As a freelance illustrator I have illustrated a number of books but Made By Hand At Home is the first that I have written. I draw on my years of experience as an illustrator and as an art tutor of primary school children in York. The book developed from projects I created for children when, in spring 2020, we were first asked to stay at home.
In a number of ways my working life was unchanged last year as I largely work from home. As an after-school art club tutor, however, my teaching was put on hold. With the hope of helping parents, who found themselves homeschooling, I started to post ideas for art projects on my social media. Many of these projects used the food and the drink packaging brought home by my own children.
The first staying at home period gave rise to an extraordinary outburst of creativity round the world. Artists and makers offered creative ideas to people who suddenly found themselves at home and many had children to educate and to entertain. The public response to these ideas clearly showed people’s desire to be creative and the benefits of creativity on our well-being.
The book celebrates the creative potential of everyday life whether it is via a humble loo roll tube or a takeaway coffee cup. With almost two hundred images it offers ideas for artistic projects using recyclable materials available in the home. It covers a wide range of subjects including chapters on working with colour and shape, making decorations and creating cardboard characters.
Writer and educator Gayle Johnson has written: ‘In part a compendium of creative ideas, in part an accessible art history and in part a wry social commentary on our times. This inspiring book is a must-read for parents, educators and everyone interested in the visual arts. It invites us to live differently and to notice our interactions with the things that surround us more closely.’
In time for the school holidays, which for many families this year will be another period of staying at home, the book will be published on 30 July 2021. It will be available in local outlets and available to order priced £12.99 with free UK delivery via my website: www.lucymonkman.com.
Contact details:
