Creativity Found: finding creativity later in life

Claire Waite Brown•www.creativityfound.co.uk

Real-life stories of finding or returning to creativity in adulthood.
I'm Claire, and I re-found my creativity after a time of almost crippling anxiety. Now I want to share the stories of other people who have found or re-found their creativity as adults, and hopefully inspire many more grown-ups to get creative.
I chat with my guests about their childhood experiences of creativity and the arts, how they came to the creative practices they now love, the barriers they had to overcome to start their creative re-awakening, and how what they do now benefits their whole lives.

Want to be a guest on Creativity Found? Send me a message on PodMatch, here

Last refreshed: July 7th, 2025 at 11:30 AM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Richard Nicoll – later life punk rock

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 your appreciation, consider supporting the podcast through the Support the Show link, or by sending a boo...

Jan 24, 2021•42 min•Ep. 9

Morven Shortt – fine art degree at 50

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 would like to show your appreciation, consider supporting the podcast through the Support the Show lin...

Jan 10, 2021•46 min•Ep. 8

Philippa James – realizing mental wellbeing is dependant on creativity

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 despondent and mentally unwell, Philippa realized that she needed creativity in her life, but how would tha...

Dec 13, 2020•35 min•Ep. 7

Rob Ballentine – a surprising new venture drawing pet portraits

Rob Ballentine enjoyed drawing as a child, but when it became an obligation he became disheartened. The music business called to his creative nature, but an interest in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) was a stronger draw. Find out, then, how it is that he now enjoys creating pet portraits that really connect with the animal owners. 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 boo...

Dec 06, 2020•41 min•Ep. 6

Karen Joy – painting landscapes with acrylics and experimenting with abstracts

When Karen Joy’s boys grew up, she had a ‘niggling feeling’, and joined a watercolour class. But that is a far cry from the acrylic paintings she is so passionate about now. Find out about her journey from printmaking, picture restoration, horses and family to acrylic landscape and abstract painting. CreativityFound.co.uk Karen Joy at creativityfound.co.uk Instagram: @creativityfoundpodcast Facebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found group YouTube @creativityfoundpodcast Pinterest: @c...

Nov 29, 2020•29 min•Ep. 5

Cassandra Sabo – world traveller and weaver

Cassandra's journey from Canada to Oxford has taken a number of twists and turns, encompassing engineering, travelling, having a family and growing her weaving skills and community weaving business. The Oxford Weaving Studio at creativityfound.co.uk CreativityFound.co.uk Instagram: @creativityfoundpodcast Facebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found group YouTube @creativityfoundpodcast Pinterest: @creativityfound Researched, edited and produced by Claire Waite Brown Music: Day Trips b...

Nov 22, 2020•34 min•Ep. 4

Gerry Coles – perseverance in printmaking

Printing with linocuts after a not-very promising start. Oxfordshire-based printmaker Gerry Coles didn't have the best start to her linocut experience, but with perseverance, she discovered an art form she was passionate about, and good at! Discover how Gerry, a creative youngster, trod a different path after school, but discovered the artistic practice she now loves on a visit to Bath. CreativityFound.co.uk Gerry Coles at CreativityFound.co.uk Instagram: @creativityfoundpodcast Facebook: @creat...

Nov 16, 2020•36 min•Ep. 3

Tereza Barnard – from psychology and interior design to realist portraits

Tereza Barnard had a discouraging review of her art as a youngster, and went on to study and pursue a career in psychology. But something didn’t quite sit right for her. Find out how Tereza changed her circumstances and now earns money and accolade as a realist and abstract painter whose work features in Tom Croft’s book Portraits for NHS Heroes. Buy Portraits for NHS Heroes here If you found value in this episode and would like to show your appreciation, consider supporting the podcast through ...

Nov 09, 2020•24 min•Ep. 2

What is Creativity Found?

How does creativity benefit our lives as grown-ups? I'm Claire, and I re-found my creativity after a time of almost crippling anxiety. Now I want to share the stories of other people who have found or re-found their creativity as adults, and hopefully inspire many more grown-ups to get creative. I chat with my guests about their childhood experiences of creativity and the arts, how they came to the creative practices they now love, the barriers they had to overcome to start their creative re-awa...

Nov 02, 2020•2 min•Ep. 1

← Prev

Hosted on Buzzsprout

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android