Introductions - did you know?

Each month Illoguild, a global group of creatives, answer a question together. This month we are covering introductions.

‘Tell me about yourself’ must be the most awkward interview question for me to be asked. Which bits do I describe, what should be kept back? Will sharing this information put them off? Sometimes my filter is broken. Cue: Spiralling into self doubt. I spent my early years of working life in banks and financial institutions and the easiest way to survive was to become a chameleon. Fitting in was necessary and exhausting. I burned out!

After having our 2 boys, the public sector provided a safe space where authenticity was celebrated and encouraged; a large proportion of staff would choose to take a non working (non paid) day off during the week and family commitments were honoured. Finally, in my 40s, there was headspace to ask what it meant to be me.

This month, as Illoguild move towards their third anniversary of time together; sharing success and struggles; offering critique and supporting one another through goal setting and navigating the creative world of writing and illustration, we are making some re-introductions. I’m not going to think about it. I’m just going to list it out. Warts and all.

• My collection of traditional art materials began 33 years ago, which makes a lot of it vintage. There are no favourites - it’s all wonderful.

• My family is large and 8 families all live within 40 minutes of one another. We have all tried to move away and failed.

• Creativity started for me at about 7 - copying an angel from a Christmas card. My Grandmother encouraged me and has supported me ever since - she is 100 this year.

• I was raised by the Irish but my heart is in Scotland. Unfortunately life in Edinburgh exacerbated my asthma and we had to move back South.

• One of my ambitions is to write about and for neurodiverse children.

• Ski over beach.

• So far I have learnt pottery, stone carving, machine embroidery, knitting, paper crafts, fabric dyeing, linocut and screen-printing. Next I fancy soldering.

• Before children I loved to travel solo but only began to leave Europe in my 30’s. I would never want my own children to take the risks I took (shudder).

• Asian food over British food.

• My favourite place on Earth is Perth. I have only been once for 3 days, as part of an extended month around Australia but it felt like home. It also gave me asthma.

• Comfy socks and shoes with woolly jumpers over fashion…maybe with an apron.

• I bite my nails. Disgusting and painful. But it quells my anxiety, which is extreme and relentless, unless I’m painting.

• Glasses over contact lenses.

• The illusive flow experience - it evades me and yet I seek it. There are so many interruptions and they make me cross but being alone for too long isn’t good for me.

• Weights over cardio.

• Money causes me conundrums. If I have it, I feel the need to share it. If I don’t, then it’s my fault for not working hard enough.

• My husband is the only person I have consistently liked for over 15 years. It’s probably because he doesn’t lie, even though sometimes the truth hurts.

• I have a degree in Ocean Science but it took 3 attempts since I am useless at exams.

• My favourite novel is Pride and Prejudice.

• I’m extremely, unashamedly and irrevocably messy.

• I do have a wart - on my left index finger. My son gave it to me, but I don’t mind because, at the same time, it cleared from his toe and I would do anything for my kids.

Thanks for reading. Let me know if we have anything in common!

Stay creative

x Tabs x

This Monday, January 8 the Illoguild is going LIVE to talk about goal setting for a creative year! Join us as we discuss our plans and dreams for 2024.

• How do we think about goals and goal setting?

• What are practical tips for your own creative practice?

• How can intentional planning lead to achieving goals, both big and small?

• What have we learned from the past year, and how we can bring that into 2024?

Bring your questions and ideas, because we love hearing from you, too!

The Live event is free. Replays are available to paid subscribers.