When I saw your post on instagram it felt like a much needed offer of support at the time. I knew it would be useful to me to just have some space, to take time to think, to meander. I had engaged with you in different capacities before so, as well as presenting an opportunity to reconnect, I already had a level of trust with you. At the time I felt paused in my practice, because of what was happening in the world, and our conversations helped me to focus on what I can control and explore ‘what if?’ The session was more informal that what I anticipated. I felt like our thoughts and interests were mutual, which helped the session to develop into more of a conversation with peers.

I felt like I’ve had ideas floating after each session. It’s been a continuous conversation between the two of us that has helped me to feel like I’m not on my own. I’ve took comfort in talking with someone else who really knows, who has similar thoughts and experiences, along with a wealth of knowledge to share. Our revolving interactions have given me the chance to pick up different threads of thought and connect them overtime, giving meaningful consideration as to where I am heading. I can use the time to fully exhaust what is in my head so I can then move forward, which stops me from moving around in circles. At points, I have felt able to actually take time away because I have felt more resolved. I usually wouldn't afford myself this.

- Charlie Birtles, Creative Practitioner

Melody is a great communicator, and most of that comes through her careful listening and deep understanding of what makes creatives tick. She is quietly determined, with a playful undertone that really gets to the heart of what you are trying to say. Her webinar for us was full of practical tips and great insights, with a very calm and professional delivery. Great to work with her.

- Patricia van den Akker, The Design Trust

I first discovered Melody through The Design Trust and signed up for her email list.I loved getting her emails every month and when I was planning to apply for funding I decided to contact Melody to help me with writing the application. I had been procrastinating on getting the application done and realised that I needed help. Melody was the first person I thought of.

Our first session went beyond what I expected. I got so much out of talking through my ideas and came away feeling much clearer about what I was doing and the direction I wanted to take. Melody helped me to write a clear and concise proposal.

Working with Melody was amazing. Our sessions were about so much more than just writing about my practice. Melody really listened to my ideas and helped me hone in on what my work is really about.

The work I have done with Melody has empowered me to be more ambitious with my practice. Her enthusiasm, understanding and insightful comments have given me the confidence to take my work to the next level. I highly recommend Melody and look forward to working with her again on future projects.

- Catherine Lucktaylor, Ceramicist

I booked in as I was feeling quite lost, unconfident and directionless with my current work. I wanted to bounce some ideas/concerns off someone and get advice. I saw that other makers I follow were doing sessions, and sharing good feedback afterwards, which spurred me onto signing up.

It was more informal than I expected which was actually really nice especially as it was during lockdown and I was feeling fairly fragile. You are very approachable, down to earth and insightful and gave me lots of food for thought, validation on some areas that I needed, and confidence in the areas that I was feeling a little insecure about. I joked that it was like 'artist therapy' but it is genuinely what it felt like afterwards. I felt renewed and energised after sharing my woes, and enjoyed being able to be myself and joke around too. I wouldn't hesitate to book in again in the future.

I still feel very positive after our session even though it was a little while ago now. Your advice still resounds in my head when I am feeling a bit wobbly with my creativity. I have stopped worrying so much about how my practice "looks" on social media and feel less self conscious about putting all of my work online, instead of worrying that it doesnt 'fit together' or seem coherent. You told me that it all builds a bigger picture of my practice for my audience, which gives me the confidence that I am on the right lines. It also helped me to widen my field of vision of what I engage with, which in turn has spurred on a lot more ideas for me and more of a sense of direction for the future. Thanks so much!

-Eva Elliot, Ceramics & Jewellery

Reimagine has supported me to reflect on the possible directions I could potentially take my artistic practice in the future. I found the combination of video and PDF resources really helpful, as I'm able to feel that much-needed personal connection, whilst also taking the time to ponder specific questions more deliberately and directly.

Melody is one of my favourite people to work with because she is always very thoughtful and considerate. She has gently encouraged me to consider things from a more positive, yet realistic and practical perspective.

-Rachael Colley, Interdisciplinary Artist

I booked the 1:1 initially as I was looking for some clarity around finding my voice and communicating about my practice. I'd seen that this was something you focus on, and I really admire your writing, so I thought it would be great to talk things through with you.

I was a bit nervous before the session, as I can find it tricky to express my ideas but I felt instantly at ease talking things through. I felt like you asked exactly the right questions for me to be able to clarify things in my mind, as well as really helpful practical ideas for me to work on moving forward.

After the session, I was buzzing with ideas and wanted to start on them straight away! Things had grown very organically with my practice and I felt like some ideas had become quite muddled, I felt much more reassured and able to follow my instincts with my visuals, and letting the words follow.

I have taken on your suggestion of recording a myself in a conversation about my work and listening back - this has been great and it's so much easier for me to pull out ideas in this way. I have also been keeping a list of notes about my practice as and when I think of them, that I can draw on later on. I was also really inspired by our discussion on sustainability, and downloaded your Sustainability Audit to work through. This is a really ongoing process and I have lots of thoughts around this as my work develops.

-Emily Marston, Ceramics

I was just finishing off the course today and enjoying putting together a little poster for myself to hang in my studio to help remind me to reconnect with myself when I'm working, with my values, needs and aims and why the heck I'm doing this.

I really enjoyed this course, it was light and gentle. I felt a lovely connection with myself and my creative practices. I'm a sensitive person who needs a lot of gentleness so this was perfect thank you. The words "goals, focus and motivate" always fill me with dread but this was a warmer way to find my way into it, my "doing" and "to do list".

-Sabira Botterill, Singer & Artist

Reimagine has been and continues to be an excellent stimulant for reviewing, and reflecting on last year and making plans for this year.

Melody delivers her course in a non-prescriptive way that encourages me to think creatively about how I can approach this task. She takes one on a relaxed series of discursive ideas that gently prod one into looking at reviewing and planning in new ways.

Her course is for practitioners who want to learn to be kind to themselves rather than constantly berate themselves for underachieving.

-Phil Koomen, Furniture Designer & Maker

I came to the point where I knew I needed sound help as I was in the process of applying for important funding. I was feeling tired, anxious and allowing my insecurities to fog up my thoughts.

So I made the wisest decision and turned to Melody and I am so very thankful for Melody’s help.
She made the whole process so easy and gave me back my confidence in writing my objectives and aims for this particular funding application. She was able to pinpoint the weaknesses in my application, make strong recommendations for improving and clearing my thoughts in my writing and it didn’t take forever… she was very efficient and I was able to finish the application well before the deadline.

I so much appreciated her support and positiveness. It made all the difference. And more importantly, I will continue using her consultancy in the future because in working together she has come to understand my practice and her clarity in writing and her insights will be invaluable to me.

- Chrisoula Konstantakou, ceramicist

I contacted Melody for help with writing my Artist’s Statement as I was struggling to write one that was succinct while also describing my work and narrative which has a number of threads.

Melody visited my studio where we talked through what I wanted the piece of writing to be used for and what my work was about. Melody asked many questions about the work and where I wanted to take it in the future. She recorded our conversation for her reference but also as an additional resource for me as she later sent me the files of the audio too.
Melody has a lot of experience in working with creatives and offered advice and action points for me - which she also included in a well laid out document - very useful. The final piece of writing is just what I wanted and I feel that Melody took great care to fully understand my work and the motivation for it.
The whole experience was very positive and I not only now have a great Artists’ Statement, but it has also helped me feel more confident when talking about my work.

- Diane Griffin, ceramics