Elyse Beard: Celebrating Heroines

Did you think of yourself as a creative kid? What does creativity look like for you these days?

No, never. I didn’t have a super supportive family life, so unique ways of thinking were never supported. I grew up thinking that 1) being creative had to result in something traditional or useful 2) I wasn’t good at those things, so I wasn’t creative. I worked really hard to be good at things people expected me to do, like dance/sports or singing. But I felt drawn toward different creative outlets like writing and drama, though I wouldn’t let myself pursue them seriously because I would most likely get made fun of.

Today, my take on creativity has changed a lot. Even as I began Bravery I didn’t consider myself a creative person with good ideas. I just believed my business partner had all the cool, creative ideas and that I would just help her out by working really hard. What I’ve learned, over the past four years especially, is that everyone is creative. There’s no right or wrong way to be creative. There’s no outlet that is more creative than others. Creativity looks like showing up for yourself in something you like to do and just doing it. Not for someone else that may or may not like what you put out there. Not to make money. You create for yourself.

How much time do you get to work on creative projects?

I would say the majority of my job is an ongoing creative project, but as such, it can often get bogged down as work instead of creating just for creation's sake. Outside of my job, I would ideally like to write for fun at least once a week but that rarely happens right now. I try to show up to that process whenever I can, but I’d like it to be more often.

How did motherhood change your creative practice?

Being creative requires you to give yourself permission to have some time by yourself, and at some stages of motherhood that feels impossible. So I’ve learned (and am still learning), to recognize the different seasons in my life. At times I’ve been able to be creative every day. Other times I have a newborn and can barely keep my kids fed or get one hour of sleep let alone take 10 minutes to write. Regardless, being a mom of four young kids, I’ve learned to take advantage of any spare moment and become very efficient with my creative time. I know it sounds a little weird to read creativity and efficiency in the same sentence. But Elizabeth Gilbert in Big Magic says it best: pretend you’re having an affair with your creativity. If you only get 15 minutes alone in a stairwell with your creativity, grab it and make the most of it.

How does art enrich your life? How does being a mother enrich your art?

Experiencing art that’s in the world, in all its forms, makes me feel connected to the human race. Beauty created from pain, love, sadness, anger—it all resonates with me on a very deep level. As for motherhood, I’ve learned some really important lessons about creativity as I’ve raised my kids. They are fearless about trying new things. They create because they want to, because they like to, because it’s fun. Being creative should be FUN! Motherhood reminds me not to take myself too seriously and just pursue the things that make me happy and are fun to do.

When do you feel most creative?

This is a pretty typical answer, but usually it's when I’ve stepped away from my normal, chaotic life, away from phones and social media, and do something out of the ordinary. Sometimes that’s being out in nature. Sometimes that’s just being in a quiet car for more than five minutes. Recently, I’ve also found my creativity is sparked by my anger or sadness at a social issue or difficulties with various interpersonal relationships. Writing is often how I work through that range of emotions and sometimes some really cool things happen as a result.

What helps you make time and space for being creative? How do you avoid burnout?

At this point in my life, if I want something to happen, I have to write it in my planner. And I usually have to sacrifice work or family time to make it happen. So if I’m a space where those two things are in alignment, I can make it happen. A big part of that is giving myself grace when it doesn’t work out. And on the other hand, I try to recognize my priorities and know that one of those priorities has to be myself. If I don’t allow myself to stop working and never give myself room to lean into other interests in my life, I get burned out very quickly.

Burnout has been an unwelcome friend for most of my (short) career, and it's only recently that I’ve learned how to (kind of) avoid it. Working on setting boundaries for myself where work is involved, making exercise a priority to help me move through that stress cycle, and working on stepping away from work even if a project isn’t done are all things I’m working on. 

What’s a dream project for you?

I dream about writing a novel someday.

What’s inspiring you outside of your own genre?

I don’t know if I really have a genre, but something that has been especially touching to me lately is storytelling that gives a real look at the humanity of the world. I love the relatability of the idea that all people hold both the beautiful and bright along with dark and ugly within themselves. We have capacity for both. And I think works that really explore those hard, beautiful truths of what make up humans really does me in. It could be through any medium—social media, poetry, dance, books, etc. But that’s what’s really inspiring to me right now.  

How would you like the world to see artists and mothers?

Sometimes I think society would have us believe that we have to choose between two choices, like it’s binary. But really, mothers are already natural artists. They shape and mold the little ones in their lives into unique and breathtakingly beautiful pieces of art. I would like the conversation to continue moving toward the reality that women don’t have to choose—artist or mother. Motherhood is one aspect of womanhood that some people choose to include in their lives. Being an artist is one aspect of your existence you choose to pursue. But there are millions of facets and millions of ways to create. It’s not binary.

How can we support and encourage each other more?

I believe that patriarchy pits women against each other. If we’re not careful, we become programmed to compete and compare. But as women, we’re much more creative, compassionate, efficient, and beautiful when we work together, use each other’s strengths, and give grace for each other’s weaknesses.

If you had a million dollars to make the world a better place, how would you spend it?

There are so many causes in the world that could use money that it sometimes feels overwhelming. But I think I’d infuse it into my local community in some way. I really believe that true world change happens in our communities at a grassroots level.

If you could give everyone a small treat, what would it be?

I have a serious sweet tooth, but if I had to choose one, it would be a homemade, hot-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookie.

If you had a free hour, how would you spend it? What about a free day?

If I only had an hour I’d love to meet up with a friend and go to lunch somewhere fun. A free day? That would include sleeping in, brunch, sitting somewhere outside to write or read, and then going to a movie/shopping/museum. Anytime I can take my time, walk slowly, eat whenever (and whatever) I want, and do whatever tickles my fancy that day sounds pretty dreamy!

What would you bring to a favorites party?

My go-to for favorites parties are always Lush bath bombs. They are my guilty pleasure.

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Elyse is a writer, mother, and co-founder of the kids’ publication Bravery Magazine. She has four kids, ages 9, 7, 5, and 3. Elyse loves good books, fancy chocolate, and deep, late-night chats. Follow her on Instagram.

This interview was originally published in 2021.

The Sidewalk Chalk Talks are inspiring interviews with mothers who are making space for creativity and finding ease and joy in the process. The women I admire are bright, visionary creatures who love their work and their families. The different dimensions of their lives enrich each other and the world we share. I hope these conversations will inspire you and your work!