I really enjoyed working on my Riding of the Bounds commission last year. So this spring I've been developing a small collection, using the artwork I created for the Berwick Riders’ Association as a starting point. This new map print and set of note cards will launch on Saturday 2nd May (the date for the 2026 Riding of the Bounds).

There’s always a mix of excitement and nerves when a new product arrives from the printers. After months of drawing, tweaking colours, finalising the layout and ordering samples, it is always a relief to finally open the box and see the finished tea towel calendars stacked neatly inside.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been immersed in my sketchbook, carefully hand-drawing each illustration for my 2026 Calendar Tea Towel in ink, before layering in watercolour washes for detail and colour. It’s been lovely spending time on the little details – the bright splash of a robin’s breast, the patterning on a thrush’s feathers, or the soft texture of moss for a nest.

Summer’s in full swing and the next couple of months are looking busy in the best way - a lovely mix of creative work, meeting clients and customers at markets, events and workshops, gentle family adventures, and a few moments just for me!

I’d love to create another calendar tea towel for 2026, but I need your help to decide what the theme should be! I’ve narrowed my ideas down to five themes and given a sense of the sorts of illustrations that might be included, but can you help me by voting for your favourite?

In celebration of World Whale Day (16th February 2025) I’ve created this watercolour illustration of three types of whale that can be seen off the coastline of Northumberland (as well as around the UK more widely). Here’s a little behind-the-scenes look at how I created the illustration.

Berwick-upon-Tweed, perched on the border between England and Scotland, is a town full of charm and history. One of its many standout features is its three impressive bridges over the River Tweed, each with its own story to tell and views to provide. If you’re visiting the town, don’t forget to add them to your itinerary!

The alternative to Black Friday/Cyber Monday is Indie Friday (29th November 2024). The idea was conceived of by the Just A Card campaign, to highlight that when you buy from a small business or independent maker, you’re getting more than ‘just’ a card (or a book, or a tea towel, etc). You’re purchasing the time and effort and creativity and community of the maker! In this spirit, I thought it might be fun to provide some suggestions for how one of my Large Square Note Cards can be more than ‘just’ a card, with a little time and a few supplies…

I thought I’d showcase some of my ‘harvest’ inspired collections for you. All of my art prints and gifts are printed here in the UK and use sustainably-sourced materials. So if you buy from me, you’re not only supporting a British indie business, but also doing your bit for the environment, too!

It feels really early to be shouting about Christmas gifting at the beginning of October, but when I was doing markets in August people were confiding that the purchases that they were making were actually for Christmas presents! For some of you this post will therefore be perfectly-timed - I’ve got a lovely range of eco-friendly Christmas cards and wrapping paper already in stock, with more cards to come later this month, alongside drops of new gift sets featuring some of my best-selling designs, as well as commission slots for those looking to give something unique and bespoke!

When I started teaching myself to draw and paint as part of my mid-life career change, I seemed to unconsciously gravitate towards wildlife and nature subjects followed by a gradual focus on illustrating birds - specifically British birds - in all their variety.

The 2024 Berwick Food & Beer Festival is fast approaching (16th - 18th August) and I’m going to be attending. Whilst I’ve gone every year since we moved to Berwick and last year I even volunteered at the event, this year I’m actually going to be a stall-holder in the producers’ market!

I wanted to take a selection of my art prints and gifts that are inspired by Northumberland, but also to create some more food-based designs specifically for the occasion. I’ve therefore been beavering away on the following collections, which I’ll be launching at the event on 17th August and will then have available on my website and Folksy shop from w/c 19th August

This Plastic Free July, find out how I ensure that there is no plastic in my supply chain so that you can be confident that if you’re buying an art print or gift from me, it will have as limited an impact on the planet as possible.

My new British Songbird collection features some well-known garden favourites (blackbird, blue tit, robin, song thrush) as well as others that we might only see at certain times of year, or when out-and-about in different habitats.

I’ve had my Folksy shop since July 2023 and thought it would be interesting to share a bit about why I use this platform for selling my range of eco-friendly art prints and gifts.

I’ve been participating in the #birbruary challenge hosted by Amanda Pearson of Winging It Drawing to draw a songbird found in the British Isles every day throughout the month of February, in support of the charity Songbird Survival.

As the winter chill stretches endlessly before us, now is the perfect time to cosy up your space with some artistic warmth. And what better way to do that than with my Mid-Winter Art Print Sale?!

I’ve worked hard to identify suppliers that share my values around environmental responsibility; all of the companies I work with are based in the UK and take sustainability seriously. I’ve tried to keep to a small range of either beautiful or functional (or both!) items like mugs, tea towels, coasters, cards and prints.

I really enjoy the run up to Christmas, as I’m a natural list-maker and organiser. I love getting cosy at home with the wood burner on and the smells of Christmas baking and cooking, or venturing out into town or to local events with twinkling lights and good company.

Regularly spotting so many coastal birds is the inspiration behind my newest collection, celebrating seven species that can often be seen here. The collection features detailed watercolour and pen illustrations of Arctic Terns, Brent Geese, Cormorants, Eider Duck, Oystercatcher, Purple Sandpiper and Puffins.