Homecoming is Shortlisted for the Wainwright prize for illustrated nature books!

I am absolutely thrilled that Homecoming is shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Illustrated nature books alongside so many inspiring voices. ☺️

Homecoming, written by the wonderful Melissa Harrison is more than a book - it’s a gentle invitation to reconnect with our natural world. 

I had the joy of illustrating over 80 hand-painted elements, plus a wraparound cover and patterned endpapers - all created mindfully, with deep reverence for the seasons and natural rhythms of nature. 

I hope you enjoy this post, showing some of my process. If you’re an Art Director, Editor, Author or Publisher working on nature writing, slow living, sustainability or seasonal storytelling - I’d love to hear from you.

Hand-painted watercolour illustration for Homecoming nature journal

Hope you enjoy a little peek at some of the research, sketching and painting behind the August introduction in Homecoming ☺️

There is plenty to enjoy in nature this month. Ripening fruits & vegetables, harvest season for many farms, allotments and veggie gardeners. 

I will definitely be out picking some blackberries on my next foraging adventure 

The Big Butterfly Count

The big Butterfly count is a nationwide citizen science survey. Simply count butterflies for 15 minutes during bright (preferably sunny) weather, which if you live in the UK you know is easier said than done! 😂 Then submit your sightings to bigbutterflycount.org

Butterflies and moths are vital parts of the ecosystems both pollinators and components of the food chain. Butterfly declines are also an early warning for other wildlife losses. Butterflies are key biodiversity indicators for scientists as they react very quickly to changes in their environment. Therefore, if their numbers are falling, then nature is in trouble. So tracking numbers of butterflies is crucial in the fight to conserve our natural world. That’s why taking part in this massive citizen science enterprise is of great importance not just for our butterflies but for the wider environment and biodiversity in general.

Hope you enjoy watching some of my sightings 🦋

You can take part too! Just pick your spot and watch for 15 minutes, would love to see what species are flying near you.

Finding and painting Feathers

When i find feathers on a walk, I always feel like it’s a little gift from nature. There is definitely something magical about feathers. I’ve started painting some of the ones I’ve gathered on my walks-hoping to capture their soft, fleeting beauty. Just looking at them brings a sense of calm and stillness…anyone else feel that way?

Hope you enjoy this quick time lapse reel showing the start of paining some of my feather collection. There is more detail and finishing to be be so follow me to find out how they look in the end and what they might become? I am thinking they could make a lovely delicate pattern?

Hummingbird Hawk-moth in my garden

So happy to have captured this little beauty on my very own Buddleia! It's called a hummingbird hawk-moth 😍 I had the pleasure of illustrating one for Homecoming, so was super excited to actually see one in my own garden.

Absolutely beautiful! Hope you enjoy watching my little video of it. 😊

Homecoming Longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for illustrative books.

It has been an absolute joy to illustrate Homecoming, the nature journal written by the brilliant Melissa Harrison.

Reconnecting with nature is something i care deeply about, so when first read Melissa's manuscript for Homecoming, I knew right away this journal was something special! 💖

Painting Wild Honeysuckle

Capturing some wild honeysuckle from my walk in my sketchbook, with a quick watercolour and coloured pencil study.