Quiet Patch

I’ve been doing a lot of out-reach for commissions, residencies, and even in-house illustration roles recently, and whilst I’m finding the very little success incredibly deflating, I’m trying 1) to not beat myself up about it and 2) to always looking on the bright side, so I actually feel really lucky for the opportunity to slow down and be more present as I’ve read way more books in the past few month than I normally do which is definitely a win!

🧘🏼‍♂️ I’m constantly reevaluating how to run my illustration business and work in general to sustain a life that’s more manageable and comfortable. I’m still a long way off a perfection solution but I’ve feeling far better taking the pressure off, slowing down, and replacing a decent amount of screen time with reading in nature 📖🌲 So I’d like to utilise this opportunity to showcase my bookmarks out in the wild!

Fruity illustration bookmarks can be purchased here to bring some brightness to your day 🌞

Bulletin Magazine for Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists

I recently illustrated the cover and a bunch of interior illustrations for Bulletin Magazine from Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists.

Not only was this my first published cover illustration, but it was also for a publication close to my heart, as my mum is a speech and language therapist. Growing up, we always had copies of Bulletin magazine floating around the house, so it felt like quite a full-circle moment when I received my copy in the post!

The article I was commissioned to illustrate is all about looking at apprenticeships as an alternative to traditional degrees, to train as a speech and language therapist. Victoria Lundie and Hazel Richards worked with apprentices and mentors at Birmingham City University to explore the pros and cons of apprenticeship-based degrees. For the cover, I was directed to show an apprentice chatting with a mentor, then throughout the main spread of the article I used hands with varying gestures and tools commonly used with SLT work to demonstrate a ‘hands on approach’ that was frequently mentioned with the text. As usual, I drew with a mixture of ethnicities and skin tones to ensure openness and inclusion, and then for the final spot illustration I wanted to suggest a juggling of responsibilities that is required within apprenticeship based learning, such as time-management of personal life alongside studies. 📚

Children of the 90s portraits for Nonesuch Magazine

Back in March I completed 5 illustrations for Nonesuch magazine (University of Bristol’s Alumni magazine) under the creative direction of Steers McGillan Eves, and today I finally received my copy of issue 4!

4 out of the 5 illustrations were for an article by William Ham Bevan, Intergenerational Impact :The story behind Children of the 90s, one of the world's largest and longest running health studies. Following the incredible scientific accomplishments and groundbreaking work of Jean Golding, Nic Thompson, Yeo Giles, and Melanie Davis.

It was such a joy to bring these portraits to life whilst also learning about the incredible work of the Children of the 90’s study!

I also completed a simpler portrait illustration for the ‘Five Minutes with the Founder’ section, making 4 all together when compiled with the previous years commissions too.