Creativity Found: finding creativity later in life

Oksana Kukurudza is currently immersed in a deeply personal writing project titled Sunflowers Bend But Rarely Break, which explores her parents' harrowing experiences as forced labourers in Nazi Germany during World War II. Oksana's motivation for writing stems not only from her parents' stories but also from the striking parallels she observes between their experiences and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.Born and raised in Western Ukraine, which was part of Poland before the war, Oksana's mother, just 17 years old in 1941, and her father, 20 at the time, fell victim to Nazi propaganda and coercion that led many Slavs to Germany for forced labor. This choice, however, resulted in her enduring harsh treatment and effectively being imprisoned as a labourer.In her research for the book, Oksana has uncovered deeper layers of her parents' experiences, revealing aspects of their lives that were previously unknown to her. This has led Oksana to approach her writing with a blend of historical accuracy and creative narrative, aiming to immerse readers in the emotional landscape of her parents' lives during the war.The title of the book, Sunflowers Bend But Rarely Break, symbolizes resilience in the face of adversity – a theme that resonates deeply with Oksana as she draws connections to the current situation in Ukraine. The ongoing war has evoked memories of her parents' struggles, prompting her to advocate for awareness and support for Ukraine. Oksana believes that history is repeating itself, and feels a strong responsibility to illuminate these parallels for a new generation. By sharing her parents' story Oksana hopes that she can contribute to a greater understanding of the human experiences behind historical events and inspire action to support Ukraine in its current plight.CreativityFound.co.ukInstagram: @creativityfoundpodcastThreads: @creativityfoundpodcastFacebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found groupYouTube @creativityfoundpodcastResearched, edited and produced by Claire Waite BrownMusic: Day Trips by Ketsa Undercover / Ketsa Creative Commons License Free Music Archive - Ketsa - Day TripsArtworks: Emily Portnoi emilyportnoi.co.ukPhoto: Ella PalletUse this link to register for the Creativity Found Collective meetup on Friday December 13th at 4pm Buy some Christmas gifts from a Creativity Found Collective member here. Buy arts and crafts techniques books, plus books by some of my podcast guests, from the Creativity Found bookshop Support the showPodcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by BuzzsproutSubscribe to the Creativity Found mailing list hereJoin the Creativity Found Collective here

Creativity and communityMark Clay's transition into the arts began later in life, sparked by his experiences as a father. He initially engaged in creative activities to facilitate his daughters' artistic explorations, which led him to rediscover his own potential for drawing. This rekindling of creativity served as a form of 'occupational therapy', allowing him to refill his emotional cup during a stressful period in his life. Mark's involvement in community activities, such as volunteering at the Hinksey Heights Nature Trail, further enriches his creative life. He notes that engaging with nature and working alongside others has inspired his artwork. This connection to nature and community not only enhances his artistic practice but also fosters a sense of belonging and purpose.Mark has embraced a slow, contemplative approach to his art, which allows him to produce pieces that resonate with his experiences and emotions. His journey illustrates that artistic development is not just about technical skill but also about understanding oneself and the world, resulting in a richer and more rewarding creative life.CreativityFound.co.ukInstagram: @creativityfoundpodcastThreads: @creativityfoundpodcastFacebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found groupYouTube @creativityfoundpodcastPinterest: @creativityfoundResearched, edited and produced by Claire Waite BrownMusic: Day Trips by Ketsa Undercover / Ketsa Creative Commons License Free Music Archive - Ketsa - Day TripsArtworks: Emily Portnoi emilyportnoi.co.ukPhoto: Ella PalletUse this link to register for the Creativity Found Collective meetup on Friday December 13th at 4pm Buy some Christmas gifts from a Creativity Found Collective member here. Buy arts and crafts techniques books, plus books by some of my podcast guests, from the Creativity Found bookshop Support the showPodcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by BuzzsproutSubscribe to the Creativity Found mailing list hereJoin the Creativity Found Collective here

Processing the personal struggles through words.A negative experience in a college creative writing class derailed Mary Adkin's writing ambitions for nearly a decade, and sent her on a whole different path than the one she had planned. Mary studied public policy and went to law school, but when it came to working in the legal profession, Mary quickly realized that being a lawyer was not her true calling, and she made a bold decision to leave the profession after just seven months.Mary transitioned to tutoring to support herself while dedicating her days to writing. Despite initial setbacks and self-doubt, she eventually completed her first novel, and has continued to write, with each new novel being distinct in its storyline and tone.In this episode Mary opens up about her recent memoir, You Might Feel a Little Pressure, which explores her personal experiences with miscarriages and how they transformed her life. She emphasizes the importance of writing as a means of processing and sharing personal struggles, hoping her memoir will provide comfort to others going through similar experiences.In addition to her writing, Mary helps other adults write and publish their books through her program, The Book Incubator. She shares insights into how her own challenging experiences with feedback have shaped the supportive and constructive environment she now fosters in her program.CreativityFound.co.ukInstagram: @creativityfoundpodcastThreads: @creativityfoundpodcastFacebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found groupYouTube @creativityfoundpodcastPinterest: @creativityfoundResearched, edited and produced by Claire Waite BrownMusic: Day Trips by Ketsa Undercover / Ketsa Creative Commons License Free Music Archive - Ketsa - Day TripsArtworks: Emily Portnoi emilyportnoi.co.ukPhoto: Ella PalletUse this link to register for the Creativity Found Collective meetup on Friday December 13th at 4pm Buy some Christmas gifts from a Creativity Found Collective member here. Buy arts and crafts techniques books, plus books by some of my podcast guests, from the Creativity Found bookshop Support the showPodcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by BuzzsproutSubscribe to the Creativity Found mailing list hereJoin the Creativity Found Collective here

There is energy in everything. In this episode my guest Tina Wells chats about her journey to finding emotional relief and mental wellbeing, along the way showcasing various practices and creative outlets that foster joy and reduce stress.Tina has always had a deep appreciation for nature and science – including a fascination with energy bonds, organic matter and the interconnectedness of living organisms – leading to a career as an ecologist and surveying butterflies in Bristol (among other roles!).During a move to San Francisco with her husband and young son, Tina discovered the mental-health benefits of T'ai Chi Chih, which has helped her to overcome personal challenges including anxiety and postnatal depression. Tina went on to train in this moving form of meditation and now leads her own group sessions, focusing on stress relief through movement and breathing techniques. CreativityFound.co.ukInstagram: @creativityfoundpodcastThreads: @creativityfoundpodcastFacebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found groupYouTube @creativityfoundpodcastPinterest: @creativityfoundResearched, edited and produced by Claire Waite BrownMusic: Day Trips by Ketsa Undercover / Ketsa Creative Commons License Free Music Archive - Ketsa - Day TripsArtworks: Emily Portnoi emilyportnoi.co.ukPhoto: Ella PalletUse this link to register for the Creativity Found Collective meetup on Friday December 13th at 4pm Buy some Christmas gifts from a Creativity Found Collective member here. Buy arts and crafts techniques books, plus books by some of my podcast guests, from the Creativity Found bookshop Support the showPodcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by BuzzsproutSubscribe to the Creativity Found mailing list hereJoin the Creativity Found Collective here