Achievements
Westmoor Primary School's Reading Retreat
Not all children want to run around during a noisy playtime, so at Westmoor we have provided them with a comfortable and quiet space to lose themselves in their favourite books. I started this project during lockdown and have included a range of our children’s favourite books from different authors, suitable for all ages. It has already sparked many conversations between children about reading, making them eager and excited to get in once it has officially opened. It is so important that we encourage children to enjoy reading as much as possible and I’m so pleased that my artwork has contributed towards this.
Recognition from David Walliams
I was extremely lucky in having David Walliams acknowledge my artwork for Westmoor Primary School's Reading Retreat not long after finishing. He was kind enough to send a video of him expressing his delight in hearing about the reading retreat, which he said looked "absolutely fantastic" and how he was thrilled to have his books included on one of its walls.
David goes on to tell our pupils about how important reading is to him and how it helped his journey in becoming a writer himself. He even sent the school a copy of his new book Code Name Bananas to add to our reading retreat, something we were so excited to accept. The children were so ecstatic to watch the video David sent and all of us at Westmoor Primary School are so grateful for his recognition of my art.
Celebrity Commissions
I drew This Morning's guide dog Clover as a gift for her birthday. Here she is with her portrait, celebrating her birthday on the show!
This Morning
David Walliams
As a thank you for sending the children at West Moor Primary School a personalised video, I drew a portrait of David's two dogs Bert and Ernie. He was so delighted that he posted a photo with it on his instagram and followed me too!
Chloe Ferry
I also drew Chloe Ferry's dog Ivy and decided to drop into her salon to surprise her with the finished portrait! She posted it on her Instagram and Snapchat pages and it helped my business massively, I was so grateful.
Alex and Olivia Bowen
I then drew a coloured pencil portrait of Alex and Olivia Bowen's dogs Winnie and Reggie! Olivia loved it so much she commissioned a portrait of her horse Dolly! Both portraits have taken pride of place in their home. I'm so grateful for their support and for giving me so much exposure!
St. Oswald's Snowdog
I am very honoured to have had the chance to paint one of St Oswald's very own Snowdogs!
This is Pickle who was bought at auction by On Medical, a local medical agency. As the money raised was to help young people supported by St. Oswald's, the team at On Medical let the children decide the name. Pickle was the winning name chosen by three year old Lillie-Mae Chipping from Durham, a name very fitting to On Medical's company colours.
Lillie-Mae won a soft toy Snowdog and book from On Medical for naming Pickle. The company also donated other Snowdog toys and DVD’s for the children at the hospice to play with.
Elmer's Great North Parade
Schools in Tyne and Wear were invited to be inspired, get imaginative and join the herd by being apart of the biggest art event ever to take place across the nation - Elmer's Great North Parade.
Being a teaching assistant and an artist, I was obviously extremely excited to lead on this project and we are very proud to say every single child in our school contributed to decorating our Elmer.
We named our Elmer "Elmore Than Meets The Eye". He looks like patchwork Elmer. However, as you get closer and investigate, you can see how passionate Westmoor Primary is about Outdoor Play and Learning (opal). Elmore Than Meets The Eye shows the concept of embracing diversity in the outdoors. The harder you look the more you will find. His patchworks are made up of Grass, Sand, Water, Insects, Flowers, Sunshine and Mud. Depending on the year group, the children all had their own patch to work on; from nursery and reception finger painting the flower sections, to year six drawing detailed insects with acrylic paint pens.
The sculptures took to the streets, parks and public spaces of Tyne and Wear for eleven weeks from the 21st August 2019. Every penny raised from the trail goes towards supporting St Oswald's Children's Hospice; allowing the charity to be there for local young people, children and babies with incurable conditions.
Parents of Westmoor Primary - as always, you should be very proud...the children certainly were!!
