The Company of Hens
As people rushed to the supermarkets and stock piled on essentials (and quite a few non-essentials), it became clear that the Covid 19 virus was making its way to the UK. I suddenly found myself without food. I responded by planting seeds ... beans, peas, beetroot, radishes and kale, converting my porch into a greenhouse. Not having been able to get eggs for a week, I tracked down and brought home, three, very lively hens ...
Solitude is Sweet!
As I write this the social and economic landscape of the world is changing at break-neck speed. At times it feels like you're on the edge of a cliff that's slipping away right in front of you. And then you see the blue sky and consider that this is nature telling us all to slow down and do things differently. Nature is telling us to stay safe by staying put!
Retail Therapy in Exmouth
A couple of weeks ago I spent a lovely Saturday afternoon in the company of Pete's Dragons, a charity and lovely retail space in the centre of my home town, Exmouth. The team at Pete's Dragons support families who have experienced loss through the suicide of a loved one...
Yoga Desert Detox
It's Valentines Day today and for many our focus is on acting out the romantic cliche of love, be it giving chocolates, flowers or even a ring to someone special in our lives. We often forget to show some love to ourselves throughout the year but last month, after working intensively at a trade show in Las Vegas, in the middle of a cold, wet, winter, I headed on the infamous Route 66 to the desert in California in search of some self care, stopping at an iconic American diner on the way.
One Design Leads To Another ...
As part of the sales team at British, heritage souvenir manufacturer: Judge Sampson, I travel to some fascinating places to meet buyers and work with them on new designs. Recently I was at the National Trust for Scotland’s Culloden Visitor Centre in Inverness, where the Julia Gash Inverness Cityscape has been a big hit in 2019. We liked it so much, we even put it on the cover of our trade brochure!
Oh Canada ... Oh Maple!
This is Winnie from Lifestyle Market based in Toronto, Canada. Time flies….I met Julia in 2013 at New York gift fair, when she first starts her line of beautiful designer totes. Throughout this 7 years of partnership, Julia become our friend and our mentor. We see each other go through different stage of life, and we’re delighted to see both our business grow together, especially when Julia launched her travel-inspired Cityscape line in 2016.
Live Art in Las Vegas
I've just spent the last three days in Las Vegas with Team Neil, who represent my brand as part of their Varsity Line. Together we celebrate outstanding campus landmarks, fun and fabulous college traditions, marvellous mascots, super sports heroes and amazing alumni, through our creative collaboration.
It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas
Although most of my artwork is focussed on describing a specific location in my own, whimsical way, I get to draw places at different times of the year. I've drawn lots of coastal and holiday destinations, basking in the sun, as well as winter hideaways and resorts, covered in mountain snow, such as this beautiful illustration of Aviemore that I created for Visit Scotland, featuring lots of ardent skiers and snowboarders!
Meet The Artist at John Lewis
Last week I drove through a sodden South Yorkshire, on flooded country lanes, as most of the main roads were closed due to the effect of one month's rain landing in a day. I was heading back to my old home of Sheffield to carry out a live Cityscape and Meet The Artist event at John Lewis.
Girl Guiding Adventures and Artwork
When I'm not travelling around the world with my artwork (most of it is done from my studio in Devon with the help of Google and not actually on location sadly!), I'm chilling out at home or going on adventures with the Girl Guides.
Discovering America's Colleges and Universities
Over the last year I have collaborated with over 80 colleges and universities in America to create artworks that celebrate each of their cultural heritage and campus architecture. I have teamed up with a specialist manufacturer: Neil Enterprises based in Chicago, who turn my artwork into beautiful product such as natural, canvas tote bags, ceramic and tin mugs, water bottles, homewares and stationery.
It's A Man's World ... But Not for Long
Last week I headed up to Manchester where I was keynote speaker at the Forward Ladies Regional Business Awards. As an alumni of the business support women’s group: Forward Ladies, I’ve been to many such events over the years, having won several awards and made friends with fellow, female entrepreneurs.
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