I recently completed work on my first children’s picture book for publishers Little Pink Dog Books. It is a highlight in a time where the world is being forced to stop and take stock. A time for us all to reflect on what we have created and how much we have inflicted on our planet. Lockdown or isolation is not an unusual situation for creatives to find themselves. By the nature of our work, we most often work in isolation.
I guess, the fact that we can’t really go out into the world if we choose is the kicker at present. But I hope we all emerge with greater compassion and empathy for the world around us and every living creature in it.
A watershed moment for me, publication of this book has brought me full circle in realising a lifelong ambition. I have been fortunate to be able to make a living from the graphic design field, my heart, however, has never been truly connected. As a young artist, I began my journey immersed in canvas and oil paint, but very quickly realised that I needed to diversify if I was to survive in the economic buzz of the early 1980s.
I chose design as a career at a time when it required great artistic and artisan capability. Long before computer software and digital processes began to chip away at these skills. At the time, this satisfied my creativity and general curiosity. I dabbled briefly in illustration work for YA publishing and kept my artistic self content with painting and photography on the side.
As the digital revolution emerged, I embraced all its benefits, slowly replacing hard-honed manual skills.
I did, and still do, view computers and software programs as just another tool, not unlike my brushes and graphic pens. The true design skill is still the creative mind.
I grieve for the skills lost and the misguided belief that, just because you can use software makes you a good designer. But I am buoyed by the fact, that many of those manual, artisan skills are enjoying a massive resurgence. There are some amazing designers in today’s industry, but there are also a great deal who just ‘churn and burn’ as we used to say in commercial studios.
Fast-forward 30+ years and my creative soul had become well and truly battered by the day to day monotony of the modern design world. My young artist was crying for help and a raft of personal trials and upheavals created a catalyst for me to finally say enough!
By chance (and just a little social networking), my journey finally led me to free that young artist. No longer averse at revealing my creative soul to the world, I embraced her, gave her a hug and said, “we can do this girl”.
Current endeavours may not be filling the coffers, but I am truly content at where I have come to rest.
An ‘overnight success’ 40 years in the making. I am happy to see where this road takes me when we are finally able to go back out into the changed (for the better I hope) world. Stay well and keep creating.
