Tuesday, 8 September 2026

September-And A Cascade of Brave Actions

Image shows a lettered september with orange berries and green leaves nestling and sprouting within the hand-lettered word, against a watercolour blue sky and terracotta earth.
Tap or click here to download this illustration 
Links back and credit always very much appreciated,
but never required.


Hello there

Hope all's well with you. Apologies for this being a little late (especially if you wanted to use this month's free illustration-above-early in the month).

However, it's been such an exciting few weeks, I can't wait to tell you all the news.

And, unusually, I can even make a shrewd guess as to why everything has suddenly decided to become so exciting. Strap in and come along for the ride...


How it all began...

It all began with one brave thing. An illustration opportunity that I didn't even get, but nerved myself to go for anyway. Nonetheless, the encouragement of the enthusiastic response I received during that process made me a bit bolder.

Which led me to thinking that maybe it was time to paint outside. That bit, you do know about, (and if you're new here, it's all in my previous post).

The success of that got me thinking, "What if I intentionally do one brave thing every week?".

(And yes, I know. There are plenty of self-help gurus out there with shiny white teeth, and a conviction that one should do such a brave thing daily. But I'm a highly sensitive person who'd rather not fry their nervous system completely. So one brave action a week it was to be).


By Week Three...

The thing is, it turns out that if you do one brave action, the adrenaline of it all can get  a bit...addictive...

So suddenly I ended up watercolouring a card for a neighbour, (yes, I'd hitherto been veeery bashful about telling any neighbours about well...pretty much any of my art, actually. Previously, I just put it noiselessly on print-on-demand sites. And yet there I was, sending this (sans water mark, obviously):


Image shows a line and wash watercolour of a geranium type plant in a pot, with red and white leaves.
"Pelargonium 'Islington Peppermint'" in 
line and wash watercolour.



This was on top of: a really exciting project I can't tell you about yet, but am longing to, then deciding to sign up as super-early-bird  (not an affiliate link!) for a year-long one-session-a-week course in 2027 (eek) *and* then signing up for a more immediate post-on-Instagram-each-day-for-a-week challenge. 

Yes, I got (temporarily) addicted to this "one brave step" thing and did too many all at once...until they all collided. Yes, my nervous system *is* now officially fried like an egg.

But yes, also, "one brave thing a week," is going to continue to be phrase for me. Life is more fun with it than without it.

Finally

Finally, as always  thanks ever so much for being here. If you truly want to witness my (howlingly bad) first-ever attempts at reels, selfie reels, etc, on Instagram then there is a sample here.

But if you do, I should at least give you a peek at how that sketch of purple scabious flowers is supposed to look, first...

Image is a square line and wash watercolour sketch of purple scabious flowers, grasses in various shades of green and a milky-blue sky
Purple Scabious Flowers &
A Butterfly Sketch

More soon-though please forgive me if the soon stretches just a little bit at the moment.

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Wednesday, 26 August 2026

Six (And a Bit) Things I Learnt From Sketching Outdoors

Hello there

As promised, today's topic is compleeeeeetely different. It's everything I learnt from my first-ever attempt at sketching outdoors (at the beautiful Delapré Abbey, in Northamptonshire). 


Rough Pen and Watercolour sketch of part of Delapré Abbey
Rough Pen and Watercolour sketch of part of Delapré Abbey





Warning: There will be bloopers, rookie mistakes, comedy,  and lots of rapid-rather-than-lovely sketches.

That said, I also learned more in one day outside than maybe three months of learning indoors. So here are my key takeaways from the day.


1. People didn't appear to notice that I was sketching, at all.

Yes, that's right. It took a full five years from my first thinking about nerving myself to do some drawing in a public outdoor space, to actually doing it. Five years of being convinced that everyone would notice what was going on (and *not* in a good way...Fevered imaginings of people telling me their five-year-old could do better, abounded, during those years...).

And then when I did finally pluck up the courage...I chose shady spots (because it was a hot, sunny day)...And it was as if no-one could even see me. At all. 


Rough pen and watercolour sketch  of a whimsical pink love seat
Rough pen and watercolour sketch
 of a whimsical pink love seat
outside the *gorgeous*
Eden Wild Floral Shop.




Maybe if I'd had an easel, instead of a pen, tiny paintbox and small homemade sketchbook...people might have noticed more. But everyone I met when just moving around there was lovely anyway, so I doubt anyone would have been anything other than supportive, even if they had noticed. 

Lesson learnt.



2. It was huuuge *fun*...

This was another big surprise. Being forced to work quickly (see below) and see things as they really are, gives you quite an adrenaline rush. Which I, at least, really enjoyed.




Rough watercolour sketch of a bell tower- or was it a dove-cote?

Rough sketch of a bell tower-
or was it a dove-cote?





3. The light moves all.the.time...

Which means you just have to do your best in the moment, work quickly and ...seize the day, before everything changes colour again. There isn't time for overthinking. (Another huge plus point if you're such an overthinker you've spent five years mulling this idea over... :-).




Rough Pen and Watercolour Sketch of the belltower/dovecote including the sun on the gorgeous yellow stone...
Rough Pen and Watercolour Sketch of the belltower/dovecote
including the sun on the gorgeous yellow stone...




4. In fact, everything moves, all the time...

From people...

Watercolour and Pen sketch of two passers-by-wearing colourful pink, yellow and blue clothes.
Watercolour and Pen sketch
of two passers-by




to bunches of flowers in an honesty bucket...
Sketch of the Eden Wild
honesty bucket. The flowers
were lovely (and therefore kept
disappearing...)




Everything moves, all the time....And sometimes disappears altogether, if you dawdle.

 Which means that the increased sketching speed, though exhilarating, also exposes any weaknesses that need improvement.

For example, it turns out that a weeping willow tree only looks like a weeping willow if its fronds are in motion, which am not at all sure I can capture...yet.


Really rough pen and watercolour weeping willow sketch in lots of different greens...
Really rough pen and watercolour
weeping willow sketch...





5. Don't sketch in midday summer sun...

Unless you actually want everything to look parched and bleached out, like my attempt at sketching the deer-park...


Rough sketch of the bleached out deer park at midday..
Rough sketch of the bleached out deer park at midday..




and 


6. You don't need a big art kit. 

I had been worried that my art kit was too small, as I took only a home-made sketchbook (see video below) a waterproof black pen, a sheet of kitchen towel,  a small box of Inktense paints (yup, that's an affiliate link, because as you'll know if you've been here before, I love Derwent Inktense paints) and a medium sized Pentel waterbrush (also an affiliate link...also a trusted favourite).

In fact, I was really grateful not to have to lug anything more around. So in the end, art kit size was about the only thing about the day that I'd got right in advance.😂😂😂😂😂


Sketch of a double sycamore seed in wqatercolour line and wash-the seeds are pale brown, with green knubs at one end.
A double sycamore seed just landed in front of me
(so obviously had to be sketched!).





And the extra "bit" from the title is...

That it's a *lot* harder to make those "sketchbook flip-through" videos that you see online than you might think.

Or at least, I found it so, on this first attempt. But if you want to see the actual sketchbook, (complete with jerky footage, plenty of fingers over the lens,  and yes, even many accidentally-upside-down shots)... I've included it here

NB. If you watch this, it might be easiest on a phone as then at least you can turn things right-way up. Motion-sickness pills are also advised ;-). 

But for comedy-value if you've had a bad day...Here is my first ever (unedited) flip-through video attempt...


First-ever Sketchbook Flip-through
Watch for Comedic Value Only...


Finally...

Above all though,  I'd say...If you're even curious about sketching outside...Please don't wait five years like I did. Please just...Take the plunge and do it.

That's all for now. Thanks so much for being here, and for reading down this far.

More soon.

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Friday, 14 August 2026

A Bit Of Peacock Alchemy...

Image is a rectangular mixed-media watercolour, pen work and a bit of every other drawing media blue peacock, with a gold-painted frame around it.
"Peacock Alchemy"
Mixed Media Art Journaling

Hello there 

Hope all's well with you (and that you're surviving the heat, if you have it in your part of the world too).

Here, the woozy heat has had me physically art journaling instead of tied to tech.

Believe it or not, this piece began its life as a serious of black, dark grey and indigo blobs. (They were  result of an online workshop with the warm and wonderful artist and facilitator Elizabeth Foley. Huge thanks, Elizabeth).

I guess, after the workshop, some would have left the blobs as a memorial to the friend they were grieving.

But, I just...couldn't. It seems it simply isn't in me to leave things looking dark or broken, when there's even a possibility that they might, somehow, be transformed.

Somewhere in the blobs, I thought I could see a peacock. Bearing in mind that I never usually work this way at all, turning those blobs in a peacock felt ultra-transformative...Liberating and lightening, all in one go. And I love the resulting peacock with all my heart.

Given that the friend whose grief precipitated this was himself a force for transformation, joy, and the uplifting of others, I hope that he'd approve too. (And yes, I sent the peacock to his equally wonderful and amazing wife first, before even posting here).

Here's to healing and transformation for everyone, and everything feeling in need of it.

More soon-most likely on a *much* lighter theme.

Wednesday, 29 July 2026

New August in the Sand Illustration Free Download

The image shows a digital watercolour sandy beach, blue sea, waves and blue sky. The word "August" has been written in the sand on the beach.

"August in the Sand" by Clare Walker, is
free download at this link



Hello there

Hope all is well and safe wherever you are in the world. And also I know that it's already July 29th as I'm delivering this, "August in the Sand",  illustration for you to enjoy and/or download and use, *and* that it's far from summer, or a beach situation, in many places.

But if the vibe of relaxing and re-balancing  with the calm of the sea resonates with you, then this August illustration is yours to use in many different ways (see my angel policy for details)

I created this image originally at 300dpi and A4 size.  My current  blog software compresses images, so you probably won't be able to download it at that size, but should be great for printing at a small size, or on-screen use.

(And yes, one of my aims for the month is to solve this image-size and download issue one way or the other, once and for all. Which-as well as the heat- is why this is a short-but-sweet newsletter and blog post).

For now though, as ever, thanks so much for being here, and there will be...

More soon.


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Wednesday, 22 July 2026

New Keys to Joy...

The image is a hand drawn and painted rectangle in very brigh shades of pink, gold and orange. the hand-scripted and lettered message in black reads "Keep Finding New Keys to Joy"
Keep Finding New Keys to Joy


Well, I'm back, as promised, with an update (and sooo many thanks to the people who got in touch saying that this is a good thing, in one way or another).

And as you'll see, the new art that's emerged during the break (and is still emerging) is very, very different to the old. But now I'm used to the bright shock of it, am loving it, which is a great start.

Where this will all go, I really don't know at the  moment. (Though I did have a peek at how it looks on a few things, and specially enjoyed it on this greeting card).

Image shows a greeting card front, on which the words keep finding new keys to joy are hand scripted, against a vibrant watercolour background of pink, orage gold and white dots, brush strokes and splashes.
Keep Finding New Keys to Joy Greeting Card



But more than anything, it's lovely to be back in the land of colour and joy. And even lovelier that you're there with me.

Next step is to let this new style tell me where it wants to go. I'll update you as soon as I know myself.

Thanks so much for being here.

More soon.

Thursday, 2 July 2026

Rudbeckia-And a Summer Break

The image is a square watercolour of a yellow rudbeckia flower (yellow petals with a black cente) amongst green plants, and the words "Just keep dDoing the Best You Can in white hand-lettering in the corner.
This yellow Rudbeckia flower,
which I've painted in digital watercolour,
 was growing in a park we visited recently.



Hello there

Hope you're doing well out there, in heat (if you have it/have had it) or whatever else life has in store for you at the moment.

Here, it's a strange season, for reasons well beyond the heat (though with so much else going on in the world, the Computer Man and I both still very much realise the extent of our good fortune-we, in ourselves, and together, are fine).

What it does mean is that it's time for a blogging break here. Not just because of "events," but also...After over 700 posts, (and therefore-yikes-nearly 15 years of this blog)...I need to take some time, not just to re-charge, but also to re-think, and re-align myself.

And it is a very different self from the one who started on the "Can I, of all the artistically-challenged people, really learn to draw?" exploration all those years ago.

Yes, I've answered that question. Yes, I can definitely draw, paint, cartoon, create cards, design patterns and more, both traditionally and digitally. And so, by the way, can anyone else who really wants to do so.

If nothing else, I, and this blog, are living proof that it isn't inborn talent, but a huge degree of desire, which makes the difference, and keeps you practising happily enough, for long enough, to get to your own point of, "Yes, I can do this."

But with the original question answered, the new ones that have been whispering for a while are, "What's next?,"  and even the old chestnut of, "Is any of this helping the wider world enough?"

On a less navel-gazing note, at the moment, it feels very much though, like more cartoons may be involved... Because, isn't life serious enough already?

And so...

And so, as you can see, it's time for a re-alignment, a re-think, and a re-jig. Wish me luck, and thanks so much for being here.

As soon as there's more than that solidly in place, I promise to let you know.

In the meantime, take good care of yourselves out there, and have a great summer.

Clare


Update on July 22nd 2026: It turned out that the re-jig didn't take that long, and the blog continues (yay!). Tap or click here to read the next post now.
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Friday, 26 June 2026

New-A Whimsical Summer Meadow Gif

The image is a digital watercolour, and shows a sky and green, to which is added in each frame various grasses, swathes of meadow flowers, a flying butterfly, and the word "Summer" in hand-scripted white in the sky.
Blooming Summer Meadow Gif
Tap or click here to download and share


Hello there

Hope all is well with you where you are. Here, it's most definitely summer, and here's an animated gif that celebrates that, with blooming flowers and a happy butterfly.

 (You're welcome to download and share it if you'd like-please just keep the watermark in. It's already at a small size.  Links back always appreciated, but never required).

Also, as befits summer, I'm keeping this brief, and maybe popping in here a little less than usual over the next few weeks.

In the meantime, thanks so much for being here. Stay cool if you're in the heat, and there'll still be...

More soon, from here.

__________________________

Thursday, 18 June 2026

Free Happy Solstice Graphic-No Matter Where You Live

The image shows an illustrated circle. In the top half is a sunny, green, daylight watercolour scene. In the bottom half is a magical starry indigo night sky scene, The word Happy is in handwritten letterin in the top half in black, and Solstice is in the same script in gold on the bottom half.

Free Happy Solstice (Combined Summer and Winter Circular Illustration)
by Clare Walker, BoundingSquirrel.Com
Tap or click here to download and use.



Hello there

As I type this, going to be the Solstice on Sunday. How can we be that far through the year already?!

But as we are, it's time to unveil a graphic I've been wanting to create for ages, but never quite worked out how best to do it simply...Until now. 

Finally, it's here. The Happy Solstice illustration that works just as well (and I hope, just as fairly) whether it's currently (approaching) the Summer or the Winter Solstice wherever you are.

Please do feel free to tap/right-click/click here (depending on your device), or on the image itself to download and use in any Solstice-related projects at any time.

And yes, as ever, credit is always appreciated, but never required. (Full terms of use are here).

However, as this particular illustration has been soooo long-promised, if you use this and could possibly find a way to link back to this post, please

that would be absolutely magical.

I'll leave that with you. Enjoy using this image in any event, and have a great week.



Thursday, 11 June 2026

A New Father's Day Card You Can Print...




This image shows the watercolour illustrated card front, in which the bear bad at at DIY has tools and a bandage, and the bear bad at cooking is burning something in a pan...
"Absolute Best at Being A Dad Card"
by BoundingSquirrel at Zazzle


Hello there

Hope all's well with you.

Unbelievably, (given that Father's Day in lots of the world is a full 10 days way, as I type) I'm sending this post as a "last call" for 21st June 2026 Father's Day.

But if you still have to even think about it, then fear not, as the card above (which is soooo much cuter in close-up...tap or click here to see) can also be downloaded and printed for you to give to the recipient.

And just in case you think that it seems a little harsh, bear in mind, that all the text is fully editable, and that the inside, by the default you can see below, also says..."But you are the ABSOLUTE BEST at being a Dad...Happy Father's Day!"


Image shows the editable text inside the card. The font looks whimsical, and the wording is: "But you are the ABSOLUTE BEST at being a Dad...Happy Father's Day!"
Inside the "Absolute Best at Being A Dad Card...


Other options too...

Yes, if you've been here before, you have probably guessed that I'm going to include him again in my list ('cos I really do love him...) the "Bear on a Bicycle," is printable too...


As are the majority of cartoon cards in my CartoonsbyClare store. And whilst none of the cards in there are for Father's Day specifically, most are editable.

So, if for example, you need a "bowls themed Father's Day card", you could simply Edit the "Happy Birthday" section on this card...




and get a funny downloadable printable card right away.


Other cartoons of mine there that might fit a Father's day bill also involve: seabirds, cricket, golf/potholes, and more...


Finally

I hope this has given you the inspiration you need if the deadline for sending a card to your Dad is looming.

And if Father's Day is a bit of a trigger for you, I do get it, being not that many years from loss there myself. However, I decided in the end that it wasn't very honouring of great dads in general to give up on designing for them.

Besides, drawing bears and other fatherly creatures is so. much. fun...:-)

Equally though, I can absolutely reassure you that the topic will be a different one next week.

In the meantime, thanks so much for being here, and have a great week.



Thursday, 4 June 2026

Cute Pink Roses - And (Also) the Bear Rides Again...

The picture shows a selectionof home decor items, all made out of a bright pink rosey chintz fabric, with green leaves, stalks and speckles.
"Watercolour Chintzy Roses" available on fabric, 
home décor and more at Spoonflower.


Hello there

Hope all's been well with you these last couple of weeks. But as time rather ran away with me last week, this newsletter is (I hope!) a double bill of joy and news.

First things first. The bright and gorgeous chintzy rose floral fabric you see in the picture above is now available at Spoonflower. In the end, it was this (based on my own hand-painted rose motifs) that I've also decided to submit for their "Chintz Revival", contest (which you can vote in here, if you'd like).

And in utterly unrelated news: Father's Day is Coming Up on June 21st...

A fact which led me to realise that  a) I haven't offered nearly enough designs on this topic for you, and b) a certain bear on a bicycle with balloons from previous posts might just be perfect for this purpose too.


Well, it seems like he really has found his niche, and he's available to buy (as a printed card or a download that you print and give as you like-handy if the deadline is looming a bit for you as you read this).


You can personalise the message on the front and the wording inside the card as much as you like (or remove it completely). So in fact, this is a cycling bear that can please people year-round, if you want.


Finally

As ever, thanks so much for reading down this far. There'll be more news on cards in upcoming posts. (I've missed doing them for you soooo much).

In the meantime, have a lovely week, and thanks so much for being here.

More soon.

Thursday, 21 May 2026

New Design: Sweet Little White Flowers (With An Unlikely Beginning)


Image shows a design with a sag green background, and random trialing white painted flowers dotted allover it.
Pretty White Trailing
 Clematis Flowers Design


Hello there

Yes, I'm back from the land of scheduled posts and holiday, to a something-like-posting-more-normally, pace. 

Yes, there was inspiration aplenty in the Lake District (if you're reading this from outside the UK, that's waaay northwest of London, near to Scotland, and the place most associated with such luminaries as Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth, if that helps).

Was it inspiring? Absolutely, eg in the pattern above (and the new-look logo and "BoundingSquirrel" labelling, if you're interested/eagle-eyed about such things).

Inspiring then, yes...

But not just in the ways you might imagine...

For example, anyone familiar with the area might assume that my first inspiration back came from the Lake District, came from, oooh, I don't know...A lake, perhaps? :-)

There were plenty to choose from, after all. (The photo below is of a tiny part of Coniston Water, with thanks to The Computer Man for his excellent photography skills).


Image shows a lakeshore in sunshine, with puffy white clouds and a towering fell in the background.
Photo of Coniston Water


But it seems like the art fairy of inspiration doesn't quite work like that. No, she has much more of a sense of humour.

The real inspiration for that floral design is in this photo:

the phot sho shows some quite scraggly but pretty  wild white flowers, with the concrete, litter and 5G pole evidence that they are by a petrol statiion
Wild white daisies and clematis flowers


Yes, people. For some reason, some wild white daisies and clematis-type flowers at the edge of a petrol station forecourt (yes, you read that correctly) were the first inspiration I took from all the beauty that is Cumbria.

No, I can't really understand it, either.

But if it led to things that look as nice as this duvet cover (shown king size, but all are available)...

Photo is a mock-up, showing the same design as described above (white painted flowers on sage green)applied to a duvet cover on a king size pine framed bed.
See the "White Trailing Flowers", design on this
duvet at Spoonflower...

Then who am I to grumble?

I'm more than happy (and humble) enough to be grateful for the inspiration, regardless of its source, and leave the insistence on high-minded inspiration to the Wordsworths of this world.

Thanks ever so much for being here, and for reading down this far.

If you're new here, please do consider signing up for my newsletter.

Have a great week. And, as ever,  there'll be...

More soon.

___________________________

Tuesday, 12 May 2026

New Design: Chintzy Roses and Bees

The design shows my pink and green watercolour "Chintzy Roses and Bees2 design in action as wallpaper in a photograph, on a wall against the corner of a kitchen.
"Chintzy Roses and Bees"- is available at Spoonflower
(Photo also courtesy of Spoonflower)


Hello there, and hope all is well with you.

Am just dropping in quickly to let you know that my new "Chintzy Roses and Bees" design is available to buy on fabric, wallpaper and home décor at Spoonflower.

It's based on an original watercolour, and designed to evoke feelings of summer in your home, with romantic roses, and the whimsical addition of bees hiding in the pattern too.

There will be much more info about this and other new designs soon. As I said, I'm just sending-(or more accurately, scheduling) this at some speed. 

For the watercolour-rose-sketch-curious-people

Image shows the original watercolour motif sketches of roses, bees and lavender.
Original rough watercolour sketches of roses, bees and lavender
by Clare Walker


If you're the kind of person who likes to see how designs develop, here's a pic of  some of the original rough watercolour sketches.

And yes, the lavender is still in the mix for later designs. Watch this space...

Even more importantly

Huge apologies if you were expecting this newsletter last week. Life is up in the air at the moment, but should be back to the usual sending pattern in a week or two.

In the meantime

In the meantime, if you like what you see of the finished wallpaper, that link to Spoonflower is here.

And in any event, thanks so much for being here, and my apologies once again.

More soon.

Friday, 1 May 2026

Here's a Free Month of May Animated Gif...


The gif shows a handlettered May, covered in green hand-drawn leaves, which burst into bloom against a brighter sky in the final frame.
If you'd like to use this "May" gif online.
tap or click here to download.
Credit and links back here are
 never required, but always appreciated


Hello there, and hope this post finds you thriving.

Over here, I seem to have fallen down a rabbit-hole. One in which, creating images for screens instead of print, just like Alice in Wonderland, I suddenly need to do everything in reverse.

The largest possible sizes in print become the smallest possible file sizes for screens, for example.

However, it is *loads* of fun.

Even more importantly, it gives me the chance to share some expressive graphics with you. Like this one, which I hope gives the feeling of "bursting into bloom," which is May at its best in these parts.

(And yes, Southern Hemisphere people, I hear you. Contact me with your thoughts about what *you*'d like to see in an equivalent image, and I'll get onto it).

Will there be more? I hope so...Thanks so much for being here, and...Happy May Day!

More soon.
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Thursday, 23 April 2026

The Toucan Returns...

The image shows visible and half-hiding toucans nestled amounst lush pink and white stargazer lilies, vibrant orange bird of paradise flowers, and lush vegetation, in a pattern with a dark background.
Please vote for this design if you use Spoonflower 

Hello there

One day, I promise I'll design something that doesn't involve our toucan friend. This isn't that day.

Note, if you're in a hurry, the upshot here is: if you use Spoonflower.com please vote for my Lilies, Toucans and Bird of Paradise tropical floral design in the latest Spoonflower competition.

Site visitors are welcome to vote too, I think. It's just that the process may be easier for those familiar with it already.


And yes...

The theme of the competition is "hot house flowers". So, I diligently drew all my lilies, found little-used (!) bird of paradise motifs on my hard drive, and spent a whole afternoon on banana and other types of palm leaf.

Image is a lo-res version of the original scan of the lilies in line and wash watercolour.
A peek at some of the "work whilst it was in progress,"
for this tropical floral project.



Then I noticed that the more fulsome instructions for designers said, "Consider including tropical animals."

So obviously, our extrovert toucan friend from a few weeks ago was a shoe-in for a spot of tweaking and inclusion.

And whether or not this design wins amongst the many other simply amazing ones (if you're reading this during the competition window, you'll have a lush and exotic time just looking at all the gorgeous entries, I promise).

The new "maximalist", style in the air at the moment might not be to everyone's taste, but I'm loving the colours, the richness and the joy of it.

Plus...

Even if you're reading this way after the competition (which closes around May 5th 2026, I believe), this is a surprisingly livable design, even at scale, despite all those bright and tropical colours. Eg, if we had stairs, I think I'd enjoy seeing the design beside them.

The image is a photo, showing the same design described above, but this time on wallpaper, beside a staircase.
Find this design on wallpaper at Spoonflower





Finally...

Whether or not you vote in this, thanks so much for reading down this far, and for being here. It means the world.

The next newsletter is more likely to come out around the beginning of May. But there will be...

More soon.

Thursday, 16 April 2026

Lots of Blossoming, and a Sale...

A watercolour of a blossom tree and the hand-lettered wording, "It's time to blossom".
It's Time to Blossom...


Hello there

Despite everything going on in the world, here, we're lucky enough to be experiencing all the joy, and the feeling of unstoppable blossoming, that the spring brings with it. So, I just had to capture that in a digital watercolour in Krita (the result of which is above).


Not even just blossom...

It isn't just blossom. During my time off, there were sooo many parks and gardens that suddenly seemed full of flowers, sunshine and hope, as if the world had gone from grey to colour in just days.

Here's a selection of the gorgeous spring inspiration that we (well, OK, mostly The Computer Man) managed to photograph since I was last writing to you...(I love the sleeping duck, too...)


There are 9 photos, each appearing as if against a corkboard, in a grid. the flowers photod vary from wisteria, camelia and bluebells to we think, periwinkles.
Hope you can feel some spring from these photos...



And it even goes even further...

There's also been joy and blossoming of a different kind here, as a family member has received so much benefit from this course for adults who stammer that they participated in a live story-telling event this week, in front of 150 people.

(And yes, you're right. This is waaaay off-topic for an art blog. But I very much wanted to give a shout-out to such an important resource, in the hope that it can benefit others as well). 


Last but not least, there's a sale...

Firmly back in the world of illustration again, I'm delighted to let you know that there's a sale on all my items at Redbubble from April 16th-20th 2026. How that works in practice and different time-zones etc is up to Redbubble, So if you're reading this close to the time it's written, now's the time to visit my shop.

Personally, I'm eyeing up more stickers (they're so useful for sending to others to make cards etc a bit more special) such as  last week's toucan, my ever-popular, "bear-hug" design, and of course, this week's encouraging cherry blossom...

Image is a photo of a sticker, bearing the same blossom design as was described in the first image.
It's Time to Blossom Sticker
Click or tap here to buy on Redbubble


And with that said (thank you so much for reading down this far, and for being here). I shall leave you to your week. May it blossom for you too, in whatever way will give you the things you most love.

More soon.
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Thursday, 2 April 2026

The Tale of an Encouraging Toucan...

Image shows a painted toucan illustraiton, the toucan has a bright orange beak, and is surrounded by green palm leaves. the Phrase" You, Too, Can Do this, stands out in white against a mottled Blue background.
Want to encourage yourself
(or someone else) with this toucan?
Tap or click here...

Hello there

And as ever, I hope you're well and flourishing in these crazy times.

Here, I had so many " Spring wildflower" intentions for you. And this post is the tale of how they got overtaken, by a toucan.

He (and he is a he, because, as I found out, they seem to have have brighter beaks and feet than the females), came flapping into my mind, full of life and joy, about a week ago.

Apart from checking online how many toes toucans have, and their beak size relative to their bodies (answer: huge) this image is pretty much that which I "saw" in my mind's eye from that first evening...Which definitely doesn't always happen. :-).


At first...

At first, I thought this was an entirely private thing, great for sending a boost to a friend. then, as this bird absolutely wouldn't leave my mind, on he went onto some products to inspire and cheer.



This image is the same as the one described above only at a smaller size and on a fridge, as a magnet.
Here he is on a fridge magnet...



This image is a photo of the same inspiring toucan quote, but on a horizontal greeting card.
Being great on a greeting card...




Image is a Photo of a tote bag bearing the same inspiring toucan image
And absolutely rocking it
on a tote bag...



But when he still wouldn't leave my thoughts, I modified this image, and a new toucan pattern was born. So if you're up for happy toucans on, for example, a mug, or cushion/throw pillow, here they are.




In this photo, toucans similar to the one in the original image are "dancing " in a pattern with palm leaves against a blue speckled background. Here, the pattern is applied on two mugs on a wooden shelf.
Happy toucans on multiple mugs...


This image is a photo of a cushion or throw pillow, bearing the same design as described on the mugs above, The cushoin is on a grey sofa or couch, and looks very vibrant there.





So...


So, adorable cute and joyous though he undoubtedly is, this is one toucan that clearly wants to multiply, and bring as much joy to people as he can. If he floats your boat, please make him happy too, and grab some toucan joy here.


Finally...

As you can imagine, the "problem" of having an unexpectedly happy toucan is an absolutely excellent one to have. But if you're craving considerably smaller birdy/ easter type designs, if you tap or click here, you should find a selection of all my previous offerings on that theme.

I'm not sure whether they'll be a post next week-it's more likely to be the week after.

(Update on April 9th: Yes, the next post will be on or around April 16th. But if you need even more toucan joy until then, this toucan has joined friends and made his way onto fabric...




this image shows a wafting layer of happy toucan fabric (the toucans are 2dancing2 against a pale blue sky whilst standing on palm leaves).
Happy Toucan Fabric,
available on Spoonflower.Com

But in any event, and whether or whatever you're celebrating or not at the moment, I wish you lots of joy (whether toucan-related or not) and send you huge love and thanks for being here.

More soon.

P.S To get details of new posts by email, please join the newsletter here. Many thanks.

And a PPS update on June 4th 2026. You just can't keep a happy toucan down, can you? Here he is on a new encouragement card at Zazzle...



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