In Her Shoes: Artzone Founder and Art Director Gillian Blaney Shorte

My name is Gillian Blaney Shorte, and creativity has always been at the heart of what I do, and that passion led me to found Artzone, a creative organisation focused on nurturing creativity, confidence, imagination and fun through art. Artzone began as a small, local Rathfarnham initiative, rooted in a belief that art should be accessible, enjoyable and pressure-free, particularly for children and young people. Today, we cater for over 1,000 students (all ages) each week.

Artzone is Ireland’s largest private art school, focused entirely on visual arts, researching and developing new and exciting portfolios every term for 23 years. We are a long established and successful business, operating since 2003. We deliver high quality teaching programmes (classes, camps and workshops) in Artzone Studios, Rathfarnham, a wide range of primary schools around the city and also some community and parish centres. We also provide teenage and adult art classes, and portfolio preparation courses for students applying to study art at third level.

As founder and art director, I remain closely involved in the day-to-day direction of Artzone, ensuring that each class hits the core objectives of inclusivity, creativity, confidence-building and fun! Watching students develop their artistic skills and their belief in themselves has been the most rewarding part of the journey so far. We love the feedback, and sense of achievement.

Daily routines

Good sleep is the most important determinant of my day. I try to get around seven or eight hours a night, though it doesn’t always go exactly to plan. I’m usually up around 8am on weekdays, which gives me a bit of breathing space as classes don’t generally kick off until 10am.

I start slowly, rising, stretching, opening the blinds, letting the day in. As a visual person this is so enjoyable for me. The first thing I do is make a cup of tea, two eggs any which way and a slice of sourdough. I take a few quiet minutes to plan my day on paper, before checking WhatsApp and emails. I love that period of calm at the start of the day; it helps me feel grounded and sets the tone for everything that comes after.

Mornings are a mix of practical and personal. Once everyone is up and moving (my three children, all creatives in their own way are young adults), there’s the usual weekday rhythm of getting organised. I do some house chores and generally get Luna (our fourth child) ready for a walk to work through Bushy Park. That 30-minute walk makes a difference to my headspace and is often full of inspiration for my art portfolios.

For me, a good morning isn’t about getting everything done, it’s about approaching the day feeling calm, prepared and positive. This makes all the difference once I step into the creative energy of Artzone Studios.

The steady morning rhythm gets me ready for what’s usually a very dynamic day. When I arrive at the studio, it’s already buzzing with energy, which is exactly how I like it. I spend time checking in on the early classes, seeing what’s happening creatively and connecting with students and teachers. It’s a lovely way to step straight into the heart of what Artzone is all about.

Journaling is my ongoing challenge. I love the idea of it — taking time to reflect, clear my head and set intentions for the day. In practice, it’s something I’m still trying to make stick. My instinct in the morning is to move straight into solving problems, big and small, and I tend to want to fix everything now.

Running a busy creative business means there’s always something that needs attention and learning that not every issue needs to be solved right now is a work in progress. I know that journaling would probably help me slow that instinct down, create a bit of space, and approach things more thoughtfully. So, I’m still working on it.

A day in the life

I usually arrive to work with the dog after the first classes of the day have started, around 10.30. My husband, who works from home, arrives soon after to collect the dog. Once I check in with the early class teachers and (adult) students, my first port of call is usually Karen, our Office Manager. Karen has her plans and lists. It feels like we sit down to divide and conquer. We muse about being each other’s work therapist. We try to keep her “Paul List” to a minimum!

I spend three full days in the Studios. I find it better to be present and available to the team. I keep my hand in with the teaching, running an online art class every Wednesday.
Thursday was always my day off, because Saturdays are our busiest day of the week with classes running in each of the studios, back-to-back, all day long. We could fill Saturday classes many times over. I used to teach all day Saturday, giving me Thursdays for cardio tennis with friends, going for Pickles (Sundrive Road, best sandwiches and salads anywhere) for lunch with family, pop into Grafton Street ….

On Fridays, I try to work from home, giving me quiet time for research, design and producing teaching aids for our upcoming portfolios. Research is often online but I try whenever possible to visit an art exhibition, fashion show or cultural event. It doesn’t always work out this way when things are hectic in the studio, but we try!

After checking in with the Teachers and Students, my focus tends to shift between creative and operational. I’ll go through administration and planning with our office manager – I don’t know how she does it, my husband Paul has always been there to support us with the commercial, financial and systems support.

With fifteen to twenty classes per day across the city, it feels like there are always scheduling challenges. But, I am really lucky with the team I have. I always touch base with teachers about student portfolios, research and ideas – this is our sauce.

Most days I will meet with the media team, especially our Graphic Designer, to discuss messaging, marketing and upcoming projects. As a visual, educational business sharp, fresh graphics are essential. It’s a balance of managing the details now and planning ahead. I often think “here I am planning Halloween camps while the students are still on summer beaches” or “The kids are still enjoying Christmas and I am planning their Midterm Camps”.

Without doubt, portfolio research, design and planning energise me most. It is what I am happiest at, and it is what makes Artzone special. There are so many things to take in to account in designing good portfolios. We have to keep it fresh for students, where they are continuously learning and improving, but having fun. My family and friends will tell you I find inspiration everywhere. I am always taking pictures and making notes.

Schedule balancing is a more draining task for me. It’s not just about making sure we have the right teachers and assistants to lead every class. There are different age groups, equipment, handbooks, location, timing, travel, child safety, class lists, roll calls ….
We plan as a team, share experiences and learn from each other. We try to systemise as many aspects of the preparation, arrival, set-up, creativity and wrap-up as we can. The office is always available on the phone to support, with action plans and scripts for every event. We use an online class management system ClassForKids, which gives us all access to key information and tools – it keeps us all on the one page.

Did I mention sleep? It really is the foundation of everything for me. When I’m well?rested, I’m more focused, patient and creative, so I protect it as much as possible during a busy week.

I’m also lucky to have constant inspiration at home. My son Oisin is a powerlifter and competes internationally, so he’s incredibly focused on nutrition, training and balance. He’s a real font of advice when it comes to building energy properly — not pushing through exhaustion, but supporting your body with the right food, movement and recovery.
That perspective has really stayed with me. I try to eat well, move regularly and stay mindful of my energy rather than running on empty. It’s not about perfection, but about balance — making choices that support stamina and clarity so I can show up fully, both at work and at home.

Finally, I use a variety of online yoga practices for different parts of the day, and to help manage pressures – energy, downtime, stress, sleep aid etc.

There is no one highlight of our working week. We go out of our way to celebrate birthdays, arrivals, successes, end of term, end of camp, good feedback, good news. We have a teachers’ WhatsApp group where we share pictures and videos of class work. That is how we amaze, amuse and delight each other.

Staying fueled

My eating habits during the working week have evolved over time. I used to comfort-eat chocolate, and quite a lot of it, especially during stressful or busy periods. That was very much a coping mechanism, and while I still enjoy a treat, I’m much more conscious now about how food affects my energy and focus.

I’m lucky that we’re a household of great cooks, and we genuinely love cooking meals from scratch. My husband Paul, and daughter, work from home and genuinely love cooking, so dinner time is always a treat. There’s something grounding about preparing food properly, and it makes a huge difference to how I feel during the week. We focus on balanced, home-cooked meals, which means I’m usually well fuelled rather than reaching for snacks out of habit.

That said, snacks still matter — just better ones. I keep healthy snacks close by and eat lots of seasonal fruit, which helps avoid the afternoon slump. Leftovers are also a big part of my work routine; having a proper home-cooked lunch to bring with me keeps things simple and satisfying.
Like everything, it’s about balance. There are highs and lows, but overall I try to eat in a way that supports my energy, my mood and the pace of a busy working week — without being too hard on myself along the way.

Post-work routines

It is important to try to separate work and home time. We always have a family dinner – I usually take my turn cooking on days I work from home. My husband knows the business so well it is tempting to discuss and solve problems over dinner, and family time. We try to minimise this. We make it ok for anyone to call stop!

We build exercise and fun with family and friends into every day – tennis, yoga, meditation, padel for fun, cinema, meals out, all kinds of walks – park, hills, beach, cliffs …. and shopping, any chance I get with my girls. I also value quality down time – a bit of TV or Netflix, together or alone.

Activity time is early evening, so I am ready for a cup of tea around 8pm. The dog knows 8pm is treat time – she is confused if the kettle goes on earlier or later than 8pm! Followed by a movie, my favourite series or an audio book. Nothing taxing. I find meditation, yoga ninja or gentle stretching good to help me get to sleep.

Beauty essentials and self-care non-negotiables

My beauty routine is very much about looking after my skin rather than covering it up. I have quite sensitive skin, so consistency and good formulas matter more to me than trying lots of new products. A good moisturiser is my non-negotiable — I’ve used Clarins Body Lotion for as long as I can remember, and more recently I’ve added Myrad Cellular Regenerative Cream, which my skin has really responded to.

I don’t wear a huge amount of make-up day to day. I have sallow skin, so keeping it hydrated and protected makes the biggest difference. I’m diligent about SPF and wear SBR Factor 30 every day, year-round, along with a Vitamin C cream, also from SBR, to keep my skin looking bright and healthy.

When I’m heading out or want something a little more polished, I keep things natural. I love Sculpted by Aimee powder, paired with a neutral tone MAC or Chanel lipstick. I usually add Chanel Les Beiges foundation and Bronzer for warmth and Charlotte Tilbury’s The Golden Goddess eye shadow for a bit of glow. It’s all about enhancing rather than masking. I like keeping it simple, comfortable and easy to wear.

Self?care in our house is very much a shared experience. With two young adult daughters, Emily and Caoimhe, there’s no shortage of great ideas or inspiration — and lots of gentle encouragement to actually make time for it. We love turning self?care into something social and fun rather than another thing on the to?do list.

A good pedicure before an occasion is one of our favourite rituals, and we’ll book a facial every couple of months as a way to properly switch off. Massages are also a universally accepted form of self?care in our family — they’re the perfect gift and always very gratefully received! We also really enjoy group trips to get our nails done, which feel as much about connection as they are about relaxation.

Those moments together are incredibly grounding. They’re a reminder that self?care doesn’t have to be complicated — sometimes it’s simply about slowing down, looking after yourself, and enjoying time with the people who matter most.

Work-life balance

I feel a deep sense of responsibility. One of my biggest ongoing challenges is finding a real sense of work–life balance. When you care deeply about your business and people, it’s very easy to stay mentally switched on all the time, even when you’re technically “off duty”.

Learning how — and when — to properly switch off is something I’m constantly working on.
I also have a tendency to want to solve everything immediately. There’s a strong pull to deal with issues as soon as they arise, which can make prioritising difficult, especially on busy days when everything feels important. Over time, I’m learning that not every problem needs an urgent response, and that space and perspective often lead to better decisions.

I’m very lucky in that my husband knows the business well and understands its rhythms, so he often acts as a calming voice of reason. He’s great at reminding me that very few challenges are truly critical, and that many things will resolve themselves with a gentle nudge in the right direction. That perspective has been invaluable — both for running the business, and managing my own wellbeing.

For me, replenishing my energy and creativity is all about breaking the cycle of being constantly busy. Stepping away, even briefly,— creates space to breathe, think and reset. That pause is essential; it grounds me and brings me back to a calmer, more centred place.
Those moments help me keep perspective. When I slow down, I’m able to appreciate both my work and my life much more clearly, rather than just moving from one task to the next. It reminds me why I do what I do and helps me stay connected to the bigger picture, not just the immediate demands of the day.

Plan to spend time with family and friends. My close friends are very active, always arranging things to do, and easy to convince to join me on any outing. A chat, a walk or event shared gives you new energy.

Ultimately, anything that allows me to feel present — whether it’s walking, movement, time with family or simply being still — replenishes my energy and creativity. It keeps me calm, focused and grateful, which makes everything else flow more easily.

The ideal weekend

An ideal weekend starts slowly — waking up naturally with no alarm is always the first luxury. If we can manage a shared breakfast, even better. I love unhurried mornings, especially when there’s time to chat, make coffee and ease into the day.

Getting the dog out for a long, slow walk is a must. It’s one of those simple pleasures that immediately clears my head. Luna loves the beach so on a quite weekend we will go to Sandymount, Dun Laoghaire, Bray or Greystones for the walk (and coffee). I also love fitting in some movement — a game of tennis or padel, and on Sunday mornings I usually meet good friends for yoga or meditation, which feels like the perfect reset before the week ahead.

Food and family are at the heart of our weekends. Saturdays often mean a family takeaway or a meal out, while Sundays are reserved for dinner with my mother — and whoever happens to be in the country at the time. Those gatherings are grounding and something I really cherish.

If there’s time, I love a trip to the cinema or a comedy gig, and occasionally I’ll sneak in a hair appointment or a family trip to Kildare Village. Nothing overly structured — just a mix of movement, connection and a bit of fun. For me, the perfect weekend is about balance: slowing down while still doing things that genuinely energise me.

Love what you do

The biggest thing I would say is to try appreciate and genuinely love what you do. That doesn’t mean every day is easy. Far from it, but when you choose something you love, it gives you resilience when things get challenging.

I also really believe in taking time out to clear your head, particularly in small ways. Pausing helps you regulate your energy and your emotions, which is essential when you’re juggling multiple responsibilities. It’s often in those quiet moments that clarity comes.
Another important habit is to notice and celebrate successes, both big and small. We’re often so focused on what still needs to be done that we forget to acknowledge how far we’ve come. Taking time to recognise achievements builds confidence and momentum.

And finally, I try to always look for the positives, especially during periods of real pressure. That doesn’t mean ignoring difficulties, but choosing to focus on solutions, learning and progress. Perspective is incredibly powerful, and it can make even the busiest seasons feel more manageable and meaningful.

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