started playing with Lego it rekindled my interest. In 1992 I remember walking through the toy section in Woolworths with my wife and stopping to look at the Lego. I told her how I spent hours playing with Lego as a child and she suggested that I buy a new set, so I did. I got so into it that I went and found my old Lego sets in my parent’s loft and I just kept building from there.

On a trip to Legoland, I met with other adult fans and became involved with The Brickish Association. Then one day I was invited to BBC Radio 4 to create a reconstruction of the Today programme’s studio. Following that I was called by someone and asked to build their building and that’s how my business began.

2. How did you become a certified Lego professional?

To become a Lego certified professional, you must have a business already. I didn’t know about the scheme when I first started Bright Bricks from my garden shed. I only found out because I built a big old yellow castle, a Lego set from 1978. I made the castle following the original instructions but I built each brick six times bigger. The people at Lego saw that and asked if they could have it at their Lego Idea House Museum in Denmark. So I went over there and found out about the programme, and I applied from there.

It’s every boy’s dream to play and work with Lego for the rest of their life – I love it.

3. As Founding Director of Bright Bricks, what does your role involve?

I was on my own at first, but now I have 30 staff. We spend our days building amazing sculptures from Lego bricks, running Lego building workshops in schools and creating custom mosaics.We also do trade shows and build on the trade stand. It’s now a full-time business based in our large workshop in Hampshire, UK.

Duncan with CNBC’s Louisa Bojesen – and her custom mosaic

A typical day starts with me checking my emails. I then go and see how the builds are coming along in the workshop I also deal with enquiries and schedule work. Primarily my time is spent dealing with clients and doing events. I also go out to schools a lot to speak to children about what we do. I really enjoy that part of my job.

I love working on new product launches, coming up with original promotional ideas and overcoming the challenges that building complex models brings but we also have pressures just like any other business, like getting everything done, staying ahead of the game and meeting tight deadlines.

A Lego engine for Rolls Royce

4. What are the best bits, and the worst bits, about what you do?

The best bit is standing back and looking a finished build and then seeing a client’s reaction to it. We also love putting a model into a public space and watching people’s reactions to it. The worst bit is the moment you realise a build is going to take way longer than you initially thought.

5. How do you take an idea from concept to reality? Can you talk us through the creative process of bringing a Lego design to life?

The design depends on the model. If it is a building then we will scale it and work out the dimensions and calculate the number of bricks we will need. When they are delivered, we get cracking. If we are building an animal we tend to use software to design it on. This then gives us a layer by layer plan of the build. Quite often we build around a steel frame as it makes the model easier to move, plus it covers us for all aspects of health and safety.

6. Tell us about your current projects…

We are currently building a mosaic for the new library in Slough, UK, which is due to open at the beginning of September. I can’t share details of our other projects because I’m bound by client confidentiality.

7. What have been your most memorable LEGO projects to work on to date?

We were especially proud of the world-record breaking 12-metre-tall Christmas Tree which went into St Pancras train station in 2011.

Balancing act: placing the star on the top of our Lego Christmas tree, St Pancras station

Some of our other projects include: a room-sized replica of Wembley Stadium; the James May Toy Story life-size house; a huge model of the London Olympic Park; a full-sized caravan for a show at Birmingham’s NEC; a giant train for Christmas in Covent Garden; a Scooby-Doo for Warner Bros to launch a new Lego set; Star Wars figures for The Force Awakens, a series of Lego London Underground maps showing how the Tube network has evolved over time and how it will look in 2020; plus many privately-commissioned portraits.

Scooby-Doo for Warner Bros

8. What’s the biggest, most complicated and most expensive design that you’ve ever been commissioned to create?

It’s actually a project we’ve just finished working on for Jaguar Land Rover which has set a new world record! It is a contemporary model of Tower Bridge to promote a new vehicle launch. The model is 40m long and the towers are 12 meters tall making it the largest LEGO model ever! It’s completely white, contains approximately 5.75 million bricks and has been built by a team of 20 staff who have worked on the project for two months. The big reveal will happen in a private location but afterwards Jaguar Land Rover will use the model in various locations.

9. If you had an unlimited supply of bricks and no time constraints, what would you build?

I’ve always wanted to build a full size London bus.

10. How many bricks do you use a month and what’s your favourite Lego element?

As a company, we usually order around a million bricks a month from Denmark. I like the 1 x 2 stud brick best; with that one size you can build almost anything.

Life-size Dr Who Tardis

11. Why is Lego still as popular as ever?

I think Lego has stood the test of time because it is so versatile and such a wonderful form of creative expression: the only limit is your imagination. Plus there’s that satisfying click when you fit bricks together. For anyone who wants to stretch their creative muscles I suggest thinking outside the box and trying something that you wouldn’t necessarily know how to build.

12. How does one become a Master Builder? What advice would you give someone who wants to turn their passion for Lego into a career?

Practise! If you don’t have lots of bricks don’t worry about colour; you’re looking to create the right shape so practise building curves from square bricks.

When hiring people, we look at their work ethic mainly, we choose people who are hardworking and committed, and those with an eye for detail.

For more information about Duncan and his Lego work visit the Bright Bricks website.

***

Meet me in New York or Helsinki? (10 inspiring, mind-expanding events for your calendar)

Posted on 2016-09-27 at 6:58 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

I’ve just booked a flight to New York for next month and I’m hoping to see you there for I Am… Courage – a brand new event featuring some of my favourite storytellers, sharing new thinking for brave + truthful living.

Do you remember I mentioned I met some amazing women in Santa Fe recently? We bonded like sisters over a shared passion for freedom, bravery and truth, and decided to create a brand new event that challenges conventional thinking and inspires new ways of living. And YOU are invited!

I Am…Courage is about redefining what it means to be successful, and how to claim the magic and magnificence that is in each and every one of us.

It takes place at Rise New York on Saturday 22 October from 2-4pm and promises to be a very special afternoon indeed. You can find all the details here:

I am honoured to share the stage with these beautiful souls: Kelly Rae Roberts, Kate Eckman, Christine Tripoli, Kathe Crawford and C Rene Washington.

And if you can’t make it to New York, here are 9 other brilliant events taking place in the next couple of months across the world:

Sketch Doodle Draw from our sister site makeitindesign.com which I co-founded with designer Rachael Taylor. We are taking the team to Helsinki this weekend, to begin our celebrations of 5 years of Make It In Design. Join us for sketching and chats about creative careers (it’s free!) Helsinki, Finland (Sept 30, 2016)

Elizabeth Gilbert on her Big Magic tour (well because she’s Elizabeth Gilbert) New York, USA (Sept 29, 2016), Dubai, UAE (Feb 12-14, 2017) and other dates

Women’s Adventure Expo, Bristol, UK (Oct 8, 2016)

YEStival from our friend Dave Cornthwaite Sussex, UK (Oct 21-23, 2016)

Mind Body Spirit Festival, Sydney, Australia (Oct 27-30 2016) and Melborurne (Nov 18-20 2016)

Start building an impact career (from two good friends, oceans advocate and adventurer Emily Penn and start up specialist Ben Keene) – London, UK (October 30, 2016)

Happier World Conference (from the inspiring folks at The Museum of Happiness) – London, UK (Nov 5, 2016)

Mojo Blast – Take Life, Work and Creativity to the next level (host Jamie Catto spoke at an event I was at recently and he was brilliant) London, UK (November 12, 2016)

Wherever you are, anytime, amazing talks and debates via The Institute of Art and Ideas

PLUS – The Makerie at Chautaqua (Boulder, CO, USA Apr 27-30 2017)

I’m honoured to be the opening night speaker for this very special creative retreat, organized by Ali de John, a truly beautiful human. It is going to be absolutely magical. More details coming soon, but if you are interested in going it’s worth booking now as The Makerie is always a sell out!

This week I challenge you to get yourself to an event—any event—that makes you think differently and connects you to kindred spirits. Let me know how you get on!

Beth

PS Time is running out to join the Do What You Love e-course starting October 17. This will be the last time we run this ‘life-changing’ course in 2016, so don’t miss out on this chance for a fresh start! Find out more and book your spot here.

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Do What You Love interview – Helen Stephens

Posted on 2016-09-22 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Helen Stephens calls herself an ‘authorstrator’: an author who writes with pictures and adds words in where needed.

Helen drawing

Helen has been creating children’s books for over 17 years and she is known for her bright, instantly recognisable illustrations.

As well as illustrating for authors like Michael Morpurgo, Cécile Aubry, Sophie Hannah, Holly Webb and Roger McGough, Helen writes her own stories. These include Fleabag, The Night Iceberg, The Big Adventures of the Smalls, the Betsy toddler series, and How to Hide a Lion, which has sold in 14 languages, been nominated for The Kate Greenaway Medal and The Redhouse Book Awards and won the Prix Livrentete. It is now being developed for stage at The Polka Theatre in Wimbledon, where it will be shown this Christmas.

The most recent additions to Helen’s ever-expanding portfolio include Baby I Love You, Gracie Grabbit and the Tiger, How to Hide a Lion from Grandma, and released earlier this September, How to Hide a Lion at School. We’re delighted to talk to Helen to find out more about how she’s living a truly creative life doing what she loves. ~ Rachel

Baby I Love You

1. How are you doing what you love?

I write and illustrate picture books, I draw live for huge crowds of children at book festivals, and to relax I walk my dog Peggy on the beach. For me, this is the ideal job.

2. When did you realise that you wanted to spend your life drawing?

When I was about four years old, I announced to my parents that I was going to go to art school. I never wavered from that certainty, it’s all I wanted to do. When I was nineteen I got a place at Glasgow School of Art, where I decided to study illustration.

Image from How to Hide a Lion at School

3. How did you turn your dream into reality?

When I left art school I was lost for a while. I had my ‘people’ at art school, I felt I belonged. It was a huge shock to leave, I didn’t know what I was going to do, how I was going to make a living, it was a very difficult time. All I knew for certain was that I wanted to draw for a living. So I took tiny steps, one at a time, hoping I was heading in the right direction. I moved to London, where the big publishers were, and got a part time job in a bookshop to pay the rent. I took on small illustration jobs when they came along, and turned down offers of full-time work in the bookshop because I knew that would hold me back.

Image from How to Hide a Lion at School

Bit by bit I found my way, one illustration job led to another, and another, and another. One day I was visiting a publisher to talk about illustrating a book, when they asked if I would write my own text, so I did! I’ve been happily writing and illustrating picture books ever since.

Image from How to Hide a Lion at School

4. What have been your biggest highlights and ‘proud-ofs’ since then?

I am proud that I stuck at it in those early days and ignored all the knock backs and difficult times. I am also proud that I still make time to draw for fun. Sketchbook drawing is hugely valuable, and often leads to new book ideas.

Helen and Gerry with daughter, Frieda. Photo by Kristy Noble and styled by Hannah Bullivant

5. Your partner, Gerry Turley is also an illustrator. How does your art influence your way of life together?

I met Gerry at Glasgow Art School, where we were both studying illustration and our workspaces were side by side. We still share a studio space now. I like having Gerry around, we are used to each other’s habits and it works really well.

Helen and Gerry work together in their home studio. Photo by Kristy Noble and styled by Hannah Bullivant

In terms of how we live, we are lucky to work from home. We shake off deadline stress by walking on the beach every day with our dog Peggy and we collect all sorts of sea treasures. We use old sun bleached plastic fishing crates as plant pots, we collect wood for the fire, and we have recently started to collect sea-worn red house bricks which we’ll use to make a garden path.

Studio space. Photo by Kristy Noble and styled by Hannah Bullivant

We have a rule: if we need anything for the house we either make it, or buy it second hand. Gerry studied Natural History Illustration, and he has always liked natural forms and materials. I love colour and vintage furniture, so our house is a big mix of both of these influences.

Helen’s hallway

6. You love a story and that’s partly what drew you to your house in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland. What’s the history behind it?

Our home looks like a child’s drawing of a house, a door in the middle and a window in each corner. There are four main rooms, two up, two down. When the house was built each room housed a fishing family, they each had a range to cook on and a shared toilet in the back yard. In the 1960’s the fishing flats were converted into a house and an extension was built.

Heart of the home: Helen’s lounge with wood burning stove

When we moved into the house six years ago it was very sad and neglected, we are gradually bringing it back to life. We are opening up all old fireplaces, taking the 1970’s panels off the doors to reveal the original victorian ones underneath. The thing that has changed the house most, and given it a real heart, was putting in a wood burning stove, the whole house feels warmer. One of my favourite features is the victorian privy (outside toilet), so useful in the summer when we have lots of visitors.

There is also an old outbuilding in the garden that we will eventually convert into a studio space. At the moment we share a workroom in the house. We like sharing a space, but we are bursting at the seams!

Helen’s desk. Photo by Kristy Noble and styled by Hannah Bullivant

7. Talk us through a typical day in your life…

We get up, eat some breakfast together, then one of us takes our little girl to school, while the other starts work. We are both usually at our desks by 9.15am (ignoring any housework jobs, those wait until the evening). The six hours Frieda is at school are extremely precious work time, we try to squeeze all of our work into those hours. Later we pick up Frieda, and take our dog, Peggy, to the beach for her daily run, then one of us goes back to work while the other prepares a meal. That is pretty much our usual day.

If one of us is promoting a book, we might be away from home for a few days, visiting schools or book festivals, but we try to do this as a family as much as we can. We also travel to research new books, we went to Venice and Switzerland recently, Frieda comes with us and we get huge enjoyment out of these family drawing trips.

The family by Frieda

8. Where do you find your inspiration for new stories and characters? And how do you keep on top of all your thoughts and ideas?

I like to draw from life as much as I can. I keep sketchbooks where I write notes and ideas. We also collect books on our travels, and vintage picture books. They are a huge source of inspiration.

Work in progress: Helen’s sketchbooks (above and below)

9. Talk us through the process of illustrating a book; how does it go from an idea in your head to a finished work of art on sale in bookstores?

It usually takes about nine months to develop an idea into a book:

It starts with an idea, often this might be an image, or a character name, or just a title.
I sketch out a plot using thumbnail sketches, refining the idea on each new draft.
Then make a mini dummy book to check that the page turns are in the right place. I might do this 5 or 6 times, until everything is just right.
Next I make full sized rough drawings.
After the publisher has given me their thoughts, I start the artwork. I like to make a kind of ‘nest’ at my desk, Peggy at my feet, art materials all around me, podcasts on my headphones. I hibernate a bit while I do the artwork, only taking Frieda to school, and Peggy for her walk. It usually takes about four months.
Then, when the book is published I visit lots of schools and book festivals where I become social again, meeting lots of children and being generally being silly.

Image from Helen’s book, The Night Iceberg

10. Why is it vital to be courageous and true to yourself if you want to succeed as an artist?

In the early days of being published I found I was taking advice from art directors, and altering my work to suit what they were asking for. After a while I felt my work was no longer my own. It didn’t look like the work I did in my sketchbooks, or at art school, and it didn’t feel authentic anymore. So I took a year out and went back to drawing in sketchbooks. It felt like a big risk because my published work was successful, and I didn’t know whether publishers would still want to publish me if my work changed. But they did, and I feel very happy that I took that risk. The books I have done since that period have become my most successful books. I think if you are feeling happy and inspired, and are true to yourself, it shows in the work.

11. What are you working on at the moment?

I have lots of pots on the boil. A Christmas book, a book of Fairy Tales, another in the How to Hide a Lion series, a book about naughty kittens, and a longer novel. I’ve never written for older children before, so this will be a challenge. But I like a challenge, I always like to take on new projects that are unlike stuff I’ve done before, it’s exciting, I get a kick out of learning new stuff.

I am also a big fan of Instagram and try to post every day (I am ‘helenstephenslion’). It feels like the ideal social media for me. I like how you can arrange your feed, a bit like creating a picture book: A close up, then a long shot, then maybe a dark picture followed by a light one… But I do get tired of all the posed pictures of perfect lives, and I try to show my messy work space just as it is, toilet rolls (for dabbing wet brushes) and all. I also like to show some of my work process, rough drawings, dummy books and sketchbooks. I like all that behind the scenes stuff.

12. What do the words ‘creativity’, ‘success’ and ‘freedom’ mean to you?

All good words! If you love doing something, you should make it your job. I have found that living on my creativity alone has been hugely rewarding, I have been able to carve out a ‘Helen’ shaped job. I feel very lucky.

Older work: Pages from Poochie-poo – Helen’s funny and charming story about two doggie friends who constantly try to impress each other

13. What’s your ultimate dream?

I’d like exactly what I have now, but with a bigger work space. Oh, if we are talking ULTIMATE dreams, I might have a second home in London so that I have somewhere to stay when I’m visiting my publishers or having a city top-up. Oh, and what about some sort of magic potion that stops Peggy rolling in smelly dead things on the beach?

Cover of Fleabag

14. What careers’ advice will you give your daughter, Frieda, as she grows up?

To do what she loves, whatever that is. She might not be an artist, she once told us she was going to be a doctor, and we’d have to make an appointment if we wanted to see her!

Find out more about Helen and her work on her website or connect on Instagram.

Credited images were taken by Kirsty Noble (website and Instagram) and styled by Hannah Bullivant (website and Instagram).

Do you dream of illustrating a children’s book?

Would you love to create a make-believe world with characters that you’ve designed? Do you love the magic of children’s books and feel that you have something to offer? Well we can help!

Through our collaboration with Make Art That Sells, we are running an amazing course in Illustrating children’s Books co-taught by top art agent Lilla Rogers and highly-respected children’s book art director Zoe Tucker. In just five weeks you’ll create a brilliant children’s book pitch to help you land your dream children’s book gig. You’ll get over 20 videos, weekly assignments, live weekly video reviews, and inspiring interviews with publishers and illustrators. Plus Helen Stephenson shares more information about her books and we sneak a peek at her diary to see exactly what it’s like to live a life you love.

Our step-by-step course is supportive, fun and engaging and it will give you all the tools, insight, and advice you need to succeed. Class begins on Monday, October 2 and runs until Thursday, November 6, 2017. For more information and to secure your spot, click here.

On speaking your truth and plans for turning 40

Posted on 2016-09-19 at 5:26 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

How was your weekend? Mine was spent in a yurt in the English countryside, with 150 entrepreneurs talking and dancing long into the night! I was invited to The Happy Startup Summercamp to talk about what it really means to do what you love in business, but feel like I came away with so much more than I gave. It was one of those very special meetings of very lovely humans, which included a lot of laughter, deep thinking, new friends, early morning secret adventures in the woods, late night disco dancing and much more besides. If this is the life of a speaker I am keen for more!

Public speaking is one of those things that so many of us are afraid of, but I know is in my future a lot next year with the launch of my book Freedom Seeker. Rather than getting scared about it, I decided to embrace it with the largest hug that I could. And so I did the only thing there is to do – I flew to Santa Fe, New Mexico a few weeks ago, and took a class in transformational speaking from the one and only Gail Larsen. Gail has trained most of the most inspiring speakers I know – from Gabby Bernstein and Danielle LaPorte, to Kris Carr and Rebecca Campbell – so I knew it was going to be an important experience, but I had no idea just how transformational it would be.

When we arrived Gail asked us what would be a breakthrough for us. I have a good memory and like to be prepared, so although public speaking itself isn’t such a scary thing for me, speaking without a script was HUGE. As in, I-can’t-imagine-ever-speaking-unscripted-HUGE. So that would be my breakthrough. To stand up on the last day and give a 15 minute talk unscripted. And somehow, with Gail’s masterful coaching and brilliant approach, I did it. Not only did I do it, but I LOVED it. Now that’s what I call a breakthrough.I will be forever grateful to Gail and the angels who shared the experience. (I could tell you so much about the precious women who went through the breakthrough process with me, but I’m going to save that for another day, because I have so much to say… not least that we are going to be speaking together in New York in October. Stay tuned!)

But doing something in a workshop and doing it for real are two different things, right? So this weekend I tried it out for the first time at a proper event. In front of 150 people. On a stage made of hay bales, in a beautiful barn draped with fairy lights and bunting. To be honest, it couldn’t really have been more of a perfect place to learn to fly as an unscripted speaker. But I did it, and thanks to the soul-nourishing energy of the lovely people gathered there, I loved it again. It wasn’t easy. I still got nervous. I might do some things differently next time. But I got up on that stage and danced around in my cowboy boots and told some stories and had a bunch of people come up afterwards and look into my eyes and say thank you. So it was absolutely worth it.

That’s what happens when we do the hard things. And that’s why we do the hard things. Because it makes a difference to someone. Even if that person is just you.

This week I challenge you to do a hard thing, and notice what happens. And if you want to try public speaking in a soulful, story-based, self-inspiring way, talk to Gail, go visit her in Santa Fe or take the online version of her class, because she is the master.

And finally… Turning 40 this year? Know any awesome women who are?

I am working on a very cool (currently top secret) thing to celebrate turning 40 myself in 2017, and would love suggestions for people to get involved. Only requirements are: (1) To be female (2) To be turning 40 anytime between now and the end of 2017 (3) To be a lovely human being who wants to connect with other lovely human beings.

Please email me suggestions (name/email/one sentence about them) to [email protected]. It’s totally fine to suggest yourself too, if you fit the bill!

I THANK YOU AND THEY WILL THANK YOU!

PS: Please share with a friend if they might know some awesome 40s!

Have a great week.

Beth

Do What You Love interview – Sandy Newbigging

Posted on 2016-09-15 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Meet the inspirational Sandy C. Newbigging: no.1 bestselling author of six books and the creator of modern-day meditation and coaching techniques that have helped thousands of people worldwide.

Sandy is renowned for his ability to get to the hidden causes of people’s issues. It started with the Mind Detox – a method which helps you make peace with your past and change the parts of your mind that are negatively impacting your body and emotional wellbeing. Then with Mind Calm – a modern-day meditation technique which helps you to still your busy mind and move from stress to success. And then, more recently, with Body Calm, in which you learn how to heal your body by resolving the mind-based causes of physical conditions. At the heart of it all is Sandy’s principle that you can heal and achieve anything by replacing conflict with calm. We hope Sandy’s interview encourages you to think about how you can become more consciously aware in your every day life. ~ Rachel

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Do What You Love interview – Marty Knapp

Posted on 2016-09-08 at 8:35 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

In 1988 Marty Knapp quit his day job and spent all his money on equipment to start a new career as a photographer. He survived using only his camera and his darkroom doing portraits and weddings, making slides for artists, developing films and creating custom prints for clients. In every bit of spare time he had he pursued his own creative work, capturing dramatic moments of light in the landscape then printing editions for collectors. Before long his work began to sell.

30 years on and Marty’s iconic black and white images can be seen in his own art gallery in Point Reyes, California, and he has written a book, Point Reyes: 20 Years, which tells the stories behind his quest for his most memorable shots. Marty has been on an incredible journey in order to do what he loves and we hope you enjoy the interview. ~ Rachel

1. How are you doing what you love?

I’ve consciously created a life that keeps me immersed in my passion, creative fine-art photography. My days are involved in every aspect of creating the actual art pieces that end up on the walls of my collectors. I thoroughly enjoy each process, whether in the field exploring the landscape with my camera, or back in the studio making the prints, mats and frames that are displayed in my gallery. I even love working on my website and blog which helps to express my feelings about these creations and markets the work to my followers. I get to use my mind, my hands and my heart in these varied processes. The variety of work stimulates and pleases me.

In the entrance to my gallery

Images from my “New Photographs 2015” exhibit

2. What was the catalyst for deciding to dedicate your life to photography, and how did you discipline yourself to stick with it in the early days?

I had an epiphany in my mid-thirties which changed my life. Up to that point I had been wandering kind of aimlessly in both my professional life and my personal life. I was uninspired, unmotivated and had fallen into a dangerous habit of too much drinking and use of recreational drugs. Then, and this is hard to explain, on one summer morning I woke up and everything became absolutely clear to me. Nothing could shake this new feeling. I just knew that my addictions were over. It felt like I had shed my skin and was a brand new person. At the same time, I knew that I would dedicate my life to my photography. I would look for the light and record my discoveries with this medium. I was full of the spirit and inspired to get on with my life’s work. I felt a profound happiness and I wanted to honour it.

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The key to a complete inbox detox (it’s free, and it only takes a minute!)

Posted on 2016-09-05 at 4:56 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

Can you feel Autumn in the air? The evenings are starting to get a little chillier here, and my head is full of thoughts of apple pie. My town has been full of young people visiting for the university open day and small children looking nervous in their new school uniforms. September always feels like a time of new beginnings to me, so this week I decided to do a major detox of my inbox.

I discovered a free tool that is so brilliant I just had to share it with you, because it only takes a couple of minutes to set up, and can clear your inbox of hundreds of emails in one fell swoop. I know that having an uncluttered inbox can be the key to an uncluttered mind at work, so I do hope you will try it!

The tool is called unroll.me can be used online at www.unroll.me or downloaded as a phone app. I have no affiliation to it. I just love it! It has been around a while, as a tool for quick unsubscribing from emails you no longer want to receive, but I have just discovered they have added a new feature which makes a huge difference. It’s called ‘roll up’ and it allows you to roll up any emails you DO still want to read into a single daily email of all the newsletters you subscribe to. Genius, right? It’s so simple, and is worth a couple of minutes of anyone’s time. Happy unsubscribing and rollup-ing!

The info we take in minute-to-minute, day-to-day, fills our minds. The right info fills our minds with inspiration and sparks ideas, but so much of the info that comes at us each day is just noise. I hope this brilliant little tool helps you clear out some of the noise so you can tune in to what really matters!

This week I challenge you to do an inbox detox with unroll.me. And if you want some additional chilling out, try our free 10-day mini course ‘Zen for Ten‘ and notice the difference!

Take care
Beth

Do What You Love interview – Tania John & Rebecca Hughes

Posted on 2016-09-01 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today we meet sisters Tania John and Rebecca Hughes who have combined their diverse professional backgrounds to reignite a shared passion for outdoor adventure. Last year Tania and Rebecca co-founded the Women’s Adventure Expo – the first adventure and travel expo in the UK dedicated to women – and, following huge success, they are now preparing for their second Expo in October. We spoke to Rebecca to find out what inspired the dynamic duo to use their motivation for doing what they love as a platform to inspire others. ~ Rachel

Checking out the Cornish surf: Tania (R) and Rebecca (L), 1980s
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