A New Creative Rhythm

Reshaping this space around drawing, studio time, and seasonal reading

Dear creative friends,

This winter I’ve been reflecting on what feels alive in my creative life and what feels like obligation. I started this publication almost 2 years ago and the format has mostly stayed the same but my creative focus has changed a lot. This platform though far from perfect has reignited my love of writing and allowed me to connect with other creatives and I’m so grateful.

Over the years, I’ve accepted that I’ll likely always be a creative in the margins of my life. My creative time takes place alongside my full time office day job and being a parent. I used to resist this status to be honest and I was desperate to find a way to make a living from my creativity. I hoped Substack would have a big role to play in this dream — it hasn’t — but it has brought me other kinds of rewards which are not measured by growth.

Growth doesn’t feel right in my skin at the moment which isn’t helped when everywhere I look I see people chasing growth of some kind. This year I don’t want to grow, I’d like to tend to my creativity. I’ve realised I want this publication to be simpler, more rooted, and more aligned with where I am now.

Here’s what’s changing.

I’ll be stepping away from the Wednesday Wonder prompts. They’ve been a valuable part of this space, but I no longer want to create on a timetable. I want what I share to come from reflection and genuine inspiration, not from a schedule.

My articles (that’s what we call them now, apparently!) will focus more on reflections from my creative life: writing, drawing, working in the margins of everyday life. I’ll share recommendations, influences, books, and the ideas shaping me. As well as an account of drafting my first novel, the ups and downs and what I’m learning about myself in the process.

Our live sessions are evolving too.

On the second Tuesday of each month, I’ll now host a Draw Along Hour. This will remain a dedicated drawing space just slightly different. I’ll provide a curated moodboard of reference images which you can access anytime so you can even use it in your own time. During these sessions, we’ll still use gentle timed intervals to draw together. There won’t be slides anymore just shared practice and space to improve through doing and have fun along the way.

Alongside that, I’ll introduce a monthly Studio Hour: an open creative co-working space. This is a place to write, sketch, collage, draft, think, or quietly move forward with your own projects. If you want to draw during Studio Hour, you absolutely can. If you want to write or work on something else, that’s welcome too. Personally, I plan to mostly write during Studio Hours, working alongside each other adds a pinch of welcome accountability.

In short:

– Draw Along Hour = focused drawing practice

– Studio Hour = open creative space

Both are about shared making rather than teaching.

I’ll also be introducing a seasonal book club, with one live gathering per season. I’ve wanted to host a book club forever, and it feels beautifully suited to this new direction. I’ll share more details soon but I plan to have the first book club session in June 2026. What will we be reading? I think I know but I need to sleep on it a while longer.

Because the structure is becoming simpler and more intentional, I’ll be adjusting the membership price to reflect that. From today, paid membership will be £4 per month or £38 yearly (big discount!). This will centre around the monthly live gatherings and the seasonal book club. It feels more honest for what’s being offered and more sustainable for me.

You may also notice a change in the publication’s name in the coming weeks. The Curious Magpie has served me well, but I’m ready for something that reflects this quieter, cosier creative space. Please bear with me as I slowly but intentionally make changes to the overall look and feel of this publication over the next few months.

Nothing is ending, it’s simply becoming more focused, spacious, and focused on connecting with each other.

Existing paid members, thank you for being here. I hope you’ll continue along this slower path with me.

If you are a free subscriber and have some questions about upgrading my DM is always open and if you’d like to remain free I cherish you all the same.

Kindly,

Océane xoxo