By Andrea McArthur

Welcome! This year I am honoured to be bringing you the "Interviews" column and background information on some of our highly regarded Creative Women's Circle Full Members. I must say that after looking through the Database I have been forming some major creative crushes on the members.

What truly inspires and interests me for this blog series is finding out people's unique journey, what drives them to be creative and to stay inspired. This is what I'll be digging for in the interviews to come.

Firstly I will be using this space to introduce myself, so that you can get to know me a little better.

 What led you down your current path?

I have always known that I wanted to work in a creative field, my mother was an Art School dropout and vowed that I would finish what she had started. Back when I was in high school Graphic Design was then called Commercial Art. So after graduating I enrolled into the Bachelor of Design Studies –Graphic Design at Queensland College of Art, Griffith University, Brisbane. I found my first job (Graphic Design Junior, In-house at Thiess) as part of a Professional Practise unit with the College. From there it has been a road of many studios and in-house departments. True for many creatives I need to stay motivated and 4 years ago I found myself teaching Graphic Design at a private college, Shillington College. Over the years the most fulfilling aspect of this job is watching the "light bulb" moment happen for students. Teaching is a rewarding path which I currently juggle part time, whilst freelancing and taking contract studio positions. I honestly believe that all creatives should take the challenge to work for themselves at least once in their career, I know that it has been an eye opener for me.

 Where do you feel most inspired?

Currently I am working on a personal project called "Mrs Gibbs" with a good friend and colleague Renee Rogers. We have bought basic screen printing materials and have had two sessions of printing to date. I am loving the back to basics aspect and the nature of craft inherent in a hand created art. The freedom to experiment and make mistakes is inspiring me at the moment.

Who do you admire?

It's going to sound corny but some of my students have been the biggest inspiration to me in the last few years. Yes I continue to have creative crushes on beautiful typographers like Jessica Hische and Gemma O'Brien aka Mrs Eaves but these young creatives blow my mind.

 What has been your most favourite project in recent years?

My most favourite project is probably one of the smallest and most incomplete designs that I have worked on. However, I was given a lot of creative freedom and was able to concept up several very complete ideas with an element of hand lettering. This has also been one of the most discussed pieces in my folio in recent interviews. The project was a freelance job for Volt Design, for an Artisan travelling exhibition called "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor".

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

At the moment I am juggling a short contract position at an in-house department, rushing off to teaching 2 nights a week and catching up on my freelance client work whenever I can. Phew!

 5 Questions in 5 minutes – Getting Personal:

Studio Sounds, what's playing? Art of Sleeping, new Brisbane band on the block.

What are you currently reading? The Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes.

What are you looking forward to? Getting back to full time client work and investing more time in building my website and side projects.

 Can you share your go to resource for inspiration? designspiration.net and Twitter (@andyjane_mc).

 What is your local areas best kept secret? The South Side Tea Rooms, Morningside and The Rabbit Hole Ideation Cafe co-working hub, Fortitude Valley.

Do you also have a creative crush on a Creative Womens Circle Full Member? If so and you would like to learn more about them or have a specific question that you would like to ask them, please email me hello@andyjane.com and I may be able to facilitate your crush.