Description

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. 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 that spring 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 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 in the home. It covers a wide range of subjects including chapters on working with colour and shape, making decorations and creating cardboard characters. I have designed the book in an A4 format so that it can sit open while images are looked at and ideas are worked on.

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.’

Publication Date: 30 July 2021

Publisher: Lucy Monkman
Language: English
Paperback: 80 pages
Isbn: 978-1-5272-9113-3
Dimensions: 210mm x 297mm

The book will be posted in a cardboard backed envelope and all copies available via the website will be signed. The price of the book includes free UK delivery. For delivery to Europe the price is £16.99 and for delivery to USA the price is £19.99. If you would like a copy of the book to be sent to Europe or to USA please do get in touch for details regarding payment: lucy@lucymonkman.com.