Q&A with October’s speaker, Esther Loopstra, who will be speaking on the topic FLOW.

We all are creatives. Describe what you do, make or create in one sentence. I make art, illustration and workshops for the creatively curious.

What are the top creative challenges that you face in your day-to-day? The top creative challenges for me have been around what to prioritize and what to let go of. I’ve always had so many interests that discovering what I need to say no to and what I need to focus on has been a lifelong lesson.

When you get stuck creatively, what is the first thing you do to get unstuck? Take a break, give myself more time, meditate, draw or paint, work on something else. I will try anything that helps me to get out of the intensity of the focused / closed mind where I am trying to make something happen and into flow / open mind where the solution naturally comes to me.

How do you define creativity and apply it in your career? I like Steve Jobs’ definition “Creativity is just connecting things”. Exploration is one of my top values, so if I follow my intuitive “what if” questions, it usually leads to great connections and creations.

Where do you find your best creative inspiration? Science, nature, the unknown, other artists and thinkers.

What’s the one creative advice or tip you wish you’d known as a young person? Don’t make the logical choice - make the meaningful one.

What are you reading these days? The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van der Kolk. 

What fact about you would surprise people? I’m an introvert.

What’s the most recent thing you learned (big or small)? Our gut and heart talk to our brain through neurons!

What myths about creativity would you like to set straight? Creativity is not a talent, everyone has it. It’s not about art but about how you bring your own unique awareness and synthesis to any process you are involved in.

Where was the last place you travelled? SE Asia this summer.