It was so good to see the return of Arts Festivals in the UK. It really does show that we are starting to see the UK arts world making a come back. Old faces and new faces came together, it was at times quite emotional as it has been a struggle for many creative people not to see each other.

Creativity has blossomed in some ways over lockdown. Whilst it may have felt stifling, to see artwork hung in all it's glory in the bright white marquees was like seeing the sailing ships at sea against the bright summer skies. Laughter and voices once again could be heard and people sat on the grass eating ice creams and whilst social distancing was still very much in mind it was lovely to see the appreciation everyone had for art and creativity and the community that it encompasses.

All in all the arts is coming back and it is so lovely to see and be part of.

I was lucky enough to be demonstrating at Broadway Arts Festival that bank holiday weekend and created a kingfisher in all its splendour. There seem to have been many more sightings of them of late and of course there is the Kingfisher Arts Trail here in Worcestershire so it seemed rather apt. He was created in Derwent Lightfast with a pastel pencil background and will be winging his way to Cumbria very soon.