April 2023

April brings us Easter; a time when we celebrate Spring, new life and lengthening days. I always think of my father around this time, as his birthday fell in this month. He was an artist who worked in commercial advertising, often from home as well as his London studio. As a small child I ‘worked’ alongside him in his room at the top of the house, at my own drawing board and desk, set up next to his. I would make my own creations, often using offcuts from his collages or 3D models made from card. He taught me so much about design and drawing, colour and form, but most of all he taught me how to look, how to really see. Never much good at school, my father was my teacher, across all subjects. I know now that our time spent together was the most generous and precious gift he could ever have given me. I have inherited many of his tools, including an ancient Stanley knife, intricately graded steel rulers and (still very sharp) paper shears; as I use them I notice that my hands are just like his hands, a mysterious living link to him.

March 2023

An old English folk rhyme states: March winds and April showers, bring forth May flowers! There is certainly talk of colder windier weather to come this month, but it is good to think that Spring is now just about here; I for one am enjoying the daffodils and other blooms which are now brightening up the garden. The photo is Blackthorn, my favourite of all; the photo was taken in March last year although this year’s blossom is not showing yet.

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I have been adding more Alphabet letter cards to the shop so hopefully you will be able to find the letter you seek in a colourway you like!

February 2023

February hosts Valentine’s Day and once again I have been asked to supply heart cards to various galleries and shops that sell my work. I first began designing with hearts after a friend took me to the Shaker Shop in London over twenty years ago which was my introduction to American Folk Art. The Shaker prayer ‘Hands to work, Hearts to God’ is often depicted with a heart and hand. Later I noticed hearts in the Arts and Crafts movement, sometimes as a cut out shape in the back of a simple wooden chair. The heart always seems to bring a feeling of life and hope, as well as love. My heart cards can be found in the drop-down menu in the main Cards category.

The winter-flowering honeysuckle, usually the first to be visited by awakening bumblebees, is now in bloom (photograph) and the Rooks are back in the churchyard making a racket again. The Churchyard is also home to tawny owls, to be heard t-wit-t-wooing at night, and the woodpecker drums loudly on the trees in the mornings. Those resting in peace don’t get much peace, but these joyful sounds all tell of Spring just around the corner!