That’s a wrap – 2021 art review
It’s the last day of 2021 and having spent the time in between Christmas and the New Year reflecting and planning, it feels appropriate to dedicate this blog post to looking back over the year that has passed and also looking ahead to plans for 2022.
The most important thing for me to start with is a heartfelt thank you. Your ongoing support is just amazing and truly means the world. Through reading my blog posts; signing up to my newsletter mailing list; liking, sharing and commenting on my social media posts; sending me words of encouragement; commissioning me and buying my artwork to have in your own homes – it is so lovely to have you with me on this art journey and is something that I never take for granted.
Your purchases of my wildlife artwork has also helped to support vital conservation work this year as I have donated 10% of sales to the fabulous People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), whom I will be continuing to partner with in 2022.
The year in review:
Wildlife drawings:
January began with my elephant drawing. I really loved working on this piece, which was a change from rendering fur. All of that detail was amazing to work on and I really felt like I understood these beautiful animals a whole lot better through the process.
I then went on to complete a couple of landscape ‘postcard’ drawings, a stag beetle ‘postcard’ drawing and a drawing of the charming puffin.
Next on the wildlife front is to complete a peregrine drawing, over the coming weeks, before turning my attention to a brand new wildlife drawing – I can’t wait.
Pet portrait commissions:
I’ve had the opportunity to work on some amazing pet portrait commissions this year too. It’s always special to draw a beloved animal family member.
I hope you’ve enjoyed following my work-in-progress updates of each of these on my Instagram and Facebook pages.
I’m excited to see what gorgeous subjects I will have to draw this coming year.
New art series:
2021 has seen the fruition of a personal project that I have been wanting to work on for a while now – my nature folk art series.
I’ve always been utterly captivated by the intangible magic of the natural world and this series seeks to embody that through the artwork and the accompanying poem.
To date I have added blackbird, hare, red deer, badger and barn owl to the series. Otter is soon to join them and I have a number more that I am looking forward to creating over the coming year.
Fine art prints:
I have ended the year by bringing the production of my fine art prints in-house. After a lengthy process of learning about fine art printing, refining printing profiles and choosing an environmentally friendly, archival quality paper, I am delighted to be able to add my popular wildlife prints back into my shop.
I have also added a few more designs and products to my gift range in 2021, including my elephant herd and puffin drawings.
Overall, despite all of the ongoing challenges of the current circumstances, there have certainly been a lot of positive moments this year and I am really looking forward to building on these going forwards into the new year. I hope that you have also been able to find moments of magic in 2021.
Have a wonderful New Year and I wish you all the very best for the year ahead. Many thanks once more for your support.