Today we have an interview with Beverly Rowland, designer of new motivational posters and prints that we are stocking at Garrendenny Lane and owner of her business Mindful Productivity. We’re also having a giveaway. Yes, it’s getting close to the end of the school holidays, barely 4 weeks left which are going to fly and the weather is less than fabulous here so this giveaway will inspire us all to keep calm and be at one with ourselves
As you probably know, the original Keep Calm and Carry On posters were created during the Second World War and since being discovered some years ago, many adaptations have been created of them and here is another version of the Keep Calm poster.
What inspires you when creating your designs for your posters?
It usually starts with something grabbing my attention. It might be a colour combination, a typeface or often its just an idea that pops into my head. A lot of the time it’s something really random that has no relevance but I see in it something I like and make a note of it. I always carry a little Moleskin notebook with me so when I get an idea I can make a note of it. If I don’t write it down, it’s gone and all I can remember is that I had a good idea but not what it was!
Are all your designs intended to create calm?
They are intended to and hopefully they do help people remember to be calmer and more mindful. We all get so busy rushing around doing stuff we feel must be done that its good to have a few reminders around our home or work which catch our eye and remind us to come back to our present moment. If we don’t do that then we can miss the whole day sometimes as it just passes in a blur.
What meanings does ‘Be Mindful’ have for you?
For me,’be mindful’ is being aware of what we are doing as we are doing it. it’s getting done what we would like to get done but in a way that allows us to truly be there and not somewhere else in our heads as its happening. It’s sort of showing up for your own life.
How did Mindful Productivity start?
I’ve always had an interest in how we approach life and what life is really all about. I studied philosophy and psychology at uni and then took a diploma in life coaching. I really enjoyed having a coaching practice and helping people move forward in their life in a way that made them happy. Mindful Productivity is an extention of that, its just in a more design orientated way. It allows me to combine my interest in the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of life with my creative and artistic tendencies. It’s a sort of coming together of all the things I ever like to do.
Where are you based? Rural/urban? Do you think your living environment affects your sense of peace?
I am based in Co Mayo in what could be called a semi rural area. If I look out my back there are horses running around a field [not mine] yet I am only 10 minutes from Castlebar.
My favourite is the B@1. Which is your favourite and why?
I like the B@1 too. That design actually came to me in a flash one day about a year ago. I also like the Bringing Mindfulness one. As people seem to really like the words I put on it and many have said it does make them more conscious of the need to add mindfulness to their day. I like that because they are my words and I think its pretty nifty that they make people feel nice and calm and make them question how they approach life.
Giveaway
Now, I hope you all feel calmer after reading this post especially if you enjoyed a cuppa at the same time. Now for the giveaway. To enter the giveaway all you have to do is tell us which of Beverly motivational prints do you like best and why, the winner will be chosen next Tuesday by random number. You can see the
selection of the prints right here. Good luck
RSS entries
