Start Here ✨

Creeeaaaaak... step through an enchanted doorway and join me on an adventure to explore and celebrate creativity of all kinds..

While I was drawing, I got lost. Between one pencil stroke and the next.

I sit at my desk in my studio. I pick up my pencil and draw a single stroke. The edges of reality soften and blur. I can feel adventures and memories brush the back of my mind. Ideas and inspiration and endless worlds to explore and discover where the tip of my pencil touches the canvas.

While I Was Drawing

If you have a creative heart and are eager to explore and try out different creative activities, join me on this creative adventure to discover and celebrate creativity of all kinds, for joy alone.

Whether you’ve been creating all your life or are just beginning to explore new creative activities, you’ll find inspiration, encouragement, and a community of like-minded souls.

I write about discovering and celebrating creativity to help you feel inspired and encouraged in your own creative journey, and about navigating the numbers behind your creative explorations, to help your finances feel less daunting.

Here you will find:

• While I Was Drawing letters: Exploring and celebrating creativity of all kinds from a lifelong creative adventurer (and bean counter).

• Because Creativity Series: Inspiring guest letters from fellow creatives.

• My Ever Growing Gallery of Beautiful Illustrations: High-resolution downloads for your creative projects, Substack, social media and other online spaces.

• Counting Beans: A place for practical advice, encouragement and inspiration, helping you track your finances one magic bean at a time.

And coming soon:

• The Creative Bucket List Club: A paid community to explore new creative activities and share with each other.

• Festival of Creativity: A directory of posts and resources exploring and celebrating creativity in all its forms.

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Lovely words from readers of While I Was Drawing

“Emily’s work and words always feels full of heart.” Linn

“I’m glad I found your little creative corner, especially when your wonderful drawings arrive side by side with good advice!” Susie

“This is breathtakingly beautiful writing. So immersive and enchanting.” Robyn

"Emily has so many incredible insights in the way she thinks and the way she sees things." Keeley

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For Creative Adventurers

For Creative Explorers

If you’d love to use some of my illustrations but now isn’t the right time to upgrade, you can sign-up for free as a Creative Explorer, and receive a beautiful bundle of 30+ illustration assets to download, that will be delivered in my Welcome Letter, and occasional free downloads in my regular posts.

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An Introduction

Hello, I'm Emily.

A potted history up to today

(45 years in approx. 100 words)

I have always been creative and I have been drawing all my life.

I grew up in a little village in the English countryside. We had dogs and a cat and spent a lot of time outside, walking, cycling, playing in the garden and climbing trees. I did lots of drawing and making, and would draw while Mum read us bedtime stories.

I left home, moved to Hampshire, got a job working in the finance, got married, bought a house, qualified as an accountant, had two children and started my illustration business.

You can read a less abridged version ✨here✨

I illustrated a children’s Christmas picture book and set up an Indie Publishing company, Tree Keeper Books with my friend and business partner

Lydia Saward

and we published our first book, Is Aunt Moll from the North Pole earlier year.

There’s more about that ✨here✨

Today

I’m an accountant by day, crunching the numbers and counting the beans, and an illustrator by night, drawing quirky and whimsical artwork to brighten your day and make you smile.

I still live in Hampshire, with my husband, our children and three crazy cocker spaniels.

There’s more of that ✨here✨

What’s your story?

I hope you find inspiration and ideas here and I love the thought that you might find something of your own stories in my illustrations and words. I’d love to hear your story, your inspiration, and the things that light your soul and make your heart sing.

Connect, comment, ask questions, be part of a community that shares a love of stories creativity and inspiration.

You can see more of my illustrations and artwork and buy our book and beautiful gifts from our website.