About Encore
Many of us find our creativity blossoming later in life after we have had a career in a different field. We long to give our days over to our art or writing or other form of creativity. But how do we make that shift? What are the practical implications of committing to days full of creativity? How do we adapt to a whole new professional identity? Or to none at all. How do we navigate the challenges of being a beginner again? What are the choices challenges, delights and decisions that face all of us who live creative lives?
Encore explores all that and more.
Encore is for anyone who is fascinated with the creative mind and who wants to see the process behind the art and writing. It is for anyone who wants to change their own life to bring their own creativity to the fore. It is for you if you believe that creativity is much more about the way we move through the world than the artefacts we sell.
I give you contemplative, personal and well-researched meditations on the creative life.
I document my own process and show the resulting art to provide ( I hope) an inspirational example of what is possible for you too.
I curate links to the resources that have helped me and introduce you to artists, writers and other creators you may not yet have met.
I roam through a world filled with art materials, books, art galleries, travel, journals, psychology, photography, and the ancient life wisdom found in Judaism. I will invite you into my messy studio and the world outside it as seen through the eyes of a creator.
Why subscribe?
My aim is to inspire and support you to walk your own creative life whatever you want that to look like. I hope to make Encore a place where you can find inspiration and information but also where you can disagree and decide to walk the exact opposite path to me. Use me as a sherpa or as a foil, I don’t mind as long as you are provoked to bring more creativity to your days in a way that works for you.
I aim to write several times a month but I’m a creator not a metronome. It may vary slightly. You can read me by getting my posts direct to your email inbox or via the Substack app as you choose.
I write free posts for everyone. Paid subscribers also get
A regular monthly essay at the start of the month in my usual style which will also be a deep dive into a topic relevant to my own creative path and that of my coaching clients. Each essay will be stand-alone, but for 2024 each one will be inspired by a cultural festival happening that month. (I have been having great fun researching some I had never heard of and taking a slant look at a few that are more familiar!) The essay below is a free sample of what you will get as a paid subscriber. The essay will include extra reading recommendations or links to the research I did to facilitate independent deeper diving.
A chat for paid subscribers allowing you to respond to the topic, ask me any questions, and to discuss it with other subscribers. (Starting with the January essay.)
Ad hoc extra thank you - gift material. This will be irregularly scheduled (who doesn’t like surprises?!) and may well take the form of additional essays or even short fiction, occasional coaching exercises or journalling prompts or recommendation lists, backstage passes into my art studio - anything I feel moved to share with you that I think will help you be creative yourself.
The opportunity for sneak previews of book writing and the chance to be on my advanced review team when the time comes.
The knowledge that you are encouraging and facilitating my writing life and helping others also get access to more of it.
I keep some material ad hoc becuase I value the freedom and flexibity of my creative life. It matters to me that I have time to think about what I write and that I send out quality work when its ready. Anyway - who doesnt like suprises when they show up?!
Who am I?
I am a writer, artist, and coach who spent thirty-two years studying and practising law as a solicitor, barrister, conference speaker and finally a Judge whilst creating on the side. Having retired from the judiciary I am building a life in which creativity is the mainstay. I also hold qualifications in life, leadership and creativity coaching as well as a Masters degree in Creative Writing.
I love to travel the world photographing graffiti and finding new compositions in overlapping tags on worn walls. I am fascinated with themes of making new from old and personal change.
You can see more about me at my website .
I also post shorter snippets of my days as a creator on my Instagram feed and my Facebook page.
