Debbie Millman has an ongoing project at PRINT titled “What Matters.” This is an effort to understand the interior life of artists, designers and creative thinkers. This facet of the project asks each invited respondent to answer ten identical questions and submit a nonprofessional photograph.
Loo McNulty is an illustrator, mom, dog lover and vintage picture book collector. She is also the founder of Happy Just Happy, a design studio and greeting card company based in Collingwood, Canada. You can see more of her work here.
What is the thing you like doing most in the world?
Expanding my understanding of pretty much anything: learning a new creative technique, figuring out how to design my website (ouch), seeing the world through my kids’ eyes, seeing new landscapes, breaking old habits and learning new ones, hearing new music, reading new stories, meeting new people … I’m curious and I really love when something new presents itself.
What is the first memory you have of being creative?
Growing up, my room was really small with green shag carpeting that looked like grass (I am the youngest of six, so the fact that I had my own room was really amazing). There weren’t many options for moving my bed and desk around but at least once every few months I would drag my things from corner to corner and create a new setup. My room overflowed with stuffed animals that I created names and personalities for. My walls were covered with posters from my National Geographic Kids magazine subscription (mostly animals and maps) and old Muppet calendars from years past. I had kites hanging from my ceiling and glow-in-the-dark stars I stared at from my bed (I have no idea how I managed to ever fall asleep in there). I spent hours and hours in that room completely lost in my own make-believe world. Today, my studio is filled with things that remind me of my childhood: old toys, picture books and pieces of art. If I can pinpoint a time or place where my imagination developed, I would say it was my childhood bedroom.
What is your biggest regret?
Not showing up at university in a way I would today. Don’t get me wrong, I had a great time at post-secondary school, but I didn’t take advantage of the academic opportunities, and that bugs me.
How have you gotten over heartbreak?
Time. Patience. Trust. Lots of reminding myself that sad feelings are temporary—that there’s a big magical world beyond a broken heart just waiting for me to catch up and notice it. Listening to sad songs (why do we do this?). Eating ice cream (so predictable).
What makes you cry?
Anything to do with my kids, videos of animals, memories of my dad, when people express their love, when the underdog wins. I’m pretty sensitive and I don’t mind crying—happy or sad.
How long does the pride and joy of accomplishing something last for you?
For myself, not long enough, but I’m learning to rest in the feeling of pride and joy. I have no problem feeling it on behalf of others—I love cheering people on from the sidelines.
Do you believe in an afterlife, and if so, what does that look like to you?
I do, very much. I imagine being reunited with all my loved ones who have gone ahead, and we spend eternity in this permanent state of happiness doing all the things we loved to do when we were together. It sounds really childlike, but I truly believe that’s what’s next.
What do you hate most about yourself?
I don’t hate anything about myself because I’ve worked really hard to treat myself with the same love and kindness I show others. Hate is a strong word—I’d say I struggle some days to trust myself when doubt comes knocking, which messes with my confidence.
What do you love most about yourself?
I have a really big heart and I show my love to others without hesitation.
What is your absolute favorite meal?
My favorite meal is any meal that someone has prepared for me. I think cooking for others is a sign of love (even making a sandwich or scrambling an egg). Oh, and chocolate. I LOVE chocolate anything and, yes, I consider it a meal (chocolate cake for breakfast is highly recommended).