A Season of renewal - February newsletter
Where Winter Ends, Spring Begins
I write to you tucked away in my studio, as the rain hits the windows. It’s hard to remember when it hasn’t been constantly raining...then I’m reminded that deep in the earth, the buds of spring have been growing all winter, getting ready to sprout and shine. It brings me some hope!!
I’ve been a little like those spring buds — tucked up in my studio, working away quietly out of sight.
So let’s dive in . . . .
What’s On My Drawing Board?
Specsavers - Children’s Short Story Competition with the An Post Awards
🚨 Strictly Confidential 🚨
Away in my studio, this is what I have been working on - it’s highly confidential, so I cant actually share any of the artwork or stories yet. Here is a peek at last year’s winning stories and how I brought them to life with my pencil.
It’s wonderful to read through the stories, seeing the world through children’s eyes. I’m always a little anxious waiting to get the stories, the anticipation of what I will have to draw (and in a tight turnaround) but it really gets my creativity flowing, with no time to self doubt and just jump in!
Specsavers Children's Story Competition winners 2025, Lina Ayala & Ava Hickey along with brand ambassador Georgie Crawford
It’s a real privilege to collaborate with Specsaver’s once again and I’m excited to share the winning stories next month!
Irish Guild of Illustrators
I was absolutely delighted to receive the news earlier this month that I’ve been accepted into the Irish Guild of Illustrators -Illustrators Ireland. Having strong networks in business has always been invaluable to me, I’ve been part of the Association of Illustrators for the past eight years, and now being part of a creative community here in Ireland now feels really special.
In Wedding News: The Wedding Illustrator
As many of you may know, I also create live illustrations at weddings — attending the celebrations and drawing guest portraits as lasting keepsakes. It’s always a quieter time of year for weddings themselves, but it’s very much awards season in the industry.
Last week, I attended the National Wedding Industry Awards with WeddingSuppliers.ie, where I was honoured to be a finalist for Wedding Entertainment of the Year. While I didn’t come home with the award, I had a wonderful evening connecting with industry colleagues and enjoying the incredible music (Yes, Mickey Joe Hart Niamh Kavannagh & Mark McCabe) and entertainment on the night.
Congratulations to all of the winners — such a fantastic celebration of the talent within the industry.
What’s drawing me in
What I’m listening to:
I’m still obsessed with Irish Crime podcast “Lines of Enquiry”
but I’m also listening to the Disney Institute History Podcast, where I’m listening to a series about the life and art of Mary Blair. I love hearing about her approach to design and colour!!
What I went to see:
This week, I went to see To Kill A Mockingbird in the Bord Gais theatre. Ive always loved this book and wow it was fantastic to see it come alive on stage.
What I’m enjoying:
For Christmas, my husband got me these wonderful 3D bug kits from the treasure throve that is Duffy’s Toyworld, and I’m enjoying making them!
That’s all folks
The rain continues to fall, but that’s ok I’ve plenty of things to do here at here in my studio.
That’s all for now. I hope to report back in March
Linda x
