Safe Oot, Safe In: From Commission to Collection
Last November, I wrote about one of my favourite commissions of 2025 — an illustrated map and a set of icon illustrations for the Berwick Riders Association's new website. If you haven't read it, the short version is: I created a detailed map of the Riding of the Bounds route, plus ten icon illustrations of the people, animals and traditions that make the event what it is.
The launch of the new website (including my illustrated map) at the Berwick Riders’ Association Christmas market in November 2025
It was a project I really enjoyed. And after the files were delivered and the website launched, I found I wasn't quite done with it.
Taking it further
The Riding of the Bounds is a genuinely special event.
It is a living tradition that's been going for more than four hundred years, and one that still draws a big crowd to Berwick every May. I’ve always enjoyed going into town to see the horses and riders gathering in the Barracks and the procession down to the Guildhall for the official send-off from the mayor. Working on the commission gave me an even closer look at all the details that make it tick, and I came away wanting to do something with the illustrations beyond their original brief.
So this spring I've been developing a small collection of my own, using the artwork as a starting point.
What's in the collection
The new Riding of the Bounds collection includes:
An illustrated map print (available in A3 and A4) — a cleaner, simplified version of the route designed to work as a print to hang on your wall. I’ve added a hand-lettered title and the full-colour illustrations are integrated into the map to show the key moments of the ride. I’ve also included some information to help describe the event.
A set of greeting cards featuring individual illustrations from the collection.
The prints and cards are printed on quality FSC-certified paper stock and come with a recycled Kraft envelope. They are available to buy individually or as a set. All of my products are printed here in the UK and are packaged with minimal packaging (and no plastic).
A portion of the proceeds from every print and card sold from this collection will be donated to the Berwick Riders Association, to help support the continuation of the event.
Launch date: 2nd May
The collection launches on 2nd May 2026, the day of this year's Riding of the Bounds.
If you'd like to see it in person before then, come and find me at the Art at Paxton pop-up artist’s market on Tuesday 21st April. I'll hopefully have the collection with me at my stall in the Ballroom at Paxton House — free entry, 10am–4pm.
From 2nd May, everything will be available in my online shop.