I took a little break from the animation and exhibition preparation grind with a day trip to Sheffield recently, and despite really enjoying the momentum I’m working with at the moment, it was really good to do something different and explore somewhere new.

Sheffield has been on my agenda for a long time now, I’d never visited before but I continuously heard positive praise that drew me towards it. Perspectives that boasted about its creative scene, as well as its closeness in proximity to The Peak District, and phrases like “you’d love it, it’s the Bristol of The North” all made me very keen to see what the hype is all about.

And then the perfect opportunity to visit all fell into place when a trip there was proposed with my studio residency, Scunthorpe Studio School @ fountain arts!

We were kindly toured round Bloc Projects, Graves Gallery, and Site Gallery, by individuals at each institute, and given a greater understanding about how studio and exhibition opportunities worked there. We then took ourselves to the botanical gardens and a quick trip to the pub to share our perspectives on the city, which we all loved!

I could have gone back to the studio that evening to continue working on my project, but I felt to calling to stick around Sheffield for another night, so I drove my camper to a stunning spot in The Peak District to watch the sun set over the hills, which as if that wasn’t already beautiful enough, some gorgeous cows joined me right outside my door, and so I felt inspired to draw them!

I also shared a timelapse progression video thanks to Procreate, which I can be seen on my Instagram. I don’t often share my quicker /messier drawings but it was really nice to draw last night in nature and with no expectations, simply to be inspired and take a break from my project without productivity guilt.