Beth Cregan - Inspiring Creative Stories
Beth Cregan’s work as a facilitator and teacher delivering writing programs for young children around Victoria in her business Write Away With Me keeps her focused on creativity, self-expression and supporting children to “experiment with genres and writing techniques, develop their creativity and confidence and best of all, have fun!”
I had the pleasure of meeting Beth through Flourish: The Art of Creative Living back when we launched the program in 2015. Since then, she’s been an active member in the community and I’ve loved sharing her creative living adventures over the years.
Beth took the time to answer my interview questions last week and I’m so honoured she did. Getting an insight into her creative life is inspiring! I think you’re going to love it, too.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your artwork? I would love to know what led you to focus on nurturing your creativity?
I always loved art as a child but as I grew up, I focused on writing but I never stopped making things, renovating furniture and houses, growing gardens and being interested in the visual arts. Because I can’t draw particularly well, I didn’t think I could call myself to be an artist.
One day I realised I was using a very narrow lens to judge my artistic talents. I love colour, composition, abstract painting and collage. In the last year, I’ve also loved playing with watercolour paints.
Being part of Flourish has kept creativity at the forefront of my life. I’m surrounded by a community of inspiring people – all with different skills and interests. Originally I made the decision to start painting and creating art because I wanted to explore creativity and the creative process in a different medium to writing. I also wanted to be more playful and expressive with my writing and I wondered whether art might lead me towards this intention.
What do you love most about being creative?
I love watching how thoughts link together to form new ideas. I’ve learnt to be patient and allow this part of the process to happen naturally. Sometimes it feels like a project has stalled but then suddenly I’ll wake up in the middle of the night and think – Ah that’s it! I need to add this or use that material and just like that – I’ll know the next step. Other times I’ll have to keep tweaking until I’m happy with the result.
What are some of the challenges?
Up until recently, I thought finding time to be creative was one of my biggest challenges. I saw art as an indulgence. But time and time again I’d find that after painting or collage, I’d return to my writing and teaching with renewed focus, energy and fresh ideas. It was if creative self-expression somehow cleared the path for all sorts of connections (and problem-solving) to happen more easily across all areas of my life.
I used to jam art and self-expression into wedges of ‘free time’ but now I’m more inclined to combine my artistic projects with my regular work in my business. For example, I might make a series of collages to use on social media to advertise a writing workshop. Or recently I used watercolour prints to create covers for books I was giving to students in my workshop. I’m recognising that I don’t need to separate art and life. It can all go into the mix together and life is so much richer because of this.
Have you experienced any unexpected gifts from deepening your relationship with creativity?
I think one of the unexpected gifts is I’ve started to let my creativity lead the way. When it comes to writing, my inner critic can be loud and bossy. Staring down a blank page can be intimidating especially when I have a deadline. Art, on the other hand, feels expansive and fun. Mixing paints always takes me back to my childhood where summer holidays lasted forever and were full of creative pursuits. Art teaches me to be more playful in my life and work and encourages me to get lost in the process of creating without necessarily focusing on the end product.
Can you please describe your creative space? Where do you like to create?
I am very lucky to have a designated space at home which I use as my office and studio. It was originally our bedroom and it has a big corner window that looks out onto the garden and street. I can sit and watch the wattle birds in the gum tree and people walking past with their dogs. I like to feel part of the world when I’m working and creating.
This space is painted white and filled with objects and books that I use for my writing workshops. It also has a comfy seat which is where I start the day, journalling with a pot of tea. I have an easel which I set up on my desk if I’m painting. Our dog Mac is always nearby. He usually takes over the comfy seat once I finish my pot of tea.
What is your creative process like? Do you work in seasons, picking up and putting down your creative projects, or do you have a consistent routine?
Because I run a business, i have a regular routine. This helps me slide into the creative process. I start the day journalling and then do a quick plan of my day. I prefer to deep dive into creative work so I’ll leave some time, usually one afternoon a week, where I’ll work on a creative project. I need this sort of consistency to build momentum.
I especially love the virtual retreats with the Flourish community. I loved setting out the time and space to work on a project and sharing this with others in community. I also loved seeing what other members did during their time.
What do you find inspiring? How do you nurture your inspiration?
My work requires me to be continually creating new workshops, writing and supporting teachers and students so it’s essential that I nurture my own creativity. I’m inspired by books and poetry. I love reading personal stories about the lives and experiences of creatives.
Nature is perhaps my biggest source of inspiration. In the last year, I’ve set aside time to explore national parks and hike with my partner. We pack a picnic and head out for a full day, often arriving home in the dark. In the car, we listen to Ted Talks or inspiring podcasts. Often we walk in silence for long periods of time. This made me realise how much I needed stillness and silence in my life. I find I get lost in my own thoughts.
Hiking in nature is a heightened sensory experience. It always energises and inspires me. Connecting with like-minded people is also another important source of inspiration. I’m really interested in the creative process across all fields. I love hearing about the different ways creativity manifests in our lives. Interesting conversation lights me up.
What is one way your creativity supports you?
During 2019, my weekly planning felt rigid and forced. I was filling up to-do lists but not feeling joyful about the week ahead. I started to wonder how I could use art and creative self-expression to bring back some joy and whimsy into my planning routine. I find when I’m overplaying and spinning my own wheels, I’m often feeling overwhelmed and fearful. So instead of just filling up list after list, I decided that on Sunday nights, glass of wine in hand, I would read poetry, choose an oracle card or read through my journal to find a theme for the coming week.and an image or symbol for the theme.
For example, one week my theme was Scaling Obstacles and my image was a ladder. I didn’t overthink the theme too much but every week, an idea would magically surface. I’d sketch the image in my planning journal and free write a little about why this theme and this object resonated with me. Sometimes I would look for a quote to add to my sketch. I might create an affirmation.
Then I would use this image to frame the direction of my week by asking some questions like – Where do I feel blocked? What obstacles are in my way? How can I get a different perspective? It’s surprising how often the image would show up during the week or the answer to one of my questions would come to light. I think using images and self-expression encouraged me to move away from that hustle and productivity mindset and embrace a more gentle expansive way to plan my week. I’m still playing with this idea and giving myself permission to not plan every minute but to feel into my week.
What are you reading, listening to, and cooking at the moment?
I usually have a few books on the go at any one time. Currently, I’m reading Rewild Yourself by Simon Barnes and Helen Garner’s Yellow Notebook. Next up in my reading queue is How To Make A Journal Of your Life by Dan Price.
I love cooking and I have a huge collection of cookbooks but one of my favourites this summer is Annabel Crabb’s cookbook Special Guest – light, delicious vegetarian food combined with her eloquent commentary for each recipe.
My favourite podcast at the moment is A Phone Call from Paul. Paul Holdengraber calls a fellow creative and talks to them about their books, writing, artistic and creative pursuits Sometimes the conversation is just so exquisite, and Paul’s use of language is so wonderful that I stop whatever I’m doing and hang on every word.
What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone wanting to deepen their relationship with their creativity?
I think the one piece of advice that I can offer is to give yourself permission to be creative. I often hear people saying – Oh I’m not creative – but this isn’t true. We are all creative beings. You don’t need to be a talented artist to be creative. If your life feels dull and heavy, there’s a good chance that your creative spirit needs some time and space to come to life again. Think about the creative activities did you loved as a child because that’s always a good place to start.
Where can we connect with you?
Website: http://www.writeawaywithme.com/
Instagram: write.away.with.me
Facebook page: Write Away With Me
I also had the pleasure of interviewing Beth about her experience with Flourish: The Art of Creative Living.
You can tune in and listen to her story below. In this video, Beth shares how Flourish: The Art of Creative Living supported her in her creative life.
Thank you so much for sharing your creative life with us, Beth!
Flourish: The Art of Creative Living is open for registration now for the 2020 intake, for a short time. If you would like to make creativity a priority in your life this year, I would be honoured to paint with you and support you in making that intention come true. Please explore the program and details about this fun-filled, supportive, year-long creativity school, right here.