We recently connected with Delphine Lippens / Shungi Ono and have shared our conversation below.

Delphine Lippens / , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

For self-publishing, and writing children’s books, YouTube has been my go-to resource. One video led to another, raised a question that needed to be addressed in another video, and that kept going. It took hundreds of hours of research, watching videos, learning new skills, new programs, and more to start this journey. There will always be people more intelligent than I am, more talented, more clever, more savvy, more lucky, more successful … so what! I do what I can, with what I can, within my own limited capacities, and create through my own lense. And that’s ok. That’s enough. There is space in the world for what I bring. Even if it can be better and is imperfect! I sometimes need to be taught like a 5 year old, then go from there. Trying to pretend I am more intelligent than I actually am does not serve me or my process. So, what is the actual goal? And that’s how I approach a new craft. As I write this, someone texted me they found a mistake in one of my books, Oh well, that will need to be addressed. But I’d rather have my book in the world with a typo , than not at all because I am paralyzed by my lack of perfection. Sometimes, mistakes bring charm or are a learning opportunity. Maybe, because of that typo, that passage will remain in the reader’s mind longer, they might linger on that page looking at the illustration, maybe, the next time they write something, they’ll remember the correct way to write it because of my mistake. It’s all good and it will get addressed.

Children book authors and self-publishing authors like Eevi Jones, Heather Cash, Dale L. Roberts, Mandi Lynn, R.K. Williams, and many others were so generous with their process, tips, tricks and tutorials: I could not have created YUKA THE RED PANDA series without their help. This is a very intimidating journey! A big shout out to all those who shared their process and guidance online – thank you!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Delphine Lippens, Jack of all trades, Reflector 6/2 RRRR. Based in Los Angeles, some may know me as the founder of Humble Ceramics (2010-2025) or DJ Delphinus (KPFK’s THE DARK ROOM 2002-2010) or …. After taking a six-week course with a friend, in late summer of 2010, I started a very unexpected journey in the world of pottery. That hobby quickly evolved into a business and after more than a decade, I decided to change. When I was no longer aligned or passionate about my business, I decided to pivot and write children’s books under the pseudonym Shungi Ono. This new venture: writing/creating heartfelt content for neurodivergent starseeds, highly sensitive souls, toddlers, seniors, and anyone in between. Being a fierce hermit/loner/introvert, I decided that moving forward, I wanted to work alone. This new project did not come from me, the muses and spirit guides whispered it to me relentlessly for months, so I decided to go for it, applied my own experiences and aesthetic to it. After many sleepless nights, the series “YUKA THE RED PANDA: Adventures of a little light worker in search of experiences, beauty, and wisdom” (based on my childhood experiences and personality) was born.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Knowing your own Human Design is very important. We don’t expect cows to climb trees or hunt other animals, we don’t expect giraffes to fly, or dolphins to trek across the desert without water for days … that’s just not their “design”, yet they are all mammals. So why, as human beings, are we all expected to function the same way? Knowing your design will act as your individual and extremely specific owner’s manual. Knowing your design is a huuuge advantage, and will serve you in life AND business. It will save you time and energy. If I want to blend something, I use a blender, not a microwave. If I want to toast a piece of bread, I use a toaster, not a washing machine. The same could be applied to people and their gifts! Times are changing, and the more you know yourself, the better choices you will make. The more genuine you are, the more aligned you are with your soul purpose, the better you will be at attracting your tribe, or those who resonate with what you offer / who you are.

Not everyone can, wants, or will create the next unicorn company. Some of us need to express what we have inside, our passions, points of view, and create a life that is satisfying. Joy, happiness an self-care are so underrated. I saw an Instagram post by @adamgrant that said: “resting is not a waste of time; it is an investments in well being. Relaxing is not a sign of laziness; it is a source of energy. Breaks are not distractions; they’re a chance to refocus attention. Play is not frivolous; it’s a path to connection and creativity.” That post took away a lot of my shame and guilt about resting, relaxing, taking breaks and playing!

If you are a star peg, don’t force yourself into a round hole, because if you do, you will clip off the parts of you that are magic!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is to invite souls to observe, reflect, and wonder about the beauty, poetry, and intelligence of life, nature, this planet, being here, present, in the now, as we are. To invite others to look at life with different lenses, to see beauty no matter where they are on the various spectrums of life. To share a type of mindfulness through form (music, food, healing touch, ceramics, art, children’s books, quality time with a chosen few …). And to explore into their own Human Design [or other modalities] that will help them understand/inform who they are and how they function (their “design”) so that they may align with their soul purpose as genuinely and purely as possible, no matter what, with compassion, a tender detachment, separate from social contexts, religion, culture, community, gender or race. To be present for and recognize the gems that life brings our way, even in the middle of chaos or pain, may it be a smile, a smell, a flavor, a sound, a moment, a quote, a joke, how light reflects on a leaf, synchronicities, or how ever it manifests in your life.

To incarnate as a human being is not easy. Life is not easy. Yet, it is such a gift. In my own way, through “my” creativity, I want to give people the courage the keep going … and let them know that no matter what happens, they will be ok! Don’t let yourself get sucked into the matrix … stay present, curious, and aware! Stay true to your essence. Protect your time, energy, and soul. Trust your gut! Take what works or resonates and leave the rest.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shungitepublishing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shungitepublishing/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delphine-lippens-46b70031/

Image Credits

Images by Shungi Ono. Copyright 2024 Shungite Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.