Happy New Year!

Well, 2020 is finally here…

So everything got a little busy towards the end of 2019, so I just wanted to fill you in on what’s been going on, and my plans and goals for 2020! Christmas is over, the New Year hangover has faded and it’s back to work.

I took on a year long contract with Paignton Zoo just before Christmas, I am working there part time for the next 12 months in their design studio. I started 2 weeks before Christmas and will be working on a few different projects over the year at Paignton Zoo, Newquay Zoo and Living Coasts. So far, it’s been lovely getting to know the other designers and artists and having a look round the zoo, and it’s definitely the first job I have ever had where I walk past a flock of flamingos every morning!

I managed to get some new products on Sunshine and Shenanigans, and I have many more ideas for this in the New Year. I really enjoyed the lettering challenge I did this year, and I plan to expand and learn on these skills. I am hoping to do more work based on lettering and calligraphy this year, and have a new challenge planned (more about that later). I am getting married this year, so I’ll document my work on this – invitations and signage etc, and some new bits inspired by this for the store.

I have the Devon Carers magazine editions for 2020 – the first is underway already, more work for Ron Campion Furnishers, and Essential Oils Direct. I have a big branding project this month which I’ve just started, and hopefully some new projects later in the year.

This May is my 10 year anniversary of being a freelancer, I have a few things planned, a few little pieces of work that I hope to get done to celebrate. 10 years as a freelancer is a long time…!

So, finally, my challenge this year… one project a day, however small, was hard work. I found it difficult to commit that the with work, a small child, other commitments etc. so I thought I’d cut myself a bit more slack this year! My plan is to come up with a piece of lettering artwork, once a week, either hand drawn, digital, painted, whatever takes my fancy. There will be a loose theme of celebration, so each one will be based on a holiday, event or festival over the year. My first one will be next week – 07/01 – 13/01, and there will hopefully be one a week after that. I really enjoyed doing this last year, but as I said, found it hard work to do every day, so I thought this would be a better option!

A lot going on – so I’m going to sign off now and get cracking… Happy New Year!

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