Ways of Living
Published by 91 Magazine
Inspiration is elusive. You never know when it is going to show up or the effect it will have when it does. And yet, creatives are always chasing it, desperate for something to spark an idea which excites us.
Chasing inspiration was one of my biggest motivations when I relocated from Glasgow to Birmingham in the Autumn of 2023. Living in Glasgow felt comfortable in a way that only a hometown can but that was starting to feel like the problem. I knew my surroundings too well and familiarity doesn’t entice inspiration. Glasgow was my physical comfort zone and I needed to step out of it.
My friend Kirsty Thomas, founder of design studio Tom Pigeon, had previously made a similar move which proved fruitful for her creative practice. Moving from the Scottish countryside to an English city, Kirsty was surprised when the source of her inspiration shifted dramatically. She found herself painting skyscapes and playing with organic shapes rather than producing the architectural prints the studio had become known for.
“I no longer wanted concrete. I wanted the elements of nature I missed from the countryside.”
- Kirsty Thomas
“I no longer wanted concrete. I wanted the elements of nature I missed from the countryside,” Kirsty recalls the influence of her move to Liverpool. “I seek out nature more in my day-to-day life now. Even when I am walking to the train station, I choose to walk down this little leafy railway path because I want to be closer to the trees.”
Anna Considine from Studio Gently made the opposite switch, swapping England for Scotland. Previously based in Northampton, Anna decided to move to Edinburgh after falling in love with the historic city on her first-ever visit there.
Edinburgh has more independent businesses than any other city in the UK - great news for Anna as a brand photographer. Similar to myself, she had been motivated to move by an urge to start afresh and develop her creative practice in a new setting.
Upon arriving in Edinburgh, Anna felt like she was starting her five-year-old business all over again as the daunting task of building a new creative community from scratch lay ahead of her. “I was a deer in headlights for the first few months, unsure of where to begin when it came to meeting people,” Anna says. Luckily, social media proved it can sometimes be a friendly place and helped prompt new connections. A call out on Instagram led to recommendations for the co-working space full of mingling potential and a coffee date with two local creatives who have since become close friends.
“I was a deer in headlights for the first few months, unsure of where to begin when it came to meeting people.”
- Anna Considine
The gradual formation of a new network alongside the wealth of beautiful locations now on her doorstep positively impacted the visuals Anna produced. She explains: “If you compare my work before and after the move, there is a real difference. Maybe it’s just my perception but that holds value too. It means that I feel like I am progressing and that is an important part of being creative.”
As I approached the first anniversary of my move to Birmingham, this comment on progression rings true. I felt like I was stuck standing still before and now I’m on the move once more. Living in a new place has unlocked a curiosity which drives me to explore new exhibitions, attend creative social gatherings and participate in design festivals. Much to my delight, creative inspiration has been lurking around every corner of the new place I call home.
It’s difficult to predict exactly where you will stumble upon inspiration. In my experience, it tends to lie in the places which make us feel a little less comfortable but much more curious.
This article was originally written for 91 Magazine, a UK-based independent interiors and lifestyle publication.