April Round-up
Pop the kettle on it's time for a brew!
Dear Reader,
Welcome to my monthly catch-up.
This is where I give you an overview of what’s been going on this month and highlight any particular projects that I think will be of interest.
I will also include a favourite sketchbook spread, flowers that I see springing up on the Lizard, a comment on the weather and any thoughts on the season and at the end share with you what’s coming up for May.
April Stats
Wildflowers spotted: Bluebells, Sea Scurvy, Red Campion, Forget-Me-Not, Kidney Vetch, Yellow Archangel, Perriwinkle, Western Fumitory, Green Alkanet, Early Purple Orchid, Green Winged Orchid, Three Cornered Leek, Celandine, Dog Violet (and many more)!
Weather: Definitely more days of sunshine, dry, some warmer days with a little bit of a chill in the air at times
This month I have mostly been: Leading my Lizard art retreat, painting wildflowers, completing client work and lots of sketching outside
This month has been a mix of illustrating maps for my regular clients Ferment and Glug, finishing work on the Dogfest fun map (pics above and below) I mentioned in my last round-up, beginning work on more fun illustrations for Summer festivals and preparing and planning for my art retreat that happened 22nd-25th April.
I’ve also been creating new designs for greeting cards ready for Open Studios at the end of May - Lighthouses, Orchids and Early Spring Flowers.
I was also delighted to receive a copy of the book I illustrated back in January Wisdom for the Workplace by Sarah Parkhouse. It is now available to purchase on Amazon, if you’re looking for a book full of nature/gardening metaphors that can be applied to real-work situations you may enjoy this.
It’s gently wise, at times humorous, always honest, this beautifully written book provides space for the reader to reflect, slow down, pause. It is a refreshing take on the traditional management handbook and is all the better for that.
Our Lizard Art Retreat
Just over a week ago I ran my second Art Retreat here on the Lizard peninsula at Penmenner house and it was a wonderful few days of sketching, chatting, exploring, meeting new friends and eating great food. I will give a proper review of the time away and what we got up to later in the month but suffice to say it went well, the weather was good to us, not too cold or too windy with even some sunshine.
It was a lovely encouraging international group, (we had Lisa from America and Joanna from Spain) along with Wendy and Julie and all got on really well. Throughout the retreat there was a gentle hum of conversation and sharing.
I share a bit more in the following video along with all my sketches and art pieces I’ve done over the last few months. There is also some special news of what else I’ve been working on at the end.
Wildflower Painting
You may remember I mentioned about the wildflower collaborative session I did with
this has continued to inspire me and I have been painting some wildflower pieces outside of my sketchbook. I plan to continue and paint a collection of these especially particularly inspired by the wildflowers coming up along the coast. You can see them in the video above too.
Workshops and Events to join in May and June
Woodland Wild Flower Walk
There are two opportunities to join me on a sketchwalk this May/June around the beautiful location of Fat Apples Cafe, situated at Porthallow. We’ll have access to the private woodland at the back of the venue and draw inspiration from the flowers and trees and breathtaking views we’ll see. The dates are as follows:
Friday May 9th 2-4.30pm
Friday June 27th 2-4.30pm
Open Studios 24th-1st June
Coming up at the end of May I’ll be taking part in Cornwall Open studios at Lowenek Art Studio, where I was last year and will be running a wildflower themed workshop- this time we’ll be creating a pop-up wildflower garden. If you’re in the area and want to join please book to join, you’ll find all the details here.
The workshop is happening on Thursday the 29th May 2pm. Book your spot here.
There will be four of us exhibiting together this time:
Pippa Alston Potter and Painter
Kristiana Dorosconoka
IllustratorFiona Thomas Mixed Media + stitch artist
and myself- illustrator and sketcher
We’d love to welcome you to the space at Lowenek and will be open during the following times:
Saturday 24th May 11-5pm
Sunday 25th May 11-5pm
Monday 26th May 11-5pm
Thursday 29th May 11-5pm (workshop running in the afternoon from 2pm)
Friday 30th May 11-5pm
Saturday 31st May 11-5pm
Sunday 1st June 11-5pm
Favourite Sketchbook Page
My favourite page this month was created on the last day of April whilst recording my Explore and Draw podcast at Mullion Cove. Facing towards the hotel and flowers with my back to the sea.
Coming up for May on Substack
Here’s what I’ll be writing / sharing with you on Substack this month (P for paid and F for free)
Process and Play series P
Art Retreat review F
Sketchbook pages for March/April P
Explore and Draw podcast Ep.25 P
Draw-along May Zoom gathering 15th May 4-5.30pm BST
Swatch and Sketch Zoom meeting P Wednesday 28th May 4-5pm BST
You can upgrade to paid to support my work at anytime and access the growing library of posts.
Hope this newsletter find you well,
How wonderful that we've inspired each other to paint wildflowers, can't wait to see the whole collection! I've gotten inspired to work on a bigger scale, hopefully I can share the artworks soon too 🥰
I look forward to your book! That will be a treat.