Welcome to your new
creative haven...

Ever had that feeling that you're so busy being productive that you've forgotten what it feels like to actually create something just for the joy of it?

That numbness isn't normal. It's what happens when we cut ourselves off from the part of us that makes meaning.

You haven't lost your creativity. You've just been looking for it in the wrong places.

This is why I’ve created The Imagination Collective, a home for your creativity to stretch, rest, and breathe. This isn’t just a moment in your week, but a space that meets you exactly where you are, again and again.

What if creativity wasn't about being "good" at art?

Creativity and creation are not the same.

Creativity focuses on a way of being - how we notice, interpret, and create meaning.

Creation focuses on output.

It’s not about creating a gallery worthy painting. It's about reconnecting with the parts of yourself you've abandoned in the name of being a responsible adult.

The presence.

The joy.

When you value the presence of creativity over the productivity of creation, the real masterpiece is in the moment, not what you make.

Creativity is our human-ness.

For example, if you:

Got dressed this morning, you likely chose colours and textures that felt right
Made your bed in a home you decorated yourself
Found words to comfort someone who needed them
Solved 17 problems before lunch in ways only you could

That's creativity.

You've been doing it your whole life. You just didn't call it that.

What this community actually is

This isn't an art class. This is accessible mindfulness - creative practice as life maintenance, not luxury.

Think of it like this: Traditional mindfulness says “clear your mind.” But when you’re anxious or overwhelmed, that’s nearly impossible.

Creative mindfulness says “occupy your hands” and suddenly your mind can actually rest. You’re not trying to think less. You’re giving your brain something better to focus on.

I created The Imagination Collective as a creative home. A place for you to stretch, rest, and breathe. A space without pressure.

Not always a quiet corner of the week (unless you want it to be)

but a space that meets you wherever you are: in joy or overwhelm, in curiosity or fatigue.

Here, creativity is not performance, or a product.

Its presence. It’s care.
It’s the small, steady act of showing up for yourself.

Why Art?

Creativity became my lifeline when nothing else worked.

Not because I set out to build a business, but because creativity stopped the noise.

When you’re overwhelmed, traditional mindfulness feels out of reach.

"Sit still and clear your thoughts" can feel like torture.

Writing about your feelings can make you feel more tangled, not less.

But when your hands are moving - when you're focusing on colour, detail, creating shapes - something shifts. Your nervous system exhales. Your thoughts quieten themselves without you forcing them to.

Art doesn't ask you to analyse or articulate what's wrong. It gives you something to do with all that restless energy. It's mindfulness for people whose minds won't sit still.

It's presence by focus.

It was the only thing that let me be present without having to be perfect.

This community is for you, if...

You've convinced yourself you're "not a creative person" but feel a quiet longing for something more

You're exhausted in a way sleep doesn't fix - empty despite staying busy

You downplay any creative interests ("I just dabble," "It's silly but...") because it feels safer than admitting you care

You feel guilty during any non-productive activity, like creativity is somehow selfish

You have art supplies sitting unused in cupboards, but you never make time for them

Every day you wait is another day of going through motions without meaning.

Here's how it works:

Creative Invitations

Monday Morning: Your Weekly Invitation

A new week brings a new gift, full of intention:

Every Monday, you can expect new creative prompt designed not to teach you "how to draw," but to shift how you notice the world.

This is about your creativity.

This isn't a challenge; it's an invitation, one curated to inspire your creativity and stretch your imagination.

It could be:

Shifting your perspective - a different view, a different use.

Switch your surroundings - challenge yourself.

A soft encouragement to step outside the box.

The focus is on creative interpretation. Your creative interpretation.

I'll share how I'd explore the prompt, not as the "right way," but as encouragement that there are infinite ways to respond.

Open Studio

Our weekly community meet - every Wednesday at 7pm, on a live Zoom call.

This is your dedicated space to create in community.

An hour where you give yourself permission to create alongside others who understand. No pressure to attend every week. No requirement to share your work. Just a warm, nurturing space to explore the prompt together and give your mind space to breathe.

Think of it less like a class and more like a club - you can drop in when you can, stay as long as you want, create with us or just observe.

The call becomes an anchor point in your week, a moment of intentional creative pause.

Notes from the desk

Every Friday - a creative reflection becomes your encouraging weekend send-off.

These reflections on the week's prompt serve as a gentle ponder - how can we infuse more intentional, present creativity in our everyday lives?

You can also expect further expansion of the prompt and suggestions for creative endeavours over the weekend.

There is a gentle, but welcoming, invitation to share your creative work from the week. No pressure, just support.

Access to our private community space on Slack - updated throughout the week

A judgment-free environment where imperfection isn't just allowed - it's the whole point

And, of course:

A bank of creative prompts, for when ready is the decision you make

Art is everywhere threads -

encouragement to share your creative noticing

Occasional creative articles that I think you'd enjoy

Plus something extra, for when inspiration strikes:

It's not about the outcome.
It's about the process.

Research shows that creative practice:

Increases cognitive flexibility and problem-solving abilities (yes, it makes you better at your job)
Reduces cortisol and activates your parasympathetic nervous system (actual stress relief)
Builds emotional resilience and self-awareness
Provides healthy processing for stress, grief and life changes

But more importantly:

Creativity is how we process what we can't put into words.

I wan't to join!

Who's leading this?

I'm Lauren. For years now, I've been living proof that creativity isn't a hobby - it's a wellbeing tool, and a fundamental part of the human experience.

And guess what? I honestly think it's like magic.

When ill health forced me to leave my dreams of a ballet and performing career, I didn't just lose the dream I'd spent my life working towards. I lost my entire sense of self.

Throughout the painful treatment journey, I leant on my creativity as a form of mindfulness before I even knew what it was doing for me. I just wanted my brain to be quiet, and it was the only thing that gave me some relief.

For the first time in years, I had pockets of presence in my day, where I could be without being productive. I could create something - perfectly imperfect - and enjoy the presence of it.

Creativity rebuilt me.

It saved my life.

My passion for it became the foundation for a new creative career - one that would bring me joy, provide flexible work through years of chronic illness, and allow me to connect to others and to myself again.

When art and creativity literally saves your mental health, you understand its power in a way art classes never teach.

I'm not a therapist. This isn't therapy. But I know specifically what it's like to need something - anything - to make you feel better. And I know that creative practice can be that thing.

This community exists because I've lived through the struggle. And I refuse to gatekeep what saved me.

This is why I place emphasis on
nurturing and encouraging creativity.

You don't need me to teach you how to be creative - you already have that within you. I focus on helping you remember and connect to it.

Founding member offer

I'm offering a special founding members rate for the first 8 people to join The Imagination Collective.

Founding Member Rate: £40/month (locked in for as long as you stay)
Full Price after founding spots fill: £50/month

Founding members help shape what this becomes. Your feedback will influence how we grow. And in return, you lock in this rate forever.

Make me a founding member

Join
The Imagination Collective

Join as a founding member

The real question...

It's not whether you're creative enough.

It's whether you're brave enough to remember.

You've been telling yourself that you don't have time, that you're not good enough, that there's 'so much else that takes priority'. Meanwhile, you're exhausted, and you can't remember the last time you switched off.

But you are still here reading.

Something made you stay.

Wanting a break isn't a weakness. That's wisdom.

That's human.

Your soul knows what it needs, even when your mind argues against it. I'm holding space for you.

Join the collective

FAQ:

What is ‘The Imagination Collective’?

The Imagination Collective is a creative community, designed to encourage you to bring more creativity in your life. I am an Illustrator, therefore we focus from an art perspective, but creativity is so much more than that. The inspiration prompts encourage you to think outside the box and notice creativity in aspects of your day to day life.

There are 3 elements of the community which are present each week:

Monday - an inspiration invitation and creative prompt is shared

Wednesday - our weekly zoom call at 7pm, 1 hour to create in community

Friday - creative reflections and encouragement for further creativity in life

There are a few additional features, such as opportunities to share your work, engage in creative discussions, and times where i may share inspiration for further creativity.

Do I need anything in particular to join?

The beauty of The Imagination Collective is that you don’t need anything specific- past joining our slack group, paper and something to make marks with! You can use whichever art tools you like during creative practice.

What If I can’t make every week?

This space is gentle, it is not designed to be another pressure in life. Therefore, there is no expectation to join the live calls weekly, or engage with every prompt. Please feel free to join in with as much, or as little, as you would like.

Do I have to share my work?

Similarly to above, there is no pressure to share any work you create, unless you would like to. Sharing is always welcome and encouraged - because everyone is creative, but absolutely not essential!

Can you explain what happens in the Open Studio call?

Our Open Studio call is the weekly live Zoom call, held every Wednesday evening between 7-8pm. I’ll share the link in the slack group ahead of the call, and you can join by clicking the link.

You are welcome to join with your camera and microphone on or off, depending on what you feel comfortable with. During the call, we will focus on the weekly creative prompt, where I’ll show you an example of how I’ll access the prompt, and encourage you to find your own interpretation. At the end of the call, there is optional reflection and discussion!

Open Studio is a relaxed space, feel free to mute yourself and play music, enjoy with a cup of tea, and use whatever material you would like.

Who is this suitable for?

I believe that everyone is creative, therefore this community is suitable for people who have lots of experience with art, and those who are new to exploring this wonderful practice.