It’s funny when I pondered over the work I’d done in the past year, it felt like I’d done very little. But when I compiled my list, it felt quite plump and healthy. Peppered in amongst the usual distracting domestic things, was a lovely collection of jobs. Here’s a few of them…..
The year started with some more illustrated packaging labels (which I LOVE doing) These were for 2 female businesses based here in Cardiff, both of which sell products I totally believe in. Check them out! The first provides a therapy space with amazing treatments plus beautiful organic products to calm and relax and the second is a female beekeeper with a range of gins containing her honey. Both dream jobs and I always love creating designs for them.
In Spring I was thrilled to be asked by the French publisher Gründ and Greenpeace to do a spread in a children’s picture book. It was a collaboration with lots of other illustrators and the book guides children and parents to live a more earth-friendly and sustainable life. I chose the palm oil subject. This is my spread…
Notre Planète. Gründ
Flower Girl by Lucy Owen. Published by Atebol
I made a film for Pontypridd Children’s Book festival , a new skill I’ve had to learn (like alot of us have!) I really enjoyed filming, compiling extra bits and editing it. Watch it here
I sketched out doors nearly every day to keep my observational skills awake. And the fresh air and watching the seasons change is so good for the soul. I’ll expand on this subject later in the year but for now, here are a few pages from my sketch books. . . .
I like to help some of the charities that approach me during the year. I had a bit of time to create some pieces for auctions and do a couple of workshops online to help adults and small children. The workshops produced some fabulous artwork!! and really lifted us during socially distanced times.
Online art challenges are a good way to produce a new body of work and if there’s time, I like to take part in Inktober. This is an online drawing challenge using ink, with daily prompts for inspiration. Ink is a little change of medium for me! 31 drawings in a row is quite a commitment though!! But by the end of it your creative brain is trained up and your drawing skills have had a work out!! Here are a selection below- some are still available to buy in my website shop. . . .
So that’s a wrap for 2021. I hope you enjoyed some of the projects I showed above. I look forward to getting stuck into a new book project this month and developing some new portfolio pieces for my lovely agent. Thank you for reading this far, Thank you to all who have supported my work online or bought/borrowed my books. The feedback I get from all over the world is mind blowing and really keeps me inspired. If you liked this blog entry, please press LIKE at the end. Thank you again and Happy 2022 xxxxx