Melanie Baseden - Inspiring Creative Stories
Welcome to the latest feature in our "Inspiring Creative Stories" series on the blog. Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Melanie Baseden, whose journey embodies the spirit of our Flourish program and the Creative Hearts Community. Mel’s story is all about discovering and nurturing that inner spark of creativity.
Our paths first crossed in the Flourish program's Community Calls, and we finally met in person at my Art of Creative Living Retreat on Magnetic Island. It was such a joy when Mel decided to join us again for another retreat on Lady Elliot Island to celebrate her birthday. She has this amazing talent for making every moment, whether at a retreat or in a casual conversation, truly special.
What really stands out about Mel is her infectious laughter and the depth of our conversations. She has a wonderful ability to make people feel included. Whether she's welcoming new members in the Creative Hearts Community or chatting with other guests on retreat, her warmth and inclusivity light up the room. She loves to help people feel at ease and have a sense of belonging.
Watching Mel's creative journey has been a highlight for me. From her initial adventures, exploring painting and other art forms, to seeing her now, embracing a wide range of activities as part of her creative expression – it's been beautiful to watch. She's proof that creativity isn’t just about art; it's a way of living and seeing the world.
Once convinced she lacked the 'creative bone' due to her logical and sensible nature, Mel embarked on a journey of self-discovery that led her to the world of painting. Her adventure began with seeking a mentor (leading her to the Flourish program) where she discovered that creativity goes far beyond mere artistry—it's a realm for continuous learning, connection, and personal growth. She has since dabbled in acrylics, watercolours, and various other creative endeavours, each medium adding a new dimension to her creative exploration.
Her realisation that she has always been a creative soul, despite previous beliefs, is a powerful reminder that creativity is not confined to traditional arts. Melanie now finds joy and solace in activities ranging from being in nature, to cooking and photography, viewing each as an extension of her creative heart.
Like many creatives, Mel faces challenges like self-doubt and the intimidating blank canvas. However, she shares that the support of the Flourish program and our Creative Hearts Community has been instrumental in overcoming these hurdles.
What stands out to me most about Mel's journey is how much she values community and shared experiences in nurturing creativity. Her story beautifully illustrates how being part of a caring community can help us uncover aspects of ourselves that might have stayed hidden otherwise.
I’m super grateful Mel shared her thoughts on her creative life with us. As we delve into Melanie Baseden's story, I hope you find her story as inspiring and heartwarming as I do.
So, let's immerse ourselves in Mel's world and discover how she's turned creativity into a way of life!
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your paintings? I would love to know what led you to pick up a paintbrush.
I’d grown up with a belief that other people in my family had all the creative bones and I didn’t… I was “too logical” and “sensible”. Then a few years ago, I finally decided it was time to explore my creativity, in particular I wanted to learn about painting.
So, I went looking for a mentor in the painting space and I found Nicola and her offerings. I discovered there’s so much more to creative living than slapping paint on a canvas! It’s a space where I can indulge my lifelong desire for learning as there’s always something new to discover and so many fabulous people to connect with. I’m having so much fun discovering painting with acrylics and watercolours for starters.
The first thing I discovered is that once I reframed my definition of creativity, I’ve been a creative soul for a very long time. And that it’s never too late to pick up a pencil and paintbrush.
Now, I embrace being in nature, cooking, colouring in books, photography and so much more as part of my creativity.
What do you love most about being creative?
I find creativity soothes me. Being creative is being truly present and something I love doing on my own or with other beautiful people.
And what are some of the challenges?
Oh yes, the challenges… my biggest one is self-talk and thanks to Flourish and the Creative Hearts Community I have some wonderful tools and people to support me when that voice gets chatty.
Another challenge for me is simply starting… it could be overwhelm from too many choices (a smidge of shiny object syndrome) or that blank white piece of paper or canvas staring at me and me getting ready to make that first mark. Again it’s back to the tools and people I have around me to move through that.
And then there’s the simple challenge of logistics and priorities… making the time and space to be creative rather than it getting lost in the day-to-day of life.
Can you please describe your creative space? Where do you like to create?
I live in a small townhouse so my creative space for painting is usually my dining table. I have a trolley with my paints, brushes, paper etc so it’s easy to move around and I’m a big fan of using what’s around me. Like my drop sheet, which is an ancient Christmas plastic tablecloth.
Having photos, paintings, crystals and fun stuff like that around me is both restful and inspiring.
I also found that I really enjoy plein air painting courtesy of Nicola’s retreats on Magnetic Island and Lady Elliot Island. That opened my eyes up to expanding where I create.
How do you like to prepare for a creative session?
This is where my organisational side comes out to play. I love setting up all my bits and pieces so they’re in their place and easy to grab. Then I make a drink, usually a cup of tea, and sit down for a minute at my workspace, take a deep breath and drop into that calm place.
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?
Hah, I’ve had an intention of having a consistent routine with my creative process for quite some time yet it is the complete opposite. It’s very much picking up and putting down creative projects with no season or consistency.
What I’ve found works for me right now is tapping into scheduled activities with other people like the workshops, community calls and virtual retreats in the Creative Hearts Community or when I’ve been on holiday and found a watercolour class or the best one is actually going on holiday just to paint… hat tip to Nicola’s retreat! That was the BEST!
What surprised you most about expressing your creativity?
That when I’m in full creative expression, I feel confident and empowered and really being uniquely me.
Does your creativity support you? If so, how do you feel it supports you?
Absolutely, it supports me by giving me space to explore what lights me up, unpack different challenges and beliefs, it’s opened up so many new connections for me and created interesting conversations with my family and friends.
It’s also given me the freedom to dream how my creativity can be brought into my work life too so there’s the potential for financial support as well.
What have been your emotional, spiritual or physical responses to creative living?
When I’m in full creative living, my nervous system feels good so things like my shoulders are relaxed rather than feeling like they’re up around my ears. That leads me to feeling calmer and grounded. Which means, from a spiritual perspective, I’m far more in tune with my intuition and creativity and so the circle goes.
What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone wanting to deepen their relationship with their creativity?
Be playfully curious and embrace experiments. Find a mentor and a community that you feel safe in and be courageously vulnerable in that space. Okay that’s two pieces of advice…
Thank you so much for sharing your creative life with us, Mel!
I hope you enjoyed reading about Mel’s inspiring creative life.
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. Flourish: The Art of Creative Living is open for registration now. I invite you to explore more about my fun-filled, supportive, year-long creativity school, right here.
Inside Flourish, we explore painting with acrylic, oils, and watercolours, plus photography, collage and writing projects to fuel your creativity.
You are also invited to join me for the next Art of Creative Living Retreat, this time on the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef on Lady Elliot Island. I warmly invite you to check it out and send me an email to reserve your place.
Finally, you are warmly invited to join the Creative Hearts Community, where you’ll connect with more creatives from around the world, like Mel, and enjoy supportive workshops, live events and recordings to support you in carving out time for self-expression and self-care.
I’d love to support you in your creative living adventures.
Be kind to yourself and nurture your creativity.
With my warm wishes,
Nicola xx
About Nicola Newman
I'm a Creative Business Coach, Award-Winning Artist & Mentor for Creative Hearts who want to flourish, flow & prosper.
My approach combines self-care, playfulness, and mindfulness to support sensitive, values-driven creatives to navigate self-doubt and cultivate deep self-trust so they can truly enjoy the creative process, bring together their body of work, make money doing what they love and leave a creative legacy they’re proud of.
As an award-winning artist and creative mentor, my free resources, online courses, coaching programs, and retreats support Creative Hearts to embrace their passions, prioritise their creative expression, and build loving relationships with themselves.
Let’s pour a cuppa and get to know one another, shall we? :) Read more about my story here.
