The Restless Creatives Podcast

Lucy describes herself as a visual storyteller who is passionate about creating floral and garden art and capturing that sense of theatre with her camera around the world.

Her work has a style that rings true to the British landscape and has a natural untouched quality to it, harking back to the early 20th century, a time when the Bloomsbury group were at their peak, the female form was considered the ultimate in grace and elegance and the British social attitude was quietly reserved.

With a Degree in Fine Art from Liverpool University, a lifetime designing gardens and self-taught photography, her work is constantly looking at ways in which we can soften and meld the boundaries between the inside and out.

When she is not travelling, Lucy retreats to her own, invariably intertwined garden and studio in the mountains in North Wales. Here she creates, teaches, has a constant, ongoing dialogue with the weeds in the garden and walks with her dogs and camera. She also co-hosts this podcast along with Fiona and Brigitte!

How stressful can it be having to confirm to being recorded on Zoom? Very, if this short, informal (aren’t they all!) episode is anything to go by!

Once we navigated our way round signing in, Lucy read a short extract from her book, a beautiful excerpt which most, if not all, creatives will be able to relate to offering a small glimpse into the rest of this can’t-put-down book. She also teases us with details of upcoming plans for book signings and there’s our usual silly banter too.

A short but sweet episode to ease us gently back into the next series.

Hayley Neil is the founder and designer behind Rolling In Roses. Following an epiphany which struck whilst on a depressingly uninspiring shopping trip to help find wedding dresses for her sister, Hayley opened her first boutique in York in March 2012. Taking the name 'Glory Days' from the Pulp song she herself walked down the aisle to on her wedding day, the boutique offered vintage and antique bridal gowns alongside the bespoke service through which Hayley created one-off wedding dresses tailored for individual clients. Seeing the appetite of brides for contemporary, cooler, and more comfortable wedding gowns than those offered on the high street, Hayley founded the Rolling In Roses label in 2016 as a platform for her personal design vision and has never looked back.

Rolling In Roses flourished and outgrew the confines of Glory Days so the two companies were recently merged and rebranded under the Rolling In Roses name, and the York boutique is now the RIR flagship store.

Never happier than when designing or making, Hayley sources the fabrics, sketches the designs, drafts all the patterns, and makes the sample gowns herself in the Rolling in Roses atelier. Lying awake at night deciding how to finish the perfect cuff or solving a tricky pattern drafting problem is par for the course, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Hayley can usually be found walking in the countryside with her husband and their little boys Luca Thor and Oren Jack, enjoying good food or having a pint in the pub with friends. Otherwise, you might come across her dancing in festival fields, strolling around art galleries or losing her mind watching bands at grimy little gig venues. A Yorkshire girl born and bred, Hayley is proud to base her design and construction right here in England, and always will do.“The name 'Rolling In Roses' is taken from an early Patti Smith poem. Known as 'the godmother of punk', she embodies our ethos of designing for the offbeat, sophisticated, fiercely independent bride. The dreamers, the poets, the music-makers, the lovers.”

HAYLEY’S EPISODE

“I’M A TOTAL GEEK REALLY”

What a fascinating chat we had with Hayley, as well as discussing all things dressmaking we also somehow randomly discuss Bronze Age burial sites too (it’s all happening in Yorkshire apparently!)

We hear about working as a freelance costume designer, maker, and assistant in the worlds of theatre and film, where she worked on an eclectic array of theatre productions and Bifa, Bafta, and Oscar winning films. Hayley tells us how she moved from this to opening a shop in York, Glory Days and her design label Rollin In Roses.

We discuss chemical equations (something we never thought we’d say!), dresses made from recycled plastic bottles reclaimed from the sea, hand smocking and Radiohead, there’s also a fascinating story about an Indian silk farm. You will be enthralled!

And finally, the ‘bump’ that appears in the video, is now a healthy, bouncing little boy Oren Jack - congratulations Hayley and welcome to the world Oren.

Phylecia is an American girl hailing from a small town in the deep south who met a Yorkshire boy and followed him over the ocean. They put down roots, have two wonderful boys and live in their cozy home with a crazy labrador and two very tolerant cats.

She describes herself as an old soul who loves the simple life, listening to Classic FM, pottering around in her garden and baking in her Aga (only because “my husband is the best and will clean up after me”).

Phylecia loves spending time with friends and family and always around a table full of food or a fire. “Letterpress is a lot of physical hard work and takes a lot of learning.

I still learn something every time I print. The machines are old and sometimes we don’t get along but, in the end, the hard work pays off because what you are left with is a beautiful print that you want to run your fingers across. To be a part of such an old craft and bring such beauty to people today is something I am so blessed to be a part of.”

Phylecia’s episode

“I loved the cadavers”

In this episode it feels like we cover every subject possible with Phylecia, from ADHD, creativity, running a business as a creative soul, selling to the general public and much, much more. Phylecia shares about growing up in the USA in Florida and Georgia, then meeting her husband-to-be and moving to the UK, where she knew she wanted to run her own business, just not knowing in what.

She started off creating letterpress wedding stationery until a family illness caused her to rethink her chosen path and she started making beautiful, textured handmade paper. Phylecia’s love of both creativity as well as science and maths, meant she was the perfect person to delve into the science behind papermaking, allowing her to ‘chase unicorns in paper making’ by creating a consistent weight and surface on a handmade paper. We also hear about the difficulties of raising a family and running a business, all the while trying to avoid being ‘half-assed Mom and half-assed business owner’. And of course, as in so many previous episodes, we touch upon Imposter Syndrome too

Phylecia leads us fabulously through the entire process of making paper by hand, with a fabulous show that explains the term ‘deckle edge’.

Do power through the poor sound at the beginning - it does improve! Definitely an episode not to miss.

Fiona is a Creative Director and Brand Consultant, working with entrepreneurs, giving them clarity and vision around their brand identity.  A bestselling author and visionary, Fiona’s is also widely known as The Brand Stylist.Fiona has spent more than twenty years in the industry: styling brands, creating websites and running workshops. She has owned, grown, sold and run franchises as well as founding, building and selling her own design agency and now runs several successful and hugely creative companies.

The author and publisher of the bestselling books How to Style your Brand and Brand Brilliance, Fiona is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to create incredible brands. She also runs inspirational online courses, game-changing workshops and highly sought-after retreats.

A creative thinker, an innovative marketer and a tribe builder, Fiona has a knack for capturing the essence of a business, finding clarity in a contradictory brief and translating commercial goals into visual assets.

FIONA’S EPISODE

“I’M A BIT OVER COOKING NOW”

In our chat with Fiona we delve deeper into colour psychology, which we first touched on in our chat with Caz from Making Waves (a link to Caz’s episode is below). It’s an absolutely fascinating subject that translates into all areas of design and Fiona shares insights into the concept and how it can transform your brand identity.

We spoke just before Fiona was heading off on a photo shoot at Middleton Lodge and as well as discussing their branding, we also mention how the three of us are desperately trying to plan a stay there together at some point.

As in almost every chat we’ve had, we discuss Imposter Syndrome, it’s become a strong thread through almost every one of our episodes; Fiona also shares some really interesting observations on words and semantics. And do make sure you catch Fiona’s amazing sounding recipe for a fabulous supper, it sounds delicious!

Lottie, Fiona’s Welsh terrier, joins us right on cue and at one point it sounds like we’re also joined by a tiny butterfly, sadly it was just weird headphone noise and is hopefully not too distracting!

As a commercial photographer Richard divides his time between the UK and the Middle East. Most of his commissioned work is in the advertising and design industries and he is well known for his automotive and location work in particular.

In recent years Richard has become increasingly focused on personal projects and exhibiting them, appearing in Galleries, Art Festivals and Museums around the world; and is regularly featured in international media, both print and digital.

In 2016 Richard relocated to Suffolk, UK and while still working and exhibiting in the Middle East, he is now committed to photographing his home county and working for local clients. You can find out more about this work at The Suffolk Project, a new photographic study of the East Anglian county, with a particular interest in the rural landscape, agriculture and conservation. Inspired by the work of Suffolk writers such as Adrian Bell, George Ewart Evans and Ronald Blythe, his ultimate aim is to create an archive of authentic Suffolk imagery and stories, and seek out and record the unique character of the county and its people and industries.

Richard’s episode

“Go on then, just shoot me”

Richard speaks to us from his shed in rural Suffolk with sometimes sketchy wi-fi (and consequently not always brilliant sound), sharing all sorts of fascinating creative insights garnered from some of his past projects here in the UK as well as in the Middle East.

Ironically, photographing cars was one of the only commercial options to get out into the landscape and it was this that took Richard to the UAE. One of his first personal commissioned projects was to compare the rivers of the Middle East and where he grew up (sound daft?  You’ll just have to listen!!). Another project ‘Abandoned’, about derelict building sites around Dubai, went viral.

We discuss sustainability and the fine line of balancing conservation and maximising yield in agriculture, a tricky area which Richard handles very delicately by showing imagery and asking questions to understand without judging. When asked ‘what is the most dangerous things you’ve ever done, Richard has an incredible answer which we suspect may never be beaten!

Do listen and while you do, look at Richard’s images (links below) they are utterly sublime!

Sue’s background is firmly rooted in the crafts, having started her journey into ceramics at a small pottery in Lincolnshire in the mid 1980’s. Learning the skills of production throwing; sometimes digging the clay, then wedging and weighing the clay to throw to all the same size and shape.

After graduation Sue’s first job was at Wedgwood as a shape designer, guided by the design team to understand the breadth of ceramic form, from how a plate should sit on the table to how a spout should pour. And taught by the highly skilled model makers to understand volume and the transition from 2D to 3D and to visualise those forms into fine plaster models.

She’s worked both as an in-house designer and as a freelance designer for over 20 years for retailers and manufacturers and still uses the skills she learnt in her first job.

Sue is inspired by the everyday and the ordinary; material qualities, textures and the interaction we have with objects. Small details and preferences which reflect the intuitive decision making we all make on a daily basis when choosing what cup to take from the cupboard for a cup of tea.

In collaboration with her husband John and his company Wild + Wood, Sue also has The Mr & Mrs Collection. Returning to making their own collections after a time in other design jobs they set out to create a range of objects that sit comfortably in the home, that aren't awkward, audacious or tricky to use, but are familiar, have fluency and sit effortlessly.

Sue was also a judge on Series 3 of The Great Pottery Throw Down.

Sue’s episode

“That curvaceous vase looks like Auntie Betty”

We hear how Sue came to work in ceramics, from her first job at Wedgewood, right through to her busy and incredibly successful industrial-scale slip casting business.

We obviously probe her about The Great Pottery Throw Down, on which she was a judge in series 3 and we touch on some rather unexpected topics as well. From how she named her vases after her family members (well, that could be awkward) to some more off piste topics, several of which seem to involve swimming costume malfunctions. Sue mentions lots of other programmes in a similar vein to ‘Throw Down’ - all of which we had included a link to below if you want some fabulous watching.

We hope you enjoy this fabulously entertaining episode with Sue - oh and do make sure you have a look at her absolutely drool-worthy ceramics, be warned though, it may lead to purchasing !

Jesse was born in Suffolk to musical parents, his mother a singer and his father a sound engineer. He first started playing multiple instruments with folk singer song writer Laura Marling, then joined Keane as bass guitarist.

In 2013, Keane decided to stop performing, Jesse moved back to Suffolk and initially started an arts-based storage facility for theatre companies, touring music artists and more. He then established Old Jet, a unique Arts Centre on the ex-U.S. Air Force Base, Bentwaters Parks, the heart of which is a two storey ex-maintenance office block that provides studio and office space for people working within the arts. Home to painters, photographers, writers, clothing designers and musicians, Old Jet runs on 100% green energy.

They have weekly life-drawing sessions and a vintage and makers market on the first Saturday of each month, raising money for local good causes. The centre is frequently used for events, filming, photo-shoots and rehearsals.

As a side project Jesse also formed band Mt. Desolation, with fellow Keane band member Tim Rice-Oxley. Keane will also be touring again in August 2021.

“The things we’re passionate about in life are often the things that bring us the least joy. But we have this built in desire. I hate the sound of my own voice, I hate recording and listening back to it makes me feel sick. But, I just have to do it”

JESSE’S EPISODE

“JUST DON’T BE A DICKHEAD”

Jesse is probably best known as bass guitarist for globally famous rock band Keane, but we speak to him mostly about the creative hub he has established in Suffolk, ‘Old Jet’. There are so many valuable and life-changing thoughts peppered throughout the entire episode we absolutely guarantee that you will take something away from all that Jesse has to say.

We start with his musical journey, from being ‘the weird character at the side of the stage picking up multiple instruments’ to joining Keane (we also break the news to him that their new tour is about to start!).

His thoughtful and considered observations are wide-ranging, from pondering self expression and why we do things as well as how not to go through life without realising actually how awesome you are. Some of Jesse’s musings have certainly changed how we three think and we’re sure you will find the same.

Robin Lucas is an artist and interior designer. From an early age he has always had a sketchbook on the go and holds a particular fascination for the natural world, history, gardens and interiors. A keen collector of books, art, and curiosities; Robin uses these interests to create a natural dialogue between interiors and his work. 

Having studied Biology at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, Robin spent time at the World of Interiors magazine and the renowned London based fine country house antiques dealers Jamb, before establishing his own studio focusing primarily on illustration and design.

Robin takes much of his inspiration from his surroundings and divides his time between his home on the Isle of Wight, London and the wilds of north Lancashire.

ROBIN’S EPISODE

“SHEEP DON’T HAVE WHEELS”

We chatted with Robin about a month before the Constance Spry exhibition at the Garden Museum opened, just as he was consumed in designing a plasterwork pelmet for an area of the exhibition. Guest curated by floral designer and writer Shane Connolly, the exhibition explores Spry’s exceptional life and is open until the end of September.

An archetypal restless creative, Robin describes himself as a geeky child, spending summer holidays recording tiny botanical details of orchids. He has dabbled in many creative projects including designing an ad campaign for swimwear and has to cook every day, often creating elaborate, multiple courses - what a dinner party he must throw! He has a lifelong love of drawing and painting and is passionate about stopping, watching, listening and questioning everything about the world around us.

Unlike a lot of our guests who feel they had creativity knocked out of them as a child, Robin’s curiosity was actively encouraged by his parents and has led to his hugely artistic and creative life, with a passion for trying “new stuff” and seeing where it leads him. Keen to encourage future generations to slow down and be inquisitive, he invites a collaboration with anyone looking to do the same - so if that's you do get in touch with him (details below).

Maison Artefact is a London-based antique dealer and interior design practice with antiques at the heart of a contemporary aesthetic.

Established in 2000 by Vicky Davar, Maison Artefact composes calm, atmospheric interiors; harmonising select French and Swedish antiques with a pure and elegant aesthetic.

Their services include antique sourcing, restoration, bespoke design and interior commissions and they pride themselves on developing personal interiors and meaningful collections which reflect individual tastes and interests.

The Lillie Road store curates a continually changing display of art, furniture and homeware. Available to view in context, their carefully chosen pieces range from eighteenth century prints and portraiture, to Swedish cabinets and contemporary commissions. Vicky leads the interior projects and range from contemporary apartments to historic country houses, each project is developed in close collaboration with the client.

Vicky’s episode

“Always have a dance at breakfast”

What a wonderfully uplifting chat we had with Vicky as she reveals how antiques run in the family, we also get to hear about her previous career as an actor.

We discuss all sorts of interesting design theories, considerations and ‘rules’ and hear about Vicky’s love of space and light. We even get onto politician’s bookshelves as backdrops and how Lucy could get a job packing valuable antiques.

Lucy reveals that her book launch will take place at Vicky’s shop, so we will get to see it first hand and if we’re really lucky, we may get a demonstration of those new-found packing skills!

We’ve included links below to places, people and things mentioned during our chat, but you will have to search for the Hermes memes yourself!

Brigitte is known for her exquisitely undone, seasonally inspired, foam free, garden style florals, where she lets nature sing. She is an artist, gardener, writer, teacher and of course podcaster.

Her floral art draws on the traditions of rambling, overgrown, English gardens, the ever-changing seasons and the wild beauty of the Suffolk countryside around her. Seasonality and provenance are fundamental. So her own whimsically, wild and untamed garden is her muse and inspiration providing many of the beautiful flowers and trailing ingredients she needs.

“Nature, my garden, the flowers, local wildlife and me…

I see us all intricately woven together in a delicately balanced, symbiotic relationship.'“

Of course, Brigitte also co-hosts The Restless Creatives Podcast along with us, Fiona and Lucy.

OCCASIONALLY IT’S JUST THE THREE OF US

We talk about all sorts, explore our own creativity and dig deep into previously unexplored areas.

Lucy and Fiona talk to Brigitte in a continuation of those episodes.

Brigitte’s episode

"wearing scarlet, skin tight, satin trousers”

It felt like we were transported back to a different era or into an Enid Blyton book, whilst chatting to Brigitte. We hear about her idyllic sounding childhood in rural Suffolk, share wonderful family memories of sorting buttons and feeding donkeys and how the smell of geraniums and tomatoes in a greenhouse immediately transports her back to the side of her grandfather.

Brigitte also shares some more unexpected stuff, her time working on The Misty Show on BBC TV, first seeing her husband-to-be at 11 years old and her longing for scarlet, skin tight satin trousers - well who knew. We follow her journey from childhood, university and gardening and how she started working with flowers. It might not be ‘rock and roll’ (Brigitte’s words!) but it is utterly beguiling and well worth putting the kettle on for a cuppa and a listen or watch.