There’s something quietly magnetic about Ruth. She doesn’t take centre stage, but when she speaks, people lean in. And that’s exactly what happens every other week on level 1 at the Little BIG House, where a small group gathers for The Artist’s Way. Some arrive a little nervous, unsure of what they’ve signed up for. But Ruth is there, steady and warm, making sure everyone feels welcome.

Ruth started out as an environmental lawyer, young, determined, and passionate about protecting the planet. But something was missing. “It didn’t leave much room for creativity,” she says simply. So, she pivoted into science journalism, making documentaries for the ABC and Radio New Zealand, often recording from unusual places like hospital operating theatres or on rocky slopes looking for fossils. Then she started creating historical pieces, “stories that need to be told”, she says. More recently, she became a career coach, helping others find their path. But through it all, the creative spark tugged quietly at her sleeve.

She discovered The Artist’s Way by chance, or as she calls it, “happendipity,” a mix of happenstance and serendipity. After completing the program twice, she wanted to do it again but, couldn’t find a group to join, so she decided to lead one herself. That’s how her Creative Circle came to life at the Little BIG House.

The sessions are honest, messy, and full of heart. Attendees talk about the chapters they’ve read, their Morning Pages and Artist Dates, the things holding them back, and the synchronicities guiding them forward. They share pieces they have created: writing, sewing projects, poetry, songs, photography, art, even roasted rosemary maple cashews (indeed, creativity shows up in all sorts of ways).

Ruth has a way of listening that makes you feel like your words matter, even the half-formed ones. She doesn’t push or direct, she just creates a space where people find themselves saying things they didn’t know they needed to say. It’s not really about making art for art’s sake. It’s about spirituality and coming back to yourself, alongside others doing the same.

Two past participants have decided to make big moves, one to South America, another to Tasmania. Both credit The Creative Circle for helping them find the clarity to take those steps. Many others just feel less alone.

“I thought I was starting this to help my writing,” Ruth reflects. “But what I found was I love holding space for others. That’s where my creativity lives right now.”

In the meantime, her Creative Circle continues to grow, gently and steadily. And each time someone walks into that room upstairs at the Little BIG House, unsure of whether they belong, Ruth is there to remind them that they do.

If you’ve been craving space to reconnect with your creativity, whatever that looks like for you, The Artist’s Way Creative Circle might be the gentle nudge you’ve been waiting for. Sessions run every other week for a season of seven, but dates vary. Check our calendar or get in touch to find out when the next one is happening.

Here’s more about Ruth:

I’ve been a Summer Hill local since …

I have lived in Summer Hill for a total of 10 years, but I moved over the bridge last year. I miss the village atmosphere a lot! 

This community is special to me because …

The Summer Hill community is really special to me because I feel like I belong. People are creative and welcoming and I never feel out of place wearing colourful clothes.

My favourite thing about the Little BIG House is …
The space itself is really warm and inviting. The energy in the upstairs room has enabled some really deep conversations as part of The Artist’s Way creative circle and I feel lucky to be able to use the facility.

The event / program I’m running in the Little BIG House is …

The Artist’s Way creative circle is a group of people who want to recover their creativity by following the readings and exercises in the book The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. The book was written over 30 years ago and has an almost cult following. I have divided the 12-week program in the book into 7 fortnightly sessions where we discuss the readings and talk about the creative journey that people are making. There are many tasks in the book but the two tools used throughout are the Morning Pages (three handwritten pages of stream of consciousness thoughts written each morning) and Artist Dates (a weekly activity to feed your creativity).

I hope this event / program will make participants feel …

Safe to share their creative journey! Participants so far have been inspired to work on poetry, music, screenplays, photography, journalistic documentaries, artwork, sewing, jelly art, food, collage, wax seals, the list goes on.

The top thing on my bucket list is …
To find someone to share this life with who is as creative, spiritual and crazy as me.

I’m most grateful for …

My Burmese cat Minnie was accidentally locked under a house in Summer Hill for 8.5 days. There were a lot of people in the community helping me look for her and I’m so grateful she was found alive. Minnie makes me laugh everyday.

The last Little BIG thing / action I did for someone else or received from someone was …

I recently received a beautiful birthday gift from one of the participants in The Artist’s Way creative circle. It was both generous and totally unexpected and I really appreciated it.