Toadstool House
Photoshop & Illustrator
Maddy Bellwoar runs an Art Club, every Wednesday afternoon on Twitch with various themes depending on the season. This was Autumn; and it was the stile over a dry stone wall that inspired this idea of it leading to a toadstool house in the forest.
I love both clean vectors and brush texture, so I did two versions. The vector version probably needs more work, but I still love it, especially the trees in the background. I went to town with the Photoshop version; use all the brushes!
Stanley Shoebill
Photoshop
Another Art Club effort; the subject was birds from the photo references I chose this beautiful shoebill. I love his feathers, his beady eye and the chance to do a fabulous green abstract background.
Vector Magic
Super Collaboration Colouring Book
Illustrator
"A collaboration between vector artists to make the funnest deck of cards ever!" You can see the whole project here on Behance.
I teamed with Erin Hueston to do Jack of Hearts. As usual my problem was choosing a theme, a design, a subject. Finally I settled on something I can't physically do myself but imagine I would like to - a girl listening to music or an audio book, out in nature drawing on a tablet. Is there a better way to spend time?
For my collaboration with Dan Flores I was inspired by a stock image of a pencil planted in the ground. This is colouring book, so how about a boy called Jack tending his garden of pencils? He even lives in a house built in a pencil!
Tulip Line
Illustrator
Continuous line drawing, not something I am good at. I think this turned out so well because the reference of a bunch of tulips in a big metal watering can was simple. Also, it combines my love of vector lines but with colour and a bit of texture.
Splendid Reckless Courage
Photoshop
It was the phrase splendid reckless courage that I felt drawn to make something with. For a couple of months this sat unfinished because I really didn't like it. My abstract flowers are mere blobs, my leaves too pointy, the lettering isn't right; that background isn't bad though, nice teal blue-green going on there!
Graphic Design Rulez!
Photoshop
I didn't set out to make this. While making book covers for the community bookshelf (below) I lamented that the cover for Graphic Design Rules looked boring! So I decided to try and "break" graphic design rules in a new cover. Much of the effect in this piece is from a Photoshop template that turns base elements into street art, so I can't really take much credit for the design. I just turned layers on and off once I'd brought in the text and shapes.
I do think it would look good on a t-shirt though...
The Community Bookshelf
Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Adobe Express, Premiere Pro
Starting on 1st September I challenged myself to stream art daily on Twitch for at least 30 minutes. My first piece was that green cactus, up on the bookshelf to the right. The idea was to do quick pieces, either sketches or vectors, no overthinking colour or brushes, just practice at seeing and building.
I mused that these pieces ought to have a home; somewhere they belonged once finished so that I actually had a reason to complete them! Thus The Community Bookshelf arrived and immediately became more than just a shelf.
This is a virtual representation of my studio; that's my desk with two monitors, and requisite mug of tea, all ready for me to start a livestream. Our car parked outside, rather mythical trees instead of the houses I see across the street; if I had a sofa this one would do me fine, including our community bear Thaddeus.
All the book titles are either what I am reading/have read, or the viewers recommended, along with two music contributions. All covers were recreated by me during the livestreams, some more than others.
My original starting stream video plays on my monitor, and for this version it's winter so we have snow outside the window. During Christmas there was a small tree with flashing lights. There's plenty of room on the shelves for more books or music in 2026; the scene outside will change with the seasons.
This was fun to make, a lovely way to connect with viewers, to build skills and create something that represents the livestream community.
Oh! Did I finish the 100 Days Project, without missing a day? Why, yes I did! I won't say it was easy; some days the only thing I did was this livestream, but it was well worth the effort.
Thank you to all my viewers in 2025, livestreaming wouldn't be fun without you!