Making Space for Creativity with Bella McGoldrick

Bella McGoldrick x Philé

Making Space For Creativity With Bella McGoldrick

Artist, mother and creative force Bella McGoldrick has built a world that feels distinctly her own - expressive, instinctive and never too serious.

Now based in Byron Bay, Bella’s creative life has taken on a new rhythm as she navigates motherhood, a growing family and a career that has evolved from passion into something that sustains them all.

We spoke with Bella about creativity after children, finding inspiration when travel isn’t quite so simple, her ever-evolving personal style, and the kind of creative world she hopes to open up for her children.

Before becoming a mother, what was one thing you were convinced you'd never do as a parent that you now do regularly?

I don't know if I was convinced I wouldn't do anything. It's a hilarious position to be in, though, looking at parents before you are one. The way that you judge is hilarious because you don't know. But I feel like every day is something. I still feed my two-year-old twins from my hand into their mouths — like, they don't feed themselves, which is crazy, and they should, but here I am every day going, "let's just get this nutrition into them."

What has motherhood taught you about creativity that art never could?

More than creativity, it's taught me flexibility and patience. I have quite a lot of patience in my art. But this provides more flexibility in how to be more chill and go with the flow.

How has becoming a mother changed the way you create?

Becoming a mother has changed the way I create in the way that what I create now sustains our family. Therefore, it's so much more important. It's less of a whim and a passion and a pastime and more of a lifestyle that hopefully will carry us through the rest of our lives.

Have you got places you visit, either online or in person for a creativity reset?

The creativity reset is always travel, and that is just getting harder and harder with the more children I have. That's why we're pumping these babies out so quickly so we can get them to an age where we can then travel again. Travel is really the hard-hitting, quick dose of inspiration and creativity from somewhere new. Otherwise, you have to go within yourself, which is something that I have been doing as well, but it is less fun and less easy.

How do you share creativity with your toddlers? Are there places you take them, or things you do together?

We share everything with our toddlers, and I'm so excited to do more so as they grow up to have them in the studio with us, to have them read the books that we've collected, take them to interesting places, look at art and architecture, and expose them to interesting music and films. That's the most exciting part about having children: being able to really force yourself onto them (slightly joking!) My main goal is to show them what is possible and introduce them to the people in the world who have done amazing things, and hopefully instil in them that they can become people like that.

What are your current creative obsessions?

Current creative obsessions include painting, which is something I always do when I'm, in between. Right now, I'minbetween finishing work and having a baby, and so I'm painting. And that's super fun andfreeing anda totally different experience from my drawing.

Your personal style is so distinct. Where are your favourite places/brands to shop?

I feel like my personal style changes so much at the moment from pre-babies, pregnancy, new mother, then pregnancy again. I don't even know what my size or style is anymore. Every time I feel like I'm having an identity crisis, I wanna become like the sophisticated woman who wears The Row (which I don't, I'm a maximalist in every part of my life). But in reality, I currently wear a lot of my husband's clothes. I love Pally Hollywood, with which I've just done a collaboration with. I love Orseund Iris, and I love vintage, which I shop when I'm in a city. So when we go travelling, I want go to a city and I want to shop. That is the biggest thing I miss about living in the beautiful small town of Byron Bay.

What are your 5 must-visit destinations in and around Byron you'd recommend to visitors?

Otherside Cafe (run by my boy Manu, across from my studio), Tones Cafe, Wategos Beach, Saint Maries in Bruns, Deiji and Nagnata stores, which are right next to each other; whilst you're there, get the pork bao buns at Lightyears.