7 LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED FROM 7 YEARS IN A CREATIVE BUSINESS

A gorgeous gem of a beach tucked out of the way of the wind but seconds from the cafes, bars and shops, King Edward Bay is the perfect place to visit for families with small children that like to wander. Give them space without worrying that they’ll walk out of sight.

So called because it stretches about a mile Longsands is great for a decent leg stretch and you get the awesome scenery to go with it too. It’s a popular beach and can get really busy at a weekend - especially when the sun comes out. It’s popular with families, students and dog walkers alike and the area surrounding it has a lot to offer. Read on for some of my favourite picks.

Whitley Bay is a glorious part of the world that offers incredible sea views, independent shops and eateries and family entertainment by the bucketload.

The sea air is intoxicating, the family atmosphere is heart warming and the work they have done to reinvigorate the town and promenade area over the last 20 years has transformed it from a dilapidated hen and stag do venue to a celebration of all things local and northern.

Read on for some of my suggestions of fabulous places to visit on a day out in Whitley Bay and see my top picks.

Wanna know something weird?

I never intended to start a business.

All I wanted was something for myself after having a baby - something creative that was just about me in a life where my existence entirely revolved around a tiny person.

I had wanted a baby for about a decade but it wasn't the right time. Truth be told I thought she'd fill a void. Instead she showed me I had work to do on myself and that included attending to my creative needs.

Printmaking gives me an enormous sense of self, the world and how I express my feelings. The carving process helps me focus on the moment instead of stressing about the long list of jobs that never seems to get shorter and the inking brings much loved colour into the day.

Creating artwork, I get to decide on my own perspective and show how I see things or want things to be. It's a form of communication where I don't have to talk and I can speak to people's emotions. I connect with people who either see the world like me or want to. It's pretty amazing really.

If you want to explore this incredible process (as well as others) and see what it can do for you, check out the workshops that I’m offering this year by reading more.

Towards the end of 2023, I was working away on a new print and now it’s time to tell you the story of how it came to life.

Tumbling is a celebration of the wild waves of the North Sea. I went to stay in Beadnell and we were greeted with Storm Babet. Some people may see this as a time to hide away and stay cosy but I’m not one of those people. Instead I collected my sketchbook and watercolours and headed out to explore.

Since visiting the Ouseburn Open Studios in 2017, I knew that was where I emanated a studio. Since then, I’ve visited the open studios and scoured every inch of the Ouseburn Valley to see which studios would suit me. As desperate as I was to get a studio, I knew it needed to be the right one.

In Spring 2023, I attended yet another open studios event and found myself in B Box Studios. It was such an inviting space filled with friendly creatives and (it was warm - something my garden studio rarely was).

Straight after that, I contacted The Biscuit Factory Foundation and put my name on the waiting list knowing full well that I couldn’t afford it yet but that studios don’t come up very often.

Six months later, I got an email saying that there were 3 spaces coming up for rent so I went to view them. I cannot express how exciting this was. It was definitely a pinch me moment that made me feel like I was ‘levelling up’ as my coach calls it.

In a world where we seem to expect our shopping to be delivered yesterday, finding good art supplies is getting increasingly difficult. I used to be able to pop into town to Edwin Allen’s in Warrington and get anything I needed. If her didn’t have it in, he knew he could find it at a good price and I totally trusted his expertise. Sadly, these specialist shops seem to be dwindling but there are still a few gems on the high street and a few online too.

Read on to find out my favourites.

On the face of it, art could be considered a pretty wasteful occupation however, I aim to operate low waste systems.

I do this by recycling test prints and misprints into collages and cleaning my tools using vegetable oil rather than harsh chemicals as well as being very careful about the materials that I choose in the first place.

My prints are designed to last - I’m not into fast fashion and wasteful interiors. Find out more…

Our first planned stop in Barcelona was Sagrada Familia - perhaps the ultimate collaborative project. The brain child of Antoni Gaudi and continued by various, sometimes controversial, architects, this impressive ongoing build is full of story and details and designed to represent all people and creatures.

It blew our mind that it only opened as a working church 13 years ago. My favourite part of it was the stained glass and how the colours spilled in and moved around with the changing light.

It’s that time of year again - time for the new Christmas collection.

This time I’ve gone for a gorgeous jewel green with copper print and edging.They’re classy and understated - classics that will last you years and years.

Made from a 10cm plywood base, hand painted and handprinted then finished with twine, these beautiful ornaments are hardwearing and beautiful - perfect for homes with children or pets (Last year one of my customers’ trees was knocked over by their dog and the ornaments were completely unscathed - the tree was a little worse for wear though!).

Over 150 artists and celebrities are coming together lead by Sarah Graham to make a real difference to people battling mental health issues. Find out how!

What is ‘Samarivans’?

Artist Sarah Graham, who is heading up this amazing project, is very open about the fact that The Samaritans have supported her through some very dark times as she’s battled Bipolar disease. She has now be episode free for 4 years (at time of publishing) and thanks The Samritans for their support of more than one occasion.

Buying a piece of art is a very personal process. You may have fallen in love with an artist’s style but have something particular in mind that they haven’t shown on their website. That’s where commissions come in!

Commissioning a piece of art (in my case a bespoke Lino print) is a great way to get EXACTLY what you want. It costs a little more but nobody else will have it and you will be able to chat directly with the artist (me - a real human) about what you’re looking for in as much detail as you have nailed down.

here’s how it worked with my client, Raymond…

If you’re planning your wedding and wondering what to put on your wedding gift list then this is the article for you. Many of us already live with our other half before we get married and already have the usual newly wed gifts (the plates, toasters and towels).

What you want is something beautiful to remember the generosity of your guests by. Read on for my top three ideas to achieve this.

Gallery Wall for Newly Weds

Bespoke Commission For a Married Couple

Gift Vouchers to Choose Your Own Art

Working on bespoke commissioned linocuts is a really wonderful part of what I do. Creating something truly unique to someone’s brief results in my clients getting exactly what they want and means that nobody else has anything like it. What could be better?

Step into a world where the beauty of Tynemouth Longsands and Whitley Bay Beach comes alive through art, where wavy lines and seasonal colours converge to create captivating and timeless Lino prints. I am thrilled to introduce my latest collection of limited edition Lino prints, inspired by the ever-changing seasons and the rhythmic patterns of the North Sea.

Anne’s daughter bought her a one to one Lino print workshop for Mother’s Day. When she booked her session via email, she told me that she wanted to print on paper (there is also the option to print on a tote bag). There are a range of themes to choose from, helping you to narrow down what you want to get out of the session.Read more to find out how the session went and what she created.

In this 2 hour session, Michaela and her hens created a series of Lino prints for both the bride to be and themselves to take home and turn into a gallery wall.

See photos of the workshop and read about how the workshop went and what the hens thought of it.

Lino printmaking is an exciting and unique art form that allows artists to create stunning pieces using a simple yet effective technique. Whether you are a seasoned artist or a beginner in the world of printmaking, mastering lino printmaking requires having the right tools in your arsenal. In this article, we will explore the essential tools every artist needs to become a successful lino printmaker. From carving tools to printing ink, we will cover everything you need to create stunning pieces of art that showcase your creativity and skill. So, whether you are looking to start your lino printmaking journey or you are looking to take your skills to the next level, read on to discover the essential tools that every artist needs to master this exciting art form.

Children are humans NOT numbers on a spreadsheet and I think that the government have forgotten that - so mistrusting of the professionals who actually know what they’re talking about. The Ofsted culture driven by a government mostly run by people who never worried where there next meal was coming from or how their parents would pay for the school trip renders those who control education so far removed from what children need.