Our Putting Pen To Paper series, features different individuals & showcases what they use their favourite notebook for. It could be for to-do lists, sketching, design, song writing, illustrations, notes, daily gratitudes & everything in between. This week we went inside the notebooks of Liam Bowden, the Founder & Creative Director of New Zealand leather accessories brand, Deadly Ponies. 

First things first, plain or lined paper?

Lined paper. I have a tendency to draw all over the lines anyway, so it is good to have them when I need to create guidelines for myself. It helps to give my thoughts order.

What inspired you to start Deadly Ponies?

I have always had a love for making things and using my hands. I started crafting with leather offcuts at university in the very early stages of Deadly Ponies - learning the art of leatherwork as I went. Interest began to pick up in my pieces and it grew from there.  

What is your first memory of putting pen to paper?

My first memory was as a teenager. I felt very different and I didn’t belong anywhere, I started writing down my feelings and thoughts at the time and that's something I continue to incorporate into my creative outlets today.

Take us inside your current notebook - what are you currently putting pen to paper for?

I’m constantly writing lists of things to keep track of, and jotting down thoughts that the team need from me as reminders. My notebook is stacked with ideas, documenting where I’ve been over the last month to inspire me - somewhat of a diary. I include snippets of things I’ve experienced, postcards or stickers, sketches for new projects or thoughts I’ve had along the way. 

Talk us through your creative process - what inspires you & your designs?

It's pretty exploratory - I’m always thinking of new ideas, jotting down thoughts, taking photos of things that inspire me. Then when I need to be creative, I go back to the libraries I’ve created through imagery or book references to re-spark my inspiration for a new collection, shoot or campaign - whatever we might need. I can often find myself going down a rabbit hole when it comes to things that inspire me, one image of a bookshelf can lead to a new discovery of a book cover amongst the image that I like, and then I discover the writer’s wife is a jeweller and I love her creations... and so on. It never ends! 
 

Top tip for staying organised

Having a schedule and sticking to it as best as possible creates some order for me. I love the process of list writing. I really enjoy the satisfaction of ticking something off, so that at the end of the day I feel a sense of accomplishment

Feeling creative & want to put pen to paper yourself? Start here with Liam's favourite Notebook.

Follow Deadly Ponies on Instagram HERE & visit their website HERE

Imagery by Holly Burgees