I know easter is around the corner, and this week the garden decided to offer up a different kind of egg! I stumbled upon it on the lawn – and for a split second, I swear it looked uncannily like a lost Cadbury’s Mini Egg. Alas, it was no mini egg, but the real deal….
Easter is just around the corner here in the village, and yes, I’m definitely feeling that Full Moon energy – or maybe it’s just the copious amounts of tea I’ve consumed this week. My focus outside has been firmly on the bumblebees – my big, fuzzy little garden marauders. Likely because out of the blue,…
The daffodils (Narcissus to my Latin-speaking friends) have well and truly popped up, putting on a much-welcomed spring display of dazzling power. I’ll be honest, I don’t recall them being quite this enthusiastic last year. Mind you, the border is absolutely teeming with tufts of them. Plus in my defence, this time last year, my…
Between 2022 and 2024, I was fortunate to be involved in the Forest of Bowland Nature Recovery Plan. I’ve written about this rewarding project in a previous blog post, but in essence, my role involved creating eight landscape illustrations. These aimed to capture some of the Forest of Bowland’s internationally important habitats. Within these landscape…
Had a catch-up with the Forest of Bowland National Landscape team this week – they’ve just launched the 2025 ‘Discover Bowland’ Guide ! If you’ve never seen one, it’s a yearly publication packed with info. Super useful for anyone visiting the area and wanting to make the most of their trip. It also offers a…
In late 2022, I was honoured with a commission to create a series of landscape illustrations. The task was to visualise what nature recovery in the Forest of Bowland could look like, crafting a compelling visual narrative about the future of this truly vital landscape. To bring these illustrations to life, I began working closely…
A sketchbook acts as a visual diary, capturing the artist’s journey, thoughts, and inspirations in a raw and unfiltered form. Throughout history, countless renowned artists have utilized sketchbooks to develop their artistic prowess and vision. From the sketches of Leonardo da Vinci, which showcased his groundbreaking scientific and artistic ideas, to the captivating travel sketches…
As illustrators using traditional mediums, we embark on a never-ending journey of buying art supplies, and exploring the vast realm of colours to bring our visions to life on canvas or paper. With each new tube of paint colours, we hold a world of possibilities in our hands. This is why it’s so exciting to…
I’ve just had the delightful experience of completing a small commission for Northcote’s, a charming establishment nestled not too far from my home in the enchanting Forest of Bowland. Northcote is a prestigious Michelin-starred restaurant and hotel, exuding elegance and nestled amidst lush grounds. As I embarked on this artistic journey, I knew I had…
The first Saturday in July each year marks a special occasion close to my heart – National Meadows Day, dedicated to celebrating the beauty of wildflower meadows. As an illustrator who finds true joy in depicting plants through drawing and painting, gazing upon a meadow feels like exploring a treasure trove of delights. You never…