All through 2025 people asked, How’s the art going? And I would smile and say,“Oh, it’s a bit on the side this year.” Because we had moved house Rooms full of boxes and echoing with to-do lists. I had to work more hours. Everything left given to family Life was full and I thought there was no space left. On the side, I said,as if art were a coat hung patiently behind the door, waiting for a quieter season. But what I meant (though I didn’t quite realise it) was that it wasn’t being shared...

Most people find a brand new sketchbook or a blank canvas intimidating. There are several techniques for overcoming this e.g. scribble all over the paper to create a background to work into, or avoid using the first page of a sketchbook. Another way, that I have been exploring recently, is to make a junk journal. This is essentially making a sketchbook using different kinds of paper from different places. You end up with a sketchbook that isn’t perfectly created to begin with so it is less...

Last year I decided that I wanted to be involved in more collaborative art activities. Why? Well, I have had several years to explore and...