Welcome to the flock...

My very first substack.

Hello Friends,

I’ve been thinking about writing to you for so long. I wanted to wait until I felt like I fully understood the substack and I wanted to wait until I fully knew what I wanted to say…. But I know now that if I just keep procrastinating and don’t just dive in, I would never write to you. So here goes the perfectly un-perfect pigeon post.

I’m looking forward to sharing my creative musings and general stuff with you (Hopefully regularly). I’ve been journaling this year and I figure if I can write in a book frequently I can write a letter to you lovely folk fairly regularly too.

Where shall I start? I’m not one for small talk and I can’t wait to get into the nitty gritty of art chat with you. But I think I’d better introduce myself first….

I’m a Childrens Book illustrator living in the Kent countryside, UK.

I am mainly self-taught, although I did study graphic design at art college when I left school.

I started drawing again when my daughter was born after a 13-year gap of not drawing at all. My daughter is 11 now, and I have been earning a part-time income from my art for the last 8 years. Initially, I had an Etsy shop selling children’s wall art, and then as my skill and sheer determination (Or Stubbornness) grew I broke through into illustrating children’s books.

I do still have an etsy shop Selling Art Prints and Original paintings which you can find here:

So far I have illustrated 4 children’s books with Bloomsbury, Quarto & Little tiger:

I am super proud of all the books I have illustrated, some were made during lockdown whilst also homeschooling the kids. I won’t forget that in a hurry.

I’m a 43-year-old Mum to two kids 11 & 8 years old. (I told you my age because If you are reading this and think that perhaps you are too old to start, then let this be the message telling you loud and clear that:

“You are never too old to start”

The fantastic thing is that age does not matter in this industry. I promise you.

This year I pledged to create work honestly, using techniques that make me really happy. Being honest with myself and how I want to move forward is important to me. Being vulnerable and opening up to new things has also helped this year.

This has involved sketch booking. It’s something I’ve never been that good at. But I have been drawing more than ever and it’s now become an addictive habit. Sometimes I draw out on location, sometimes I draw from my own photos or imagination. But sometimes I mix both imagination and observation. Drawing quickly without thinking too much is a new revelation to me.

I really want to talk about this more, I promise I will soon.

Here are some recent sketchbook entries.

(Yes Pigeons again!!)

In an exciting way, I feel like I’m ‘starting again’. I’m learning and growing so much and I’m really enjoying it.

Oh yes! And I nearly forgot: TECHNIQUE; Yes, that’s something everybody is always the most interested in. And it deserves its own post soon. But I use a combination of traditional and digital media.

I have to give these amazing people a shout-out as they have really helped me to grow this year:

• The lovely people at orange break studio and their fabulous OB Evenings and workshops.

• The wonderful ladies at the Goodship Illustration and their fabulous children’s book course.

What I have learned recently:

Draw, so what if it’s terrible? Just draw.

Times are hard. Art supplies are expensive so use what you have.

As Picasso said:

“If I don’t have red I use blue”

Picasso

You can find more from me on my website:

www.heidigriffithsart.com

And I do love a bit of Instagram:

Heidi_griffiths_art

Please pop over and say hello.

Thank you so much for reading my ramblings.

Please introduce yourselves. I’m so looking forward to connecting here.

Speak soon,

Love

Heidi x