Culture, Courage and Creativity

       J. S. Burke is an author, artist, chemist, teacher, and marine biologist, She lives in Georgia, USA.  With all these titles to her name, she can tell many stories but in this interview, we will focus on her career as an author and her current work: " The Dragon Dreamer   series" Her second book in the series " Dragon Lightning " recently won the Pinnacle Award for Best Science Fantasy. It is an absolute pleasure for our Culture and Creativity blog to feature an interview with J.S. Burke.  Your current book “ Dragon Lightning ” is the second book in a series, how did the whole dragon universe come to life? First, thank you for inviting me to be a part of your wonderful blog! What inspired me to write The Dragon Dreamer ? It all started with a bowl. I was admiring my ocean-blue ceramic bowl with its lumpy crystal, and suddenly I knew this was a dragon’s nest. Then I imagined dragon life and legends. I began writ...

Meet Analisa, a very talented young woman, with some very classy skills for making handcrafted Love Letters. She makes gifts for any occasion in life and her Etsy store is worth a visit. She was happy to answer some question about her work, her life and how she has managed to create her business through social media platforms. This girl is not afraid to follow her goals.                             Tell us a bit about yourself and your background?   I was born in London and have been living in the Camden area for the last 15 years. I worked full time in Advertising for various companies after leaving University, but after having my second child I decided to do something for myself so I could have flexible working hours and spend more time with my children. Also, childcare in central London pretty much eats up your monthly salary!                  ...

I had the pleasure of interviewing Yolanda Boag, known as Yollie. She lives in Australia. She is a very gifted artist. We talked about, her background, her art and her projects. You can read it all here. Welcome to her Fairy Castle.   Yollie, could you tell us a little bit about your background?  I was born in Adelaide, South Australia 39 years ago, 2 hours after the tragic news was announced that Elvis Presley has died.   Not being biased here at all, I'm married to Stewart who's my best friend and soul mate and have a wonderful and brilliantly gifted teenage daughter, who's  known simply as 'Miss P' to protect her privacy online.  I am the first  'Australian' in my family, my parents and grandparents were born in Italy and migrated to Australia in the 50's.   My childhood was rich in the beauty of Italian culture and traditions while still embracing and enjoying the typical relaxed Aussie way of life.   My favourite pl...

Welcome to Snow Island Why did I ever go the Fortune Teller that day? It really wasn't like me. Dad was a scientist so I grew up in a house of science and facts. It had always kept me grounded. But on impulse, I had gone and suddenly, I was questioning whether or not fate, destiny and miracles did exist. Now, I was on my way to a mysterious island where I would experience dangers I couldn’t begin to imagine. Where my thoughts, beliefs, facts I’d come to rely on—my view of the world itself—would all be called into question. And her words still haunt me. If I only knew how much of what she said would soon come to pass. But would it have changed anything? Would I have done anything differently? I’ll never know. (From Snow Island by M.Y.Zeman) In December 2016 Culture and Creativity had a talk with author M. Y. Zeman about her career and her future plans. Zeman has just released her third book in the “Snow” series “ Snow Island” . I am happy to announce that Zeman have ...

Teacher going jewellery designer! Rebecca is a born and raised London girl who is not about to let her creative skills go unattended. She lives in South West London with her 2 indoor rabbits. She has studied Art, History of Art and English Literature A-Levels. At Kingston University she did her post-graduate teaching qualification with a specialism of art. She is currently working as a teacher. Next to teaching, she has set up her own online store where she sells her own jewellery designs. I had a talk with her about her designs and her future plans. For how long have you been a jewellery designer? A few years ago I decided to try some jewellery making with the students I teach. When I was practising at home I loved it so much I ended up trying out more and more techniques.  I then went on a course at the London Jewellery School. I have been on a few more courses since, most recently at Central Saint Martins to learn experimental jewellery making. What inspire...