The Journey Is the Best Bit

Through the Creative Door with Mark Turner

Some people define themselves by one creative pursuit.

Mark Turner isn't one of them.

Musician, producer, videographer, recording engineer, multi-instrumentalist... his creativity spills across countless disciplines. But as I sat down with my dear friend in front of the piano, one thing became abundantly clear.

None of those titles are what drive him.

Curiosity does.

Our conversation wasn't really about mastering instruments or building a career in music.

It was about learning to embrace the adventure of creating, trusting that creativity evolves, and remembering that the journey itself is often the greatest reward.

A creative space is somewhere you feel safe enough to fail

When I asked Mark what a creative space means to him, his answer immediately challenged the idea that creativity needs a dedicated studio.

For him, it could be a hotel room.

A car.

A tour van.

Even somewhere completely unexpected.

What matters isn't the location.

It's whether the space allows him to be vulnerable.

To experiment.

To try ideas without worrying whether they'll work.

He reflected on finally finding what felt like the perfect studio. a space that became his creative sanctuary…only for circumstances outside his control to change how it felt.

At first, that was difficult.

Then something unexpected happened.

Another musician used the space, handed back the key, and simply said,

"Mate... that place is magic."

Hearing someone else experience what he had once felt reminded him that creativity isn't fixed.

Neither are we.

Sometimes we simply need fresh eyes to help us rediscover the magic we already have.

Be proud of the life you've created

One of my favourite moments came when I asked Mark which project he's most proud of.

He couldn't choose one.

Not because nothing stood out.

Because everything mattered.

A Christmas album.

An album recorded with Jessie Gordon.

The music made during covid lockdown.

Collaborations with friends.

Little moments scattered throughout a creative life.

Rather than chasing one defining achievement, Mark chooses to celebrate the collection of experiences that have shaped him.

It's a beautiful reminder that a creative life isn't built from one masterpiece.

It's built from hundreds of meaningful moments.

Creativity needs breathing room

When we reflected on the years surrounding the covid pandemic, Mark described something many creatives will recognise.

During lockdown, creativity flourished.

There was freedom.

Time.

Experimentation.

The chance to create simply because creating felt good.

Then life returned to full speed.

Work accelerated.

Schedules filled.

Creative time slowly disappeared beneath everything else.

The biggest lesson he took from that experience was surprisingly simple.

You have to intentionally create space for creativity.

No one else will do it for you.

The calendar fills itself.

Creative time has to be protected.

The greatest creative tools aren't always instruments

I asked Mark whether there was one object he couldn't live without.

His answer surprised me.

It wasn't a saxophone.

Or a guitar.

Or even the recording equipment surrounding us.

It was friendship.

He spoke about the people who've inspired him, challenged him and shared the journey alongside him.

While instruments are tools, relationships are what give creativity its meaning.

Of course, he'd still rescue a few treasured instruments if the house were on fire.

But the memories made with people...

Those are irreplaceable.

Learn from people who make your brain explode

Towards the end of our conversation, Mark shared story after story about musicians who changed the direction of his creative life.

Not through years of study.

Sometimes through a single sentence.

A rehearsal with legendary saxophonist Big Jay McNeely.

Watching engineers work in recording studios.

One saxophone lesson that took an entire year to fully understand.

Those moments didn't simply teach technique.

They shifted perspective.

He believes the fastest way to grow creatively is to spend time with people who know more than you do.

Observe.

Ask questions.

Be curious.

Geek out.

Because sometimes one conversation can unlock something years of practice couldn't.

Relax... it's going to be okay

When I asked Mark what advice he'd give another creative, he paused before offering something beautifully honest.

Take the pressure off.

We spend so much of our lives worrying about timelines.

Wondering whether we've missed our chance.

Comparing ourselves to everyone else.

Mark laughed as he remembered believing his career was over when he turned thirty.

Then again at thirty-five.

Now he simply smiles at the thought.

Because creativity doesn't work to a deadline.

Your journey doesn't expire because of your age.

It doesn't matter if a project takes years.

It doesn't matter if something changes direction.

It doesn't matter if only your mum loves it.

If it meant something to you...

It mattered.

Final Thoughts

Talking with Mark reminded me that creativity isn't something we eventually arrive at.

It's something we keep choosing.

Through curiosity.

Through friendships.

Through moments that challenge everything we thought we knew.

Most importantly, it's about remembering to enjoy the adventure while we're living it.

Because the destination has never really been the point.

The journey is.

And perhaps that's exactly why we keep opening the creative door.

Ax

Listen to the full conversation with Mark Turner on Through the Creative Door S1.E10, where we explore creative spaces, collaboration, lifelong learning, finding balance, and why the most meaningful creative journey is the one you're already living.