Join AuDHD artist Elinor Trier aka Zuzu (who might possibly be a pile of cats in a sparkly trench coat) as she talks to her fellow artists and creatives about the magic of the creative process - what they make and, in particular, how they make it - their rituals and workflows, inspirations and disenchantments, ebbs and flows.
If you enjoy conversations about art, creativity, neurodivergence, and business, then you’re in the right place.Find out more at https://zuzushausofcats.com/
Join AuDHD artist Elinor Trier aka Zuzu (who might possibly be a pile of cats in a sparkly trench coat) as she talks to her fellow artists and creatives about the magic of the creative process - what they make and, in particular, how they make it - their rituals and workflows, inspirations and disenchantments, ebbs and flows.
If you enjoy conversations about art, creativity, neurodivergence, and business, then you’re in the right place.Find out more at https://zuzushausofcats.com/
I'm absolutely delighted to share my conversation with Helen C. Stark, the brilliant artist behind The Time Foragers Club on Substack. Helen's journey from postnatal depression to successful artist is both inspiring and deeply moving - she discovered her love of creating again through a local art group that literally kept her alive during her darkest moments. From there, she built an illustration career that included creating the first Edinburgh colouring book, before eventually moving to Yorkshire where she stripped everything back to focus on what truly mattered to her: colour, joy, and the practice of noticing beauty in everyday life.
What I find most captivating about Helen's work is how she's created this entire world around the concept of ‘time foraging’ - gathering moments of beauty and meaning from both the past and present. Her weekly visual journals are like love letters to the ordinary magic that surrounds us, from blackberry picking rituals inspired by her childhood in France to creating watercolours from earth pigments collected on beaches where the Brontës once walked. Her recent Ode to Charlotte collection, which sold out incredibly quickly, perfectly demonstrates how she weaves together historical inspiration, personal ritual, and artistic practice into something truly special.
Helen's approach to creativity feels revolutionary in its simplicity - she's chosen to look for joy as a deliberate act of resistance against the darkness in the world. Through The Time Foragers Club, she's building a community of people who want to carve out time for creativity and noticing. Her story reminds us that being an artist is a lifelong practice of curiosity, play, and finding beauty in the most unexpected places.
✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep15-helen-c-stark
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🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.
In one of my favourite episodes of the pod to date, I sit down with Copenhagen drag legend Annie Rection for a conversation that had me in stitches from start to finish. Annie is a comedy drag queen known for her sharp wit, high-energy performances, and incredible hosting skills. In 2025, she even toured Europe opening for Bob the Drag Queen after impressing him with an impromptu comedy set!
We dive deep into the art of drag comedy, exploring how Annie balances multiple creative disciplines - from makeup artistry to joke writing to lip-syncing. She shares brilliant insights about her creative process, including how she approaches structuring a show, and how she manages to translates her material between Danish and English.
Our conversation touches on some heavier topics too - the responsibility of being many people's first introduction to drag, the reality of running a creative business, and the recent protests against drag performances in Denmark. Annie's perspective on art as activism and the inherent political nature of drag is both moving and inspiring.
What struck me most about Annie is her incredible warmth and vulnerability. She's the perfect gentle entry point for drag newcomers whilst still being razor-sharp in her comedy. Her advice for aspiring creatives is honest and practical - it's hard work, you'll make sacrifices, but if it's truly important to you, it will make you happier than you can imagine.
If you've never been to a drag show, Annie's infectious enthusiasm will have you booking tickets immediately. And if you're a fellow creative navigating the challenges of turning your art into your livelihood, you'll find wisdom and solidarity in abundance.
✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep14-annie-rection
💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch
🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.
In this episode, I sit down with Swedish watercolour artist, educator, and creative business coach Louise Stigell for an honest conversation about building a sustainable creative practice on your own terms.
Louise's journey is one of transformation and intentional choice-making. After burning out from her career as a freelance writer and web designer in 2020, she rediscovered art as therapy and never looked back. What started as painting birds for healing became a thriving multi-faceted creative business that includes original artwork, YouTube content creation, online courses, and voice coaching for fellow creatives.
Louise doesn't mince words about what she calls the "pornification of art" on social media platforms. We dive deep into why Instagram's highlight reel culture creates unrealistic expectations and how she's built her business primarily through YouTube and email marketing instead.
From her game design background, Louise brings a fascinating perspective on gradually "levelling up" your comfort zone. We explore how she overcame social anxiety to start a YouTube channel and how that confidence translates across all areas of her creative practice.
Finally, Louise offers invaluable advice about the tension between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation when you turn your art into your livelihood. She's refreshingly honest about the challenges of maintaining your love for your craft when it becomes your income source.
✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep13-louise-stigell
💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch
🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.
In this delightful episode, the wonderful Orla Stevens takes us on a journey through the Scottish landscapes that have shaped her artistic vision - from the mists of the Trossachs to the wild beauty of Orkney. We delve into how she transforms the often grey and green Scottish countryside into explosively colourful works that capture not just what she sees, but how these places make her feel.
Orla also shares her unique practice of incorporating sound into her visual work, drawing what she hears in the landscape and translating music into colour palettes.
We chat about the reality of being a full-time artist, and how you're really juggling two full-time jobs. One of my favourite insights from our conversation is Orla's approach to business and art as mutually supportive rather than competing forces. Her teaching and community-building work creates space for her personal painting practice, showing how both sides of an art business can feed each other.
✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep12-orla-stevens
💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch
🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.
In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Kyla Yager, a Toronto-based artist who has turned her ADHD into her creative superpower.
Kyla creates what she calls "intuitive ADHD art" - maximalist, pattern-rich paintings that capture the energy and emotion of the moment. Her work is a celebration of neurodivergent experience, transforming the hyperactivity of her mind into stunning visual expressions that invite others to unmask and connect with their own authentic selves.
Kyla shares how her artistic evolution mirrors her journey of unmasking her neurodivergence - from hyperrealistic portraits in her youth to the explosive, pattern-filled canvases she creates today. One of the most fascinating aspects of Kyla's practice is her love of live painting and speed competitions. She describes the rush of creating in front of audiences, how she channels the energy of a room into her work, and why performing whilst painting makes her feel most alive.
We explore Kyla's belief that art speaks louder than words and how she uses her practice as both personal therapy and a tool for connecting with others. Her work creates safe spaces for people to explore their own emotions and experiences of otherness.
✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep11-kyla-yager
💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch
🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.
In this episode, I sit down with the wonderful Dave Conrey - artist, graphic designer, and zine-maker extraordinaire - for a conversation that had me itching to get back to my studio before we'd even finished recording.
Dave and I originally connected way back in 2013 (which is basically a century in internet years), and it was such a joy to reconnect and dive deep into his creative practice. What I love about Dave is not only how fearless he is when it comes to his creative output, but how excited he gets about his work too. He was so inspiring to talk to!
If you're someone who gets excited about DIY/punk culture, is looking for a way to bring more tangible, touchable art into your life, or has ever wanted to make a zine but didn't know where to start, this episode is absolutely for you. Dave's enthusiasm for experimentation and his "what would happen if..." approach to making art is genuinely infectious.
✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep10-dave-conrey
💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch
🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.
This week I'm absolutely delighted to share my conversation with Tara Leaver, an artist and educator whose journey back to creativity after depression is both inspiring and deeply relatable.
Tara and I first connected back in 2016, and what I've always loved about her approach is how she teaches the often-overlooked elements surrounding art-making - the mindset work, the process development, and crucially, how to find your own artistic voice rather than simply copying your teachers.
In this episode, we dive deep into Tara's fascinating dual practice of making sea-inspired paintings in Cornwall whilst simultaneously supporting other creatives through courses and mentorship. She's refreshingly honest about the challenges of context switching between these two sides of her work.
What really captivates me is how Tara translates her sensory experiences of swimming in the cold Cornish sea into her paintings. Her process is a beautiful marriage of visual reference and sensory memory. We also unpack her concept of the "Happy Artist" - which isn't about perpetual joy, but rather about being an artist within the full context of human life.
As Tara puts it, we're not creating in bubbles; we're artists with lives that happen outside the studio, and acknowledging that context is crucial for sustainable creative practice.
✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep9-tara-leaver
💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch
🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.
This week's chat is with the absolutely brilliant Amie McNee, author of the brand new book We Need Your Art: Stop Fucking Around And Make Something – which, by the way, is hands down one of the best books on creativity I've ever read. Seriously, I put it down halfway through just to go make some art, which is exactly what you want from a creativity book, isn't it?
Amie is first and foremost a storyteller and fiction writer, but over the past decade she's also developed this beautiful side career championing artists and documenting what it actually means to do the brave thing of making art and putting it out into the world.
We dive deep into so many juicy topics in this conversation. We talk about why creativity is literally your birthright (not something you need to earn or prove you deserve), the relationship between art-making and healing, and why perfectionism is the absolute worst trait an artist can have.
Amie shares her beautifully unromantic approach to creative practice, we nerd out about the brain chemistry of creativity and what art does to our nervous systems, and she shares all the goss about her experience with traditional publishing versus self-publishing.
But perhaps most importantly, we talk about why making art – in any form – is genuinely revolutionary when the world wants you scrolling on your phone instead. Why artists sit at the very centre of making this world a better place, and why we absolutely must be delusional and unrealistic in our creative ambitions.
✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep8-amie-mcnee
💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch
🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.
We kick off season two of the pod with this gorgeous conversation with Andrea Schroeder, founder of the Creative Dream Incubator. What I love about Andrea is that she goes DEEP! She talks about doing the real work, the deep work, the kind that takes years and changes you from the inside out.
We dive into some seriously meaty territory here. Andrea talks about learning to sit with self-doubt instead of bulldozing through it, and how that practice has made her unshakeable even when the world feels chaotic. She shares the difference between making art for approval versus accepting your creative expression as it is - because how you do one thing is how you do everything.
But perhaps my favourite part is when Andrea talks about her hope project for 2025. In a world that feels increasingly scary and divided, she's filling an entire planner with hope. Sometimes painting, sometimes writing, just spending time thinking about hope and inviting others to do the same. It's such a beautiful act of resistance.
We also talk about being ‘women of a certain age’ on the internet and the tension between wanting to show up authentically but also feeling the pressure to conform to conventional beauty standards. Andrea's take on being "dishevelled" right now (and questioning what's wrong with anyone who isn't) feels both permissive and incredibly sane.
This conversation is for anyone tired of hustle culture who wants to build something sustainable that honours who you are. Fair warning though - Andrea's advice about going towards what you most want to avoid might be the most terrifying and necessary thing you hear all year.
✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep7-andrea-schroeder
💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch
🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.
In the final episode of season one, I sit down with Tracy Verdugo, an Australian artist and teacher whose vibrant work and approach to creativity has touched lives worldwide. Like many of us, Tracy came to art later in life - she was 33 when she first picked up a paintbrush, believing until then that creativity was something other people did.
Our conversation explores how she moved from teaching art to neighbourhood children to running international workshops and retreats, building a thriving creative business while managing chronic illness. We dig into the reality of being a working artist - the challenge of balancing creative time with business demands, the importance of working in seasons, and how to stay connected to the joy of making art when it's also your livelihood.
What I love about this conversation is how Tracy emphasises the importance of community over commodity. Her approach isn't about quick wins or marketing tricks - it's about building genuine connections and letting the business grow organically from there. Whether you're considering taking your art professional or simply wanting to develop a more consistent creative practice, Tracy offers practical insights about staying true to yourself while building something sustainable.
✍ Read the full show notes here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep6-tracy-verdugo
💻 Visit Tracy's website here: https://tracyverdugo.com/
💌 Never miss an episode - sign up for my Studio Letters here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/keepintouch
🎶 All music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.
You're in for an absolute treat with this episode! I had the utter joy of chatting with the phenomenal Rachel Allen - a writer, journalist, and memoirist who's as sharp as a tack and twice as insightful.
Rachel and I dove headfirst into the glorious mess of creative writing, particularly when it comes to tackling sensitive subjects. We talked about everything from how she approaches writing about trauma (including her own) to the importance of treating every single person with compassion and humanity - even those society might deem 'unworthy'.
I was utterly gobsmacked by Rachel's ability to find the humanity in everyone she encounters. She has this incredible knack for excavating stories from the most unexpected places - from prison guards to taxi drivers.
We also chewed over the challenges of balancing honesty and authenticity in storytelling with respecting the privacy and feelings of those involved. And of course, we couldn't help but touch on the importance of self-care when dealing with heavy subjects.
If you're fascinated by the human condition and love a good, juicy story (who doesn't?), then pop the kettle on and settle in for a listen. I promise you'll come away feeling inspired, uplifted, and maybe even a tad more compassionate towards your fellow humans.
✍ Read the full show notes here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep5-rachel-allen
💻 Visit Rachel's website here: https://www.rachelcatherineallen.com/
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🎶 All music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.
Join me for a delightful conversation with the wonderful Edward Ficklin! In this episode of Zuzu's Haus of Cats Presents… we explore the risqué world of Edward's erotic art and discuss the hurdles of being an erotic artist in our increasingly conservative digital landscape.
Edward and I chat about everything from the beauty of comics as a medium (not just a genre) to the frustrations of dealing with censorship on social media platforms. We share a laugh over his clever ways of working around the rules and talk about the importance of creating your own community when the mainstream isn't quite ready for you.
But it's not all heavy stuff - we also discuss Edward's creative process, his fondness for flowers (Georgia O'Keeffe would approve), and how he juggles his art with a day job. Plus, we delve into the wonderfully subversive world of creating art that's filthy without breaking any rules - how's that for clever?
So, if you're feeling a bit daring and want to push at your edges a little bit without being shut down by the Internet, this episode is a must listen. Enjoy, darling!
✍ Read the full show notes here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep4-edward-ficklin
💻 Visit Edward's website here: https://edwardficklin.com/
💌 Never miss an episode - sign up for notifications here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast
🎶 All music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.
I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with the multi-talented Lucy H. Pearce this week, and let me tell you, it was a corker.
Lucy is one of those people who does ALL THE THINGS - she's an artist, an author, an editor, and runs her own publishing company (Womancraft Publishing). We had a proper natter about what it's like to be neurodivergent and creative, and how getting diagnosed with autism later in life can crack your world wide open.
We dug into the nitty-gritty of being a "multi-passionate" creative (hello, kindred spirit!) and how to juggle all those balls without dropping dead from exhaustion. Lucy shared some fantastic insights about her creative process and how she approaches making art that resonates on a gut level.
And of course, we couldn't help but dive into the whole neurodiversity and creativity thing. It was fascinating to hear how Lucy's diagnosis has shaped her understanding of herself and her work, and she dished out some proper good advice for other creatives who might be feeling a bit out of step with the world too.
If you're into the intersection of creativity and neurodiversity, or just fancy hearing about forging your own unique path in the arts, you're going to love this episode - it's chock-full of inspiration and practical tips. Give it a listen and let me know what you think!
✍ Read the full show notes here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep3-lucyhpearce
💻 Visit Lucy's website here: http://www.lucyhpearce.com/
💌 Never miss an episode - sign up for notifications here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast
🎶 All music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.
