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Lily Seika Jones: To Begin, Once More
2024.01.24

Lily Seika Jones: To Begin, Once More

What practices anchor you when creative inspiration fades? Lily Seika Jones is an artist whose thoughtful rituals remind us that creativity doesn’t bloom from pressure, but from presence.

During our first co-working session of the year, Lily and I found ourselves talking about our goals and aspirations for 2024. Excitement quickly sprouted as we imagined new paths and possibilities, but soon we paused to ground ourselves in something more essential—self-care.

Both of us have been on our creative journeys, on and off, for nearly eight years now. Over time, we’ve come to understand that sustaining creativity requires more than inspiration alone. It takes self-motivation, rest, and gentle discipline. So we set aside our pens and brushes for a moment to reflect on the wellness practices that keep us going.

Below is a conversation with Lily, a reminder that creativity is an act of being, not doing.

[VESTIGE] What time of day do you find yourself most productive?[VESTIGE] What time of day do you find yourself most productive?
[LILY] Definitely after the sun has set. Although I have to be careful not to overdo it otherwise I spend the next day in recovery.[LILY] Definitely after the sun has set. Although I have to be careful not to overdo it otherwise I spend the next day in recovery.
[VESTIGE] Do you have any special tools, trinkets, or fixtures in your workspace that enhance your workflow?[VESTIGE] Do you have any special tools, trinkets, or fixtures in your workspace that enhance your workflow?
[LILY] So every month or so I will tea-stain a bunch of heavy sketch paper for my colour studies and notes.[LILY] So every month or so I will tea-stain a bunch of heavy sketch paper for my colour studies and notes.
[LILY] I really struggle with doing studies on white paper, but the slightly wrinkled and aged-looking tea-stained paper is just so much more satisfying to work on. It keeps me motivated and helps me enjoy the process.[LILY] I really struggle with doing studies on white paper, but the slightly wrinkled and aged-looking tea-stained paper is just so much more satisfying to work on. It keeps me motivated and helps me enjoy the process.
[VESTIGE] What are some helpful daily rituals that keeps you motivated?[VESTIGE] What are some helpful daily rituals that keeps you motivated?
[LILY] Reading first thing every morning has been really helpful, and also keeps me off my phone. [LILY] Reading first thing every morning has been really helpful, and also keeps me off my phone.
[LILY] Before I jump into work I also get dressed and go for a quick walk around the neighbourhood, just as a way to tell my brain we're "going to work".[LILY] Before I jump into work I also get dressed and go for a quick walk around the neighbourhood, just as a way to tell my brain we're "going to work".
[LILY] I like picking up cool twigs or acorns on my walks, anything small that catches my eye. Sometimes that's all it takes to get an idea going, like I'll see a cool stick that looks like a staff. It definitely helps me from overthinking things.[LILY] I like picking up cool twigs or acorns on my walks, anything small that catches my eye. Sometimes that's all it takes to get an idea going, like I'll see a cool stick that looks like a staff. It definitely helps me from overthinking things.
[LILY] Also watching Lord of the Rings. 100%. Or playing movie/tv soundtracks—actually The Adventure Time songs also do a great job of that.[LILY] Also watching Lord of the Rings. 100%. Or playing movie/tv soundtracks—actually The Adventure Time songs also do a great job of that.
[VESTIGE] What are some new habits you developed last year that worked for you?[VESTIGE] What are some new habits you developed last year that worked for you?
[LILY] Learning how to let go of a piece that isn't working and just moving on. And not getting totally depressed when I have to start something over.[LILY] Learning how to let go of a piece that isn't working and just moving on. And not getting totally depressed when I have to start something over.
[LILY] In the not-too-distant past, I would wrestle with a piece sometimes for weeks because I felt like a failure if I worked on something for weeks and had no finished, sellable product to show for it. [LILY] In the not-too-distant past, I would wrestle with a piece sometimes for weeks because I felt like a failure if I worked on something for weeks and had no finished, sellable product to show for it.
[LILY] Now I just remind myself it's all a process, and working on my craft is never wasted time.[LILY] Now I just remind myself it's all a process, and working on my craft is never wasted time.