Hello!

Welcome to my newsletter! And Happy Easter to all who celebrated!

I am so glad the sun is finally out (even if there are still a few showers about). With that in mind I can’t help but choose ‘Spring’ as the theme for this month’s newsletter.

These new monthly emails will only appear in your inbox once a month, on the first day. I will share my Art Adventures, talk creativity and update you on my artistic journey. To make sure you don’t miss out on any emails you might want to add me to your contacts.

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With those boring bits covered lets move onto some art talk…

March Art Adventure: Dartmoor Shepherd’s Hut

My art is very influenced by my surroundings and the places I visit. This is why I find it so important to take monthly Art Adventures.

This month I ventured up to Dartmoor to stay in a beautiful little Shepherd’s hut, not far from Michelcombe. It had no Wi-Fi and very limited signal, so it was a proper little retreat. I spent 3 happy days hiking and drawings by the fire.

I have visited Dartmoor National Park before but have not had the chance to explore the great variety in landscape until now. In just a few hours of walking we crossed moorlands covered with yellow gorse, vast woodlands, and streams with stepping stones.

A few of my favourite discoveries were the Sherberton Stepping Stones and Newbridge (a very impressive old stone bridge with balconies, that you could easily imagine trolls living underneath).

But what caught my imagination most of all, was a strange little cluster of gorse bushes up on the moors near Holne. The way they had grown together created a cave like shelter. Which inspired the poem and drawing below.

Cave of Gorse

Sheltered in a cave of swirling gorse,

among the misty moors.

Escaping the giant’s angry mumble,

She curls upon a bed of thorns.

The yellow buds of Spring,

Like stars in the night sky.

The strong twisting branches engulf her,

Much like a mother’s loving arms.

Too soon has the storm passed,

And she must venture on.

Finding her next shelter a new.

Studio Update

Throughout March my focus, in the studio, has been on form and composition. Inspired by the emerging plant life and spring, I found Folk Art very topical. Looking at artworks by traditional folk artists like Maud Lewis and Alfred Wallis, for reference. I love the simple everyday scenes almost appearing “flat” with their naive use of shape.

If you want to know more about Folk Art I found this website really interesting – Folk Art

It has been really freeing to focus on single images too, rather than sequence and repetition. When I am illustrating for a book, I am careful to almost “match” elements for each page. For example, consistent characters and colour pallets. Or leaving space for text.

When creating a one-off collage, I can play with bold colours and prominent textures! Adding any aesthetic features I fancy… Here are a few collages I have created over March. Hope you enjoy.

Shop Update!

Don’t forget to check out my shop. Lots of quirky cards and artwork available to purchase!

Visit my shop here!!!

Thank you so much for reading my newsletter and supporting my artwork.

Lots of love

Emily

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Email: emily.luke@btinternet.com

Website: www.emilylukeillustration.com

Instagram: @emily_lukeillustration

Pinterest: @Emily Luke