Last Monday I was pinged by the NHS app and told to self isolate, it was annoying timing as my partner was going to be off work for a few days and we were planning on having a few little adventures - since moving home in June we’ve been so busy with unpacking and decorating that we’ve hardly explored our new town together or spent much quality time together as a family.

I took a rapid lateral flow test which came back negative and then after sulking for a bit I decided to turn being housebound into a positive by getting my pens out.

A few weeks ago I was invited to exhibit with Chalk’s Gallery in Lymington in their exhibition Art Alchemy set to take place in September. I agreed to take part but hadn’t had the time to get started on the work to be exhibited, being told to stay at home for 10 days with my partner home to share caring for our toddler was the kick I needed to stop procrastinating.

I decided to make work inspired by landscape in the New Forest as this is where the gallery is based. I scrolled through the hundreds of photographs I have from day trips over the years and settled on some beautiful woodland scenes. I made two detailed drawings in the style of my woodland studies series, focusing on the sparkling dappled light and tiny natural details.

I’m out of isolation now and my partner is back to work so the duty of caring for our little boy is solely mine again, which means drawing is relegated to an hour at nap time if I’m lucky and evenings once he’s gone to bed. I will make two more pieces to be displayed at the gallery alongside the two ‘Brockenhurst’ drawings.

Brockenhurst I, 21cm x 14.9cm, pen on paper

Brockenhurst II, 21cm x 14.9cm, pen on paper

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