During lockdown 2020/2021 I decided to design some colouring in sheets to send out to local children while they were locked down at home.

I decided to make them into Art Kits including art materials and other little treats.

My partner then delivered them to the addresses by hand, to save anyone leaving their homes.

I designed the colouring in sheets based on my ‘Postcard series’ I wanted to keep it fun while also sending out an uplifting message of hope and optimisim.

The option for children to then send them out to loved ones they had not seen for a long time was also a design feature.

After the first lock down, I received requests for the colouring sheets from people not living locally. So I created a smaller version of the art kits to be sent by post to anyone that wanted one. They ended up being sent all over the country.

I have always believed that art is a powerful way to reach children and help them express themselves. It can help to give them a safe and relaxing space to be, where there is no right and no wrong.

Children seem to be naturally drawn to bright colours and this is generally beacause they just make people feel good!

We displayed as many pictures as we could in the gallery and on a video. It was great to see so many.

During Lockdown 2021, I designed a colouring in sheet and art kit based on love. I also painted a watercolour called Rainbow bird which was made into a postcard. We sent them out before and around the date of Valentine’s day so that children could complete them and give them to loved ones.

Organising this project during Lockdown was important to me because of I have been supported by my local community for over 25 years, since I opened my first basement gallery and I have never taken that for granted.

People have been very grateful for the kits and have enjoyed receiving and sending them on. A great result and a year long project well worth doing.