All the Little Things

Craft fairs are such a lot of work and sometimes can be a bit soul destroying if the stars don't align and they are a bit quiet. Last weekend I did the Hepworth makers market and it wasn't soul destroying even though the weather was very hot and that effected visitors. The reason it was still so lovely was because the organisers put everything into making it a great fair. There was a cafe, refreshments, lovely ice cream, air con and great music!  I was pleased with my stand and sold a lot of hand printed t-shirts. I saw loads...

I have had thoughts about class and art for such a long time and never really known how to express them. I think I also had a sense of embarrassment probably at my lack of connections, aspirations and funding.  I grew up in a small northern town that didn't have any kind of arts scene. When I said I wanted to do art to my career advisor at school it didn't cross my mind that I could be an artist. It didn't cross theirs either because they suggested I become an art therapist. I knew I didn't want to do...

I have always been interested in drawing the moon; its circular form being both abstract and detailed at the same time. I guess there has been a lot of sky gazing with Nasa's Artemis II mission. I am not sure about having moon bases. I would like it to stay a magical and more mysterious. I saw such a beautiful exhibition at Leeds Art Gallery called "Don't Let's Ask for the Moon" , which keeps it that way. The exhibition brought together John Atkinson Grimshaw's Moonlights from the 1880's alongside more contemporary nocturnal landscapes. It is on until April 19th...

Take a walk with me at Beadnell Bay..

A quarter of a century ago I graduated with a BA Honours in Illustration. I had a head full of stories and looked at everything in detail, breaking down colours and shapes in things that flashed before me; glimpses on trains, someones brief stance, the ever changing skies.  Twenty five years on I realise I will always look at the world this way. My old college at Edinburgh hosted an alumni day on last Friday and everything felt full circle. It was so inspiring. There were lots of talks including ones from my old tutors; Jill Calder and Sarah Ogilvie....