As we edge into summer, I can’t help but think of a Finnish island I often visit in books. The island was the summer stomping ground of Tove Jansson, the fiercely creative artist and author of the Moomins books that both children and adults still cherish. In her books and letters – see Letters from … More Books – Tove Jansson’s island summers
A sketchbook is a visual journal, a means of practice and a way to relax. Keeping a daily sketchbook was one of my New Year’s resolutions. I soon realised that for me this was, like all my resolutions, best seen as an intention rather than a pass/fail stringent duty. Sometimes the impetus to draw isn’t … More The art of keeping a sketchbook
The Goodship Illustration art club is a fun, weekly event run online by three illustrators. … More The cheery, online art club!
Our garden is small but it’s packed with colour this November. I challenged myself yesterday to photograph the different hues and life in it, rather than grumble about the lack of space. I realised, again, that this tiny garden is full of treats I often overlook. Full of creatures I know nothing about, going about … More A tiny garden, teaming with colour!
This summer I photographed my partner relishing a brief seaside trip following his toughest ever months working for the ambulance service. I wanted to capture his seaside glee! He’s back to work now, but it was touching to see him wandering into the waves, free from stress, amid the most challenging times of his career. … More Photographing joy!
Whether you want to write, draw or take photos, here are ways to get creative. … More Ten ways to get creative
Autumn is starting to glow! The light and trees are changing every day, so I’ve been observing trees on daily walks and sketching at home. It’s such an amazing time of year! In Martin Gayford’s book A Bigger Message: Conversations with David Hockney, Hockney touches on how much more you notice in nature when drawing … More Autumn art – drawings and paintings
Reflections are fun to photograph and can be a challenge to draw! When photographing reflections, I often crouch down low to see if I can capture a more striking view. And once I’ve taken the picture, I often rotate it upside-down to put the reflections centre-stage. In these photos, taken with my iPhone, my son … More Capturing reflections in photos and art
Making simple marks on paper can build drawing skills and spark the imagination. … More From mark-making to drawing
Cats are a joy to draw. Some of my favourite cat illustrations are comforting images in The New Yorker magazine. Cats are cosy and coiled or beautiful and streamlined. They represent both home and the wild. … More Drawing cats
I keep meaning to make signs around the house reminding me to let go, to take a deep breath or to be kind to myself. So this week as I turned to collage for relaxation it felt like the perfect opportunity to make a sign. I have piles of The New Yorker magazine which I … More Making signs for the home
Ways I fill my mind with nature while staying at home. … More Enjoying nature at home
