“Not waiting ’til tomorrow to do what you want to do — not being so afraid that you forget to live while you’re alive — that’s super important.”

Lorna Brown left her London life behind and travelled the world documenting graffiti-covered buildings in words and watercolours for her forthcoming book, Painted Cities. In this interview she describes tracking down giant murals in Cairo and figuring out what was essential for creative fulfilment while skateboarding in Palestine. Her advice to other writers and artists: be aware that you can’t fake authenticity, and remember that none of us lives forever.