What happened in February and March?

It's probably what most people are thinking this year, when it comes to these two months: What on earth happened? From business as usual to lockdown of all but essential services, it makes for a very surreal start to 2020.

Three by Three Book 3, by Stories 2020 (Collaboration)

Luckily, the move into my new accommodation was completed smoothly before these measures came into being, and I've been putting the much improved dedicated art working space to good use! It's been a delight to start and finish off some of the Artist Book collaboration pieces I'm making with fellow illustrators Sarah Hannis and Louise Wilson, although the Bookmarks fair we intended to showcase these at was sadly cancelled.

Meanwhile these necessary public health closures are having a knock on effect everywhere. In an effort to support the charity Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS), who commissioned me for a lovely range of Birthday Cards, I'm -off my own back- making my copies of these available from my ETSY store page - with a pound from every sale to be donated back to them. I've got a feeling the support they provide will be very much in demand once normalcy returns.

My daily challenges have been ticking along nicely, with February producing a lovely first draft of a Storyboard for a Picture Book involving a little Robin and some children stuck at home by illness when they want to be outside. March allowed me to explore the various punishments doled out in Greek Myths, featuring both the absurd and sometimes nasty villains... Always a pleasure to revisit such rich lore!

I also had the great pleasure in February of having a lovely informal chat with Polly Gates (who I met via Creative Edinburgh's Creative Circles) on her Edinburgh University Student Radio show. It was great to talk with her about creativity, inspiration and networking.

As things stand, it's not quite clear what April brings, but I'll be sure to use the time creatively.