Episode 51

full
Published on:

3rd Aug 2025

Do you trust your creative instinct?

Welcome to this weeks' episode with guest Laura Lawes (@mouseandmeg on Instagram )

In 2021, Laura lost her job, which significantly impacted her confidence and left her wondering how she would ever be able to return to the workforce. Shortly afterwards, she accompanied her husband on a business trip and decided to do some sketching. As she watched little characters come to life on the page, she began to wonder if she could turn them into personalised paintings for children. However, her journey didn’t go exactly as planned, as her perfectionist tendencies meant each order would take days to complete. Recognising that her initial approach wasn’t sustainable, she realised she had fallen back in love with being creative and needed to find a new way to make it work. Laura then taught herself how to use the drawing app Procreate, allowing her to transform her sketches into children's prints. This led to a total rebrand and the birth of Mouse & Meg — a name inspired by her son Tom (whom she nicknamed Mouse since he was a baby) and her daughter Megan.

Key discussion points:

  • The grit and determination it takes to build a small creative business from the ground up.
  • How to adapt through changing times and the realities (and rewards) of creating social media content.
  • The pivotal 'sliding door' moments we often experience as we start to take the road less travelled, the butterfly effect of creative decisions, and the emotional journey of rebranding.
  • Tips and tools for anyone starting out with Procreate—so if you're a budding digital artist, you’ll definitely want to take notes.

Thank you for listening!

Stay wild x

Copyright 2025 Lucy Colgan

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About the Podcast

The Wilderness of Creativity
A platform for creatives to share their stories of survival.
Creativity: is it a luxury or a necessity? Whether you are a seasoned adventurer or just starting out on a new creative journey, think of me as your greatest fan! Tune into The Wilderness of Creativity every month to find out how my guests pursue creative focus and discover what it really means to take the road less travelled.
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About your host

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Lucy Colgan

Lucy's career spanning two decades has seen her excel as a versatile freelance artist, project manager, and director within the dynamic world of the creative industry. Armed with a PGCE in Drama and Performing Arts and a Professional Diploma in Dance from Trinity Laban, she effortlessly imparts her boundless energy and expertise to budding talents. Lucy crafts bespoke training sessions for educators and non-specialists working across various educational sectors and community platforms. Currently holding the position of Head of Dance and Drama at a leading independent school in Derbyshire, Lucy continues to inspire and empower the next generation of artistic trailblazers.