What is the best thing that I love about my work? The best thing I love about my work is colour. I love making a mess with paints or bringing characters to life with bright colours. Experimentation is the fun bit for me.letting the materials decide what path to go down.
What is my idea of perfect happiness? Perfect happiness for me would be to achieve a good balance between the people I care about and my work. I’d love to work in a studio beside my partner, in love filled silence, working away on our separate projects. That would be heaven.
What is my greatest fear? My greatest fear is losing people I care about and losing my belief in myself. I do my best to keep the creativity flowing because it brings me joy and life, I’d hate to lose that as well.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? Depression. I hate it because it shows up whenever it feels like and makes me feel awful as a person. The stages nowadays are few and far between, and don’t last more than a day anymore, so I’m still working on that. The partner helps and I have a few excellent close friends.
Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? There are so many brilliant illustrators out there! It’s difficult to choose. I admire Collette J Ellis for her beautiful dragon work, Tasha From InkWitch Illustrations because of her macabre yet positive work, plus she powered through the same uni degree as me and completed the course.
Stefania Russo, Gabriel Picolo, Arthur Rackham, John Tenniel and so many more!
What is my greatest extravagance? I’m a sucker for occasion dresses and unique footwear. If it fits, it’s high quality material and makes me look amazing and confident, I pick it up. I’m a huge supporter in DocMarten boots as well, I own a few pairs of the bright coloured ones, one sparkly pair and a couple of unique ones. Recently I’ve invested in a pair of HotChocolateDesign heels with lightning bolts and stars
on. Love em.
On what occasion would I lie? I’d lie to protect someone else, or when I’m surprising my partner. I love wrapping little treats up for them and surprising them through the year.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? I dislike my own critical mind about my work. And the fact I never think it’s good enough to break through to the rest of the world.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work? 2017 and this year are shaping up to be the best years. I left University early to get away from the constructs of the classroom, I found they stifle my creativity more than promote and enthuse it. Meeting the partner last year also helped. She inspires me on a daily basis, either with little anecdotes or support of my art in the making.
If I could, what would I change about myself? I would change my spending habits. It spurs from the whole ‘not feeling good enough’ part of me, but I really need to stop spending so much on other people and learn how to save more. Hoping to move in with the partner at the end of this year if all goes well…
What is my greatest achievement in work? Branding! Cleanliness! Enthusiasm! I sold my first ever painting last year and I was amazed! Had a lot of interest in my current works as well. So the rebranding and making sure my work flows aesthetically helps a lot.
Where would I most like to live? Somewhere almost isolated with lots of trees and/or a big garden. Anywhere as long as my partners there too and our pets can stay there to.
What is my most treasured possession? This is a tough one…anyone who’s known me for a long time will know I have/had a slight obsession over the Beano. So I have a really big collection of comics and memorabilia at home. That and my dresses….and wigs….
What is my most marked characteristic? I’d like to say bubbliness? Endurance with enthusiasm is on my CV, so I’d say that. But I’d like to think that advice and honesty are up there to.
What is my most inspirational location, in my town? There’s a route I take the dog on with a lovely railway bridge over a river, I like to go there to relax and think. Or up by the damn overlooking the town and rolling mountains. The view up there is breathtaking.
What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city? It’s such a small place that I prefer eating in at home, otherwise the partner and I take a trip to Y Gastell in Portmeirion for ‘proper’ dates. Otherwise it’s a subway.
What books influenced my life and how? The faraway tree by Enid Blyton because the illustrations and imagination is incredible! Dragonology books because of the details. The dream merchant, lots of travel and twists.
Who are my favorite writers? Enid Blyton, Terry Pratchet, and Roald Dahl, not particularly in that order.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? I’d listen to Bat out of Hell by Meatloaf, Mr Blue Sky by E.L.O and Rockerfella Skank by Fatboy Slim. Three of my favourite songs. Otherwise it’d be Dont bring me Down by E.L.O for a funeral.
(Because it’s funny).
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Joshua Cope from the book The Dream Merchant by Isabel Hoving. He literally travelled to the end of time to save his dead twin sister, and went through a load of tasks that shouldn’t have been his responsibility. It’s a really good read. I also like the dragons in The IceFire series by Chris D’Lacy because they start off as little clay dragons and evolve throughout the series, helping the protagonist achieve what they need to.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? My mother who’s always been a strong individual and supportive person in my life. My friend Sian who’s been there for me through thick and thin and battled her own demons. My Brother Glen who’s been through so much and still keeps going, plus he helped bring my niece into this world so I get to be an awesome Aunty! My college tutor Remy Dean who’s an author and an amazing inspiration, he also keeps me grounded. Finally my partner. It’s only been a small amount of time, but she’s been a really great help and I appreciate her honesty and value her savvy business sense.
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? Oooooooh its a tough choice between Labyrinth with David Bowie and Rocky Horror Picture Show. If you need to expand your mind and want to see awesome music and amazing costumes, those are my go to films.
What role plays art in my life and work? It’s there all the time. When I read, i marine little characters coming to life. When I listen to music and close my eyes, I see dancing colours. Art is everywhere. Gum on the pavement, in adverts, brickwork, raindrops, dreams, people’s fashion. It invigorates the mundane things of life. Washing up in brightly coloured gloves, emptying the dishwasher whilst dancing, walking the
dog whilst it wears a glamorous neckerchief.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? I’d like to say I have a few XD But I think my partner is my top fan. She’s already bought a few things off me and is always up for a spontaneous roadtrip. Next would be Sian, a photographer and really good friend, sister from another mister and other mother. Also Kenny is a fantastic person to lead astray. He’ll know what I’m referring to.
Whom would I like to work with in 2018? I’d love to work with Remy Dean to illustrate some of his writings, or any other authors. Hoping to work with my partner on a few story and comic strip ideas this year as well. I’d like to work with people in the material and fashion industry as well.
Which people in my profession would i love to meet in 2018? Gabriel Picolo, Cyarine, Sibylline Meynet, Ellie Kemmeck and so many others.
What project, in 2018, am I looking forward to work on? Definitely the comic strips and get back to some bright paintings again.
Where can you see me or my work in 2018?
Instagram CleverFox Illustrations or DarkFox Illustrations
Facebook CleverFox Illustrations or DarkFox Illustrations
Or online on Cleverfoxillustrations.com
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? No matter how old or how difficult things get, always create. If something’s your passion, keep at it, whether it’s stamp collecting, poledancing or train spotting. Whatever it is. Keep it. Explore
it. Learn more.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? Tasha Wilkinson from InkWitch Illustrations, Amy Vale peonydenim, Hanna from Payasa.blog,
Nuala Hussey nualahusseyart and Shannahn from RagzFineArt
How can you contact me
Instagram: CleverFox Illustrations
Facebook: CleverFox Illustrations
Gmail: cleverfoxillustrations@gmail.com
Here follows a message of Peter de Kuster, founder of The Heroine’s Journey
Spring Journey
Wednesday 14th March – Sunday 18th March
The best of The Heroine’s Journey condensed into a single, unforgettable week.
The Heroine’s Journey is a global organisation dedicated to teaching skills not covered by the regular education system – skills that develop storytelling intelligence and encourage psychological well-being for creative professionals. The Spring Journey brings together the very best in our storytelling.
We will cover such themes as how to make money doing what you love, how to promote your business, which is you, how to choose our partners more wisely, how to make relationships last, how to find and create your dreamjob by meeting your rolemodels and making testdrives, how to manage your time and organize yourself creativitely, how to focus on our creative goals, how to have the financial freedom to create and how to more regularly experience creative flow and happiness.
You’ll embark on a rich and enlightening voyage, discovering how to make lasting, meaningful change across every aspect of your creative life. By working within a fixed group led by Peter de Kuster over the week, you’ll dive deeper than would be possible in any single daytrip. You’ll be challenged to think deeply about the issues that matter most, and provided with a space to share your thoughts, ideas and experiences.
The Journey is ideal for those seeking a more meaningful, transformative vacation; for attendees of our daytrips who now wish to take a structured journey through our expertly curated material; and for those wishing to save time in the long run by working through the dilemmas of creative life, business, passion, and your own story in a single, high intensity week.
Blending tuition, exercises, meeting with stories of rolemodels, and discussion in journeys in a world city, each day of the Spring Journey will equip you with tools and strategies to help you find answers for your creative life’s big questions.
Join us for a truly transformational vacation for the mind in Rome
Ticket costs Euro 1250 excluding VAT per person, includes all teaching, materials, light refreshments & additional activities.
You can reach Peter for a skype meeting about questions you have by mailing him at peterdekuster@hotmail.nl
DAILY TIMETABLE
09.40 Tea & Coffee on arrival
10.00 Morning Session
13.00 Lunch Break
14.00 Afternoon Session
17.00 Drinks
Read on for a detailed breakdown of the Spring Journey itinerary.
“You are the Storyteller of Your Own Creative Life. You can Create Your Own Legend – Or Not” – Peter de Kuster
Spring Journey Itinerary
Day One: The first day of the Spring Journey is designed to equip us with the core skills of The Heroine’s Journey and Storytelling. We will learn the power of the story we tell ourselves, why our minds have a hard time understanding themselves, how to map and understand our passions, and how and why we characteristically respond to them.
Day Two: The second day of the Spring Journey takes us on a structured journey around the power of your story as creative professional. Creative flow is always in essence a mental phenomenon, it is a result of ideas- and a story you tell yourself therefore relies on having to hand a raft of enriching stories about your business, your money management, your self promotion and your time management that can be called upon in moments of truth. The day begins with a Heroine’s Journey Breakfast – considering what three of the greatest creative heroines of all time have as story about the art of creative living wisely and well.
Day Three: The third day of the Spring Journey teaches us how to choose our clients and business partners wisely and make our relationships last. One of the gravest errors we make around business relationships is to imagine that they aren’t things we can get wiser or better at. On this day we will learn to practise and rehearse our skills at working with the people who can help you further your creative business (clients and business partners like agents, publishers, marketing professionals etcera). In the evening, we will attend a Storytelling Dinner in a local restaurant – learning to overturn small talk and master the art of opening up our deepest stories.
Day Four: The fourth day of the Spring Journey teaches us how to achieve our creative career potential. We will employ storytelling tools to be better able to understand our creative talents and to move forward using the opportunities that are open to us.
Day Five: The final day of the Spring Journey explores new business opportunities and markets for you to as creative professional. Many of the challenges we encounter in modern life require us to develop creative solutions to complex problems. And even when we’re not tackling big problems, continuously improving the way we live using invention and imaginative strategy is deeply important.
You can reach Peter for a skype meeting about questions you have by mailing him at peterdekuster@hotmail.nl
The Heroine's Journey 