Georgie’s Adventure is a children’s novel written by Alma Gardner 2020, written for her Grand-children. The narrative surrounds a sweet kitten and his ups and downs at his new home.
I am elated to have been the illustrator for this book. It has been a joy collaborating with Alma and bringing Georgie’s adventure to life. As a cat lover, it has been a nice change focusing on the world of Georige and it has been an uplifting project to lose myself in. The novel may be the beginning of a series, and samples of the book have been printed for potential publication.
I think we can all agree it’s been a crazy year, I’ve tried to see it as the perfect time to focus on nature and down to earth activities, exercising my creativity through photography, painting, drawing, textiles and ceramics. I don’t know if it was just me, but just doing crafts like this seemed unachievable – I was so down and tired, I had to force myself to get creative. To do this, I’d gathered my energy and set up a space on my coffee table, staring at my tools I’d realise I need inspiration, I had ongoing heavy artist block. My motivation would normally come after visiting photo albums or Pinterest. Getting started was the hard part, once I had something in mind I’d be entranced all day. I think it’s really helped my wellbeing and creative state during the pandemic, it’s very soothing and great to show something for this mad time of our lives.
Lockdown Candel Holder
I made this when I didn’t know what to do with myself; I thought it would be fitting to capture that feeling in a functional sculpture.
I made this with air drying clay, it was quite challenging but also very fun to sculpt. I made each limb individally and crosshatched the joining side with a knife, added slip (clay and water) to attach. Once I had my shape I allowed to dry and smoothed with a nail file.
Painting – A Plant Series
I painted the plants on the window sill, focusing on one in particular – exploring different colours, style and mood.
Alongside painting the plant series, I managed to convince my boyfriend, Dominic to do some with me. We followed a desert painting tutorial – this was super fun, I’m so impressed with Dom’s painting, I kept glancing at his and ruining my own from overworking it, I think we can teach each other some tips!
(Mine is left, Dom’s is right)
Needle Point – Felt sculpture
I found these crafty kits in Aldi just before lockdown – I think these were my fave, so satisfying to make. Great for a lockdown craft since they’re time consuming and engaging.
The kits provided everything I needed though I bought my own set of felt needles. I found this technique theraputic; the process of stabbing the needle into felt to structurize shape is great for de-stressing, however I found it a little mentally challenging having to poke the panda repeatedly in the eye.
Lockdown Photography
I decided to produce a series of photography, focused on what lockdown looked like. Mostly cats, coffee, walks, nature.
This time really forced us to acknowledge what is important to us, what brings us happiness when we are isolated. I found the subject matters are quite mundane but almost significant in capturing some beauty in this extraordinary time.
The wonderful organisation Mitie has taken on the 17 parks challenge collecting a total of 132 bags of litter! Absolutely amazing work, Well done Mitie!
The count is in & the Mighty Mitie team @Mitie filled a fantastic 132 bags of litter whilst completing the 17 Park Challenge! What a result & the best part is the new friends made. Thanks a million @BWBuisness and team 🧤 The volunteer bag count Wythenshawe Wide in 2020 is 2,406! pic.twitter.com/m6toGeZUav
We can’t thank them enough for supporting this on what we hope is the first of many for them and other businesses in Wythenshawe. We have said the model can be rolled out Manchester, Greater Manchester wise and Nationally of groups and organisations wish to promote cleanliness in their Parks and Green Spaces. Thank-you to all involved on what was an amazing successful event. Special thanks to Brian Worrall, Faye Tikic, Cllr Mary, Grazyna Buczkowska and John O’Connor for the work behind the scenes. Well done Team Mitie!
“just to say your poster has made a difference and will continue to do so encouraging all to visit our parks. It’s wonderful that your art work can inspire others” John-Paul Coe
I am absolutely elated my poster is making a difference in cleaning up our parks and green spaces. A massive thanks to everyone participating, you’re all amazing and wonderful examples for your community!
I want to encourage all nature lovers and tidy enthusiasts to get to these parks and celebrate our beautiful green spaces through a deep clean. Together we can make a difference! – Collect a bag of litter in each park and tweet wythenshawe waste warriors @WarriorsWaste to earn yourself a special certificate!
For the last few years, catching the bus/metro-link has been like entering a life drawing studio space, I always carry my sketchbook and sharpies for impromptu life drawing sessions. These normally occur while I’m waiting, whether that’s for the bus or for my stop, giving me solid time to study and capture the fast environment surrounding me.
PASSING PORTRAITS
I enjoy my sessions so much that I’d catch a bus without a destination in mind. More often than not, ending up at the last stop, Manchester, Piccadilly Gardens. I would walk to Manchester Art Gallery before heading back to the bus for another session. Once I had a mass of sketches, I’d enjoy developing some in Photoshop. I’m fond of sketching real people in the real world, there’s something special within the authenticity of ordinary life. I have even seen some of the individuals at the shops or at the park, they have no idea they have a special space in my sketchbook. I feel that captures something poignant within everyday life, we impact each other most without ever knowing it.
263 life drawing
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The surrounding environment is fast, by the time I look up from my sketchbook, they may have tied up their hair, taken off the coat I was drawing, put on some headphones or just got off the bus… this is why I have to capture rapid lines, outlining essential shapes so I’m not wasting paper. Once I have a basic outline, I sometimes later develop with paints or in Photoshop. Due to Covid 19 during the last year, I have put this practice on hold and have begun developing them for Covid related awareness posters.
I’m so chuffed that my design being used for a positive cause, its a wonderful feeling to see families out checking each park off the poster and nurturing our beautiful planet.
FAYE TIKIC 