InnLyte’s primary focus is producing short documentary films that amplify diverse voices, share inspiring stories, and promote the mental health benefits of creativity.

Following the completion of our first major project, the InnLyte Studio Series (10 short documentary films), we are now open to collaborating with individual professionals (researchers, creatives, facilitators) and organisations in the Creative Wellbeing space to maximise social impact, inspire change, and achieve shared goals.

InnLyte is currently selecting subjects for the next cycle of directorial documentation. We prioritise process-led journeys that demonstrate creativity as a fundamental health practice. Moving forward, cinematic archives will be presented for broadcast procurement and international film festival circuits.

Alternatively, upcoming documentaries will premiere directly on InnLyte’s YouTube channel.

Commission Status: As part of InnLyte’s social mission, featured subjects are documented as a non-commercial contribution to the public archive.

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The main goal was to record an interview with Sharon for a short documentary we are currently producing. However, when I received the conference programme, one particular panel caught my eye: Wool4Health. Having read about it on the EWE website prior to arriving, I was excited to hear from representatives from Cyprus, Croatia, Italy, and Spain.

Dr. Alberto Costa, EWE’s President and a world-renowned neurologist and breast cancer surgeon, introduced each speaker with unexpected warmth and humour. I was able to record a snippet of his introduction to “Wool for Health” (video below).

I was overjoyed to hear about the research – published just last year in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports – which utilised advanced MEG (Magnetoencephalography) to map the brain during the act of making. The study revealed that knitting and crochet produce brain connectivity patterns nearly identical to those achieved through deep meditation and yoga.

According to the clinical findings championed by Dr. Costa and his team, engaging with wool offers three distinct neurological advantages:

1. Increased Global Connectivity: The brain becomes more “integrated,” allowing different regions to communicate more efficiently.

2. The Flow State: The rhythmic, repetitive motion of stitching triggers the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering cortisol levels and reducing the “fight or flight” response.

3. Enhanced Attention: Unlike passive relaxation, the “alertness” and “orienting” networks of the brain are sharpened, aiding in better decision-making and cognitive reserve.

Deep Dive Resources:

1. The Science: Read the full study: Crochet increases attention through a requiring motor skill learning (Rossi Sebastiano et al., 2025).

2. The Foundation: Explore the work of the European Wool Exchange (EWE).

3. The Charity: Learn about Gomitolorosa Onlus and the “Lanaterapia” movement in Italy.

Producer and director Dee Stoppa filmed ten unscripted, vulnerable conversations with working artists across Ireland, asking one fundamental question: how has art impacted your life, healing, or mental health journey?

Featured artists (in order of appearance)

Watch full episodes below:

1. Cáit Mackey Maher: Creativity & Identity

2. Barbara McAteer: Creativity & Herbalism

3. Janice Byrne: Creativity & Not Fitting in the Mould

4. Danielle Doody: Creativity & Navigating Grief

5. Adeline Gaudefroy: Creativity & Social Impact

6. Caroline Duffy: Creativity & Spreading Joy

7. Lisa McCabe: Creativity & Working with Fire

8. Laura Jane Phelan: Creativity & Motherhood

9. Jessica Rodrigues: Creativity & Autism

10. Eugene Conway: Creativity & the Passage of Time

Geraldine Walsh:

Sandra Blanchfield:

Marco di Sante:

Mary Doyle Burke:

In this episode of the InnLyte Studio Series, we step into the well-established studio of Eugene Conway, an oil painter based in the Castlecomer Craft Yard, Co. Kilkenny. Known for his realist and emotive approach to painting, Conway is renowned for his talent for capturing the essence and beauty of rural Ireland.

Eugene shares how the creative routine saved him from depression when he lost his wife, Valerie. He reflects on the importance of creative expression as an important part of growth and contribution. Eugene gives a word of encouragement, particularly for younger men who might doubt their creative abilities.

About Eugene (Represented by Gormleys): “Eugene Conway is one of Ireland’s leading realist landscape painters. Conway was born in 1965 in Dublin but moved to Co. Kilkenny as a child. Growing up in the countryside, he developed a great love and appreciation for the beauty of nature around him, which informs his work.

In Conway’s paintings, the landscape of County Kilkenny is brought to the centre stage. These are quiet scenes; he does not dwell on the bucolic or the picturesque. The way that he uses colour relates directly to the weather, the seasons, and the passage of time. His subjects – bridges, barns and byways – are the unsung heroes of the Irish countryside. “A lot of the time they go unnoticed: old sheds, old walls, a wet ditch after the summer rain, or maybe the way that the light is hitting something, bringing out a lovely pattern in it. But the light is at a certain point. If you come back an hour later, everything has changed.” he says. His paintings do not suggest great drama, merely the unfolding of ordinary rural life. His paintings reflect the layers of history left by habitation and farming.

Conway studied at the National College of Art & Design, NCAD, Dublin. Since 1998, he has exhibited regularly at the RHA and was awarded the Fergus O’Ryan Memorial Award in 2001; the ESB Keating Award, the Silver Medal for an outstanding art work in 2008; and the Abdul and Katharine Bulbulia Art in Health Award in 2010. His work is in the collections of the Haverty Trust; the OPW; the ESB; and the Four Seasons Hotel, Dublin.”

In this episode of the InnLyte Studio Series, we step into the studio of Lisa McCabe (Corranny Forest Pottery), a ceramic artist based in Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

Lisa McCabe shares how moving from New York to rural Ireland and an incident at work influenced her creative journey. She talks about gradually discovering Pre-Columbian art, Raku, and the magic of working with clay, smoke, and fire.

About Lisa: “I’m Lisa McCabe, the maker behind Corranny Forest Pottery. My studio sits just across the courtyard, nestled on the edge of a private forest and a quiet country lake, a place where fire, earth, and creativity come together. I’ve always been drawn to clay, and I consider myself lucky to work with it every day. Though mostly self-taught, I’ve had the privilege of intensive training with master potters in New York, Europe, the UK, and Ireland, an experience that has shaped both my craft and my perspective. Pottery is more than a skill to me—it’s a lifelong passion, a constant process of learning, experimenting, and embracing the unexpected. My greatest joy comes from the alchemy of ceramics, where chemistry, fire, and form meet. I specialise in alternative firing techniques like Raku, barrel, and pit firing, each one offering a unique and unpredictable beauty. Through my work— and the workshops I offer—I love sharing this process with others, inviting people to step into the rhythm of clay, connect with nature, and create something truly personal.”

In this episode of the InnLyte Studio Series, we step into the brand-new studio of Laura Jane Phelan, an artist & designer based in Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin.

Laura Jane shares how moving from Dublin City Centre to Skerries sparked her creativity and love for coastal landscapes. She talks about discovering her strength as a colourist while studying animation.

Laura Jane shows us her favourite spots in Skerries and reveals how attending an art therapy class gave her new insights.

We discuss making art with her twin daughters, noticing the inner critic, and reframing how she speaks about her creativity.

About Laura Jane: “I’m Laura Jane Phelan, an artist and designer based in Dublin. Over the years, I’ve been lucky to work with amazing brands like Disney, BBC, Doctor Who, and Warhammer. I’ve spent more than a decade in the creative industry, leading design teams, illustrating children’s books, and helping bring the OOKS brand to life as Art Director. I also worked as Graphic Design Manager at Cubicle 7 Games, designing for some epic tabletop RPGs. I run my own print shop — LJ Phelan Art — where I create bold, colourful prints inspired by Ireland’s most iconic landmarks.”Laura Jane shares how moving from Dublin City Centre to Skerries sparked her creativity and love for coastal landscapes. She talks about discovering her strength as a colourist while studying animation.

In this episode of the InnLyte Studio Series, we step into the brand-new studio of Caroline Duffy, a multi-award-winning floral artist & designer based in Dundalk.

Caroline shares how everything she does starts with painting flowers, and reveals what her creative outlet would be if she couldn’t paint anymore (a tricky question, the answer might surprise you!).

We explore the idea of following the “quiet nudge” within and stepping into the role of a creative facilitator. Caroline also opens up about her dreams for the new studio space and what her soul wants to bring to the world in this new chapter of her life.

About Caroline: “I’m Caroline Duffy and my passion is to surround everyday lives with colour and pattern, all inspired by nature. Nature is everywhere – it inspires us, it energises us, it keeps us grounded. Put simply, I want to create pieces which make people smile, feel good and make them think differently.

While studying at the prestigious National College of Art & Design in Dublin, I fell in love with textiles and pattern. Everything about it – the colour, the feel of the fabric, how pattern flowed, the handcrafting, the digital manipulation, it was mesmerising and I was hooked.

After graduating from NCAD, I spent 10 years creating surface and textile design for Textile Houses in New York, Sydney and London. Then I decided to start my own design and art business. I wanted to fuse my ability, passion and knowledge of art and pattern design.

Everything comes down to nature for me. My mission is to make and design colourful pieces that creates vitality, happiness and intrigue to those who see them. Whether it’s homeware or soft furnishing; a dress or swimwear, a painting on your office wall or home hallway, my designs and artwork will always delight and energise your day. I really enjoy working with people like you because you have an idea of what you want and I make it possible.”

In this episode of the InnLyte Studio Series, we step into the studio of Adeline Gaudefroy, a professional visual artist based in Dublin. Adeline shares how common preconceptions about artists influenced her path, opening up about overcoming a sense of shame and the surprising social impact of exhibiting her work. We discuss her conscious decision to embrace both sides of her career—balancing a fast-paced role as a Customer Success Manager in the tech industry alongside her status as a professional artist (VAI).

About Adeline: “I am a French-Irish visual artist based in Dublin, Ireland, exploring themes of grief, loss, and survivor’s guilt to encourage personal reflection. Working primarily in oil painting and drawing, my pieces prioritise emotional engagement and visual impact over complex interpretation. In 2023, I participated in a transformative workshop at the Marina Abramović Institute in Greece, deepening my understanding of the mind-body connection and its influence on my practice. Since then, I’ve been a professional member of Visual Artists Ireland, exhibiting in venues such as Mount Congreve Gardens, the MART Gallery, and the Indian Embassy in Dublin. My latest series, See You Later (2024), explores absence and grieving through paintings of empty spaces, characters moving away, and neuroscientific writings to examine the emotional process of loss. Inspired by The Grieving Brain by Mary-Frances O’Connor, PhD, my art invites viewers to reflect on the voids left by loss and empathise with others’ grief. Currently 2025 , I am pursuing my research on absence and going to the pre-famine village at the Cill Rialaig Artist Residency in County Kerry.”

In this episode of the InnLyte Studio Series, we step into the studio of Danielle Doody, the founder of Naturally at the Wren’s Nest, soap maker, and foraging educator. Danielle shares her powerful journey of starting her business as a single parent, finding healing and joy in her studio, navigating grief, and embracing her special connection with nature. She invited us for a walk in the nearby Heywood Gardens in Ballinakill, Co. Laois.

About Danielle: “Imagine stepping out into a calming haven filled with the sweet scent of lavender and chamomile. That’s where the magic happens – in my garden at The Wrens Nest, where I handcraft natural soaps infused with love and the essence of nature. My passion for nature began in childhood, exploring the fields near my home. Now, I share that love with my daughter, Ella, teaching her about the calming power of scent and the magic of homegrown ingredients. Every time I tend to my garden, free from harmful chemicals, I’m reminded of the importance of a healthy world. It’s a philosophy I carry into my soap making, using only natural butters, like cocoa and shea, and pure essential oils. I believe in the power of aromatherapy to uplift your day. Each inhale of my soaps and potions is a breath of fresh air, a reminder to slow down and appreciate the simple things.”

In this episode of the InnLyte Studio Series, we step into the Dublin studio of Janice Byrne, the award-winning designer and goldsmith. Janice shares her powerful journey of “not fitting in the mould” and building a simple but comfortable life. We talked about her creative and private path through motherhood, ADHD and perimenopause. She beautifully described her passion for creating bespoke heirloom pieces from scratch, remodelling old jewellery, and deeply connecting with her clients’ stories through her craft.

About Janice: “Creating exquisite pieces of jewellery is more than a profession for me – it’s a passion that has defined my adult life. Born and reared in the Liberties in the heart of Dublin, I’ve spent more than 27 years refining my skills, honing my craft, and pouring my heart and soul into each piece I create. Having work in the jewellery trade since 1998, I’ve been running my own business for over a decade now, It’s a testament to my love for this craft. Everything is made with passion, using a variety of precious metals and gemstones, inspired by the beauty of the natural world that surrounds us. For me, the magic lies in the intricacies of the piece rather than an elaborate backstory. Each design stands alone, a silent poem crafted in metal and gemstones, allowing the jewellery to resonate with its own unique voice. I’m committed to providing an exclusive experience, steering clear of the impersonality of mass production. Each item on my website is made to order, guaranteeing that the piece you receive has been crafted with utmost attention and care. Having collaborated with numerous brands and manufacturing giants, I’ve witnessed the environmental impact of mass production. Because of this, I choose to create my pieces in small, ethically-produced batches, reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Over the years, my unique style and technique have found a special place in the hearts of my clients. This is especially true for my one-of-a-kind alternative engagement and wedding rings, crafted with rare and unique precious and semi-precious gemstones, each a testament to my skill and craftsmanship. For me, jewellery is more than an occupation – it’s my passion, my life’s work, and my source of livelihood. If you seek jewellery that’s crafted with passion, dedication, and respect for our planet, you’ve come to the right place.”

In this insightful episode of the InnLyte Studio Series, we step into the tranquil world of Barbara McAteer, the inspirational founder of Josie’s Botanicals, a 100% pure and natural skincare brand. Barbara shares her lifelong journey with natural health and creativity, rooted in her large family heritage: “Growing up in a family of 11 children, my mother Josie had a cure for whatever ailed you; she soothed allergies, breakouts, scars and burns with natural remedies passed down through generations of wise and knowledgeable women.” This passion grew through her formative years in San Francisco, through her teaching of holistic therapies, and ultimately inspired her return to Ireland to launch her brand. Barbara reveals how blending her products is her mindful practice and happy place, proving that creation is a vital tool for finding balance and staying present.

In this episode, we explore:

• Heritage as Inspiration: How family wisdom and the healing power of plants became the foundation for a successful business, a “dream realised.”

• The Mindful Act of Creation: Why formulating natural skincare products serves as Barbara’s core creative and stress-reducing practice.

• A Holistic Life: The balance between being a founder, a holistic therapist for private clients, and a teacher in the community.

• Sharing the Magic: Facilitating workshops for young people with special needs, blending essential oils, and connecting them to nature.

About the Founder: Barbara McAteer is a highly accomplished holistic therapist, herbalist, and the visionary behind Josie’s Botanicals. Drawing on her extensive experience as a specialist in natural facials, aromatherapy, and nutritional therapy, she was driven by the realisation that it was “impossible to source products that used 100% pure and natural ingredients to use on sensitive or compromised skin.” Barbara’s work is deeply rooted in the belief that nature can heal. Josie’s Botanicals is born out of this passion, focusing on integrity; their products are tested on humans, not animals, and designed for maximum results using 100% plant-based ingredients. Beyond her brand, Barbara shares her expertise through teaching and facilitating powerful, hands-on workshops that help children and young people connect with the calming, creative power of essential oils and natural scents.

Creative Wellbeing involves a conscious focus on using arts, creative expression and cultural experiences to reduce stress, improve mental resilience, and find clarity.

It is an ongoing practice that prioritises the act of making over the perfection of the result, allowing us to explore our inner landscape without judgement.

Dee Stoppa, InnLyte's Founder

In this heartfelt episode of the InnLyte Studio Series, we step inside the beautiful home studio of visual and tattoo artist Jessica Rodrigues. In a deeply honest conversation, Jessica shares her unique journey: from studying psychology to receiving her autism (Level 1) diagnosis later in life, and ultimately becoming a full-time creative. This is a story about finding purpose through structure, embracing a neurodiverse approach to work, and building a life you truly love. Jessica reveals how art became her most powerful tool for self-understanding and self-exploration, proving that structured creativity is a superpower.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Power of Diagnosis: Embracing structured creativity after an autism diagnosis.

• Neurodiversity & Support: The vital importance of support systems for neurodiverse minds.

• Process Over Perfection: How approaching creativity by focusing on the process rather than the outcome fosters mental wellbeing.

• Art as Healing: How visual art and tattooing function as tools for self-exploration and healing.

About the Artist: Jessica Rodrigues is a Brazilian multimedia artist whose work explores the spaces between memory, myth, and cultural reclamation. Drawing from her heritage, she constructs surreal narratives that interrogate historical legacies of power. Through painting, muralism, and tattoo art, Rodrigues employs a language of magical realism to subvert inherited iconographies, transforming symbols of domination into emblems of sovereignty and resilience. Her decade of experience as a tattoo artist deeply informs this practice, grounding it in collaboration and the intimate exchange of personal and ancestral stories. This process emphasizes the body as a site of both historical inscription and liberated self-definition. Rodrigues’s work invites viewers into layered visual fields where detail and symbolism operate as quiet acts of resistance. Figures are often centered as arbiters of their own narratives, actively reclaiming identity from fragmented histories of displacement and subjugation. Whether in the gallery or on the skin, her art creates thresholds where the past is not silenced, but reimagined, where grief and glory converge toward futures built on repair. Her work has been featured in Tintreach: The Smashing Times Arts and Literary Journal It was also exhibited in the ‘Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival’ at Smashing Times International Centre, Dublin, and selected for donation in the Arthouse charity auction in support of Outhouse (2025).

In this heartfelt episode of the InnLyte Studio Series, we step inside the beautiful home studio of illustrator Cáit Mackey Maher, the creative director behind Yellow Deer Designs. In a deeply honest and unscripted conversation, Cáit shares her journey of reconnecting with her creativity, from feeling like “not the creative one” in her family to building an award-winning illustration business. She reveals how her art became a powerful tool for self-discovery and a mirror for her own healing journey. This is a story of finding your purpose, embracing self-talk, and building a life you love.

In this episode, we explore:

• The search for identity while raising a family.

• How art can be a powerful tool for healing and self-talk.

• The importance of community and finding your home within yourself.

• Building an award-winning creative business while staying true to your authentic voice.

About Yellow Deer Designs: Yellow Deer Designs is an award-winning illustration company dedicated to building connections and empowering relationships. Through hand-drawn greeting cards and engaging illustrations, their mission is to pass paper joy and create feelings of connection and love. The company is committed to a sustainable, green approach, using high-quality, long-lasting ink and a strictly print-on-demand ethos.