Since returning to my studio after a much needed break in August, I started to work in a small sketchbook, finding inspiration in my garden. I used a variety of mediums to draw birds, flowers and seed heads and it was also a nice, relaxed way to ease back into the flow of working in a creative environment.

I am always inspired by our wildlife visitors here - we are lucky to have a small garden that backs onto a river, and there are often herons, kingfishers and dippers to be found, as well as our much loved garden birds, like the thrushes, blackbirds and robins. I love to discover brightly coloured beetles, their iridescent blue, green backs catching the sunlight…the large dragonflies that swoop above the water like small planes, and the many varieties of butterflies that arrive with the warmer weather.

Last Monday though, we had a more unusual visitor. It was a golden, September afternoon and I was sat outside with my daughter, enjoying the sunshine and a cool drink in the warm sun. I was suddenly aware of a sound - an unusual, scrabbling sound. Carys could hear it too, and we carefully detected where it was coming from - a dark green garden trug in the garden next door.

The old gentleman who used to live there has sadly passed away, and his garden is now overgrown with brambles glistening with juicy fruit amidst the apple and pear trees he loved so much. Finding the bottom gate locked, Carys scaled the wall and managed to reach the trug, and discovered a young hedgehog trapped inside.

Safely over the wall again, we found a box for our unexpected guest, lining it with tea towels before calling up the Hedgehog Preservation Society for some advice. Following this, we gave him a warm hot water bottle which we tucked under the towel for him to sit on, a towel to hide under, and some dry cat food which our kind neighbour supplied, along with a bowl of water. We also spoke with Barnsley Animal Rescue and a local lady who rescues them and received some care instructions. Giving him the once over as directed, we discovered he wasn’t injured and could be released back into his habitat at dusk.

For a few hours the little chap - who we named Pip - slept soundly. We kept him in a quiet corner of our dining room and now and then would check in on him. He had a boisterous half hour where he tried to get out of his box, and ate a lot of the biscuits before paddling in his water bowl and going back to sleep.

I’m so happy to tell you that little Pip went safely back into the wild that evening. We listened to his little feet, crunching on the crisp fallen leaves as he made his way under the wood pile. I can’t tell you what an impact this whole experience has had on us. What a huge honour to be able to care for a wild creature like that, and to see it released back into it’s habitat. The following day I found myself drawing him in my sketchbook (see top picture)…and that, serendipitously, led to a new painting.

Autumn Dusk

This was the painting that followed on from my sketch, and I loved every minute of working on it. I also found much inspiration in my garden, using the shapes of fallen leaves, dry seed heads and all that rich, golden colour that I associate with this season to influence this piece.

The painting has now sold, but I am in the process of arranging a brand new print, and greetings card which I’m really excited to share with you soon.

I would really encourage you to go out into your local environment - your garden, balcony, or even your local park and see what kind of things you notice. Wildlife, when you take a moment or two to quieten down and observe it, can be found everywhere. Why not take a sketchbook with you, and some paint, pens and crayons? Not only is spending time in nature very good for our mental health and wellbeing, drawing and painting is also very relaxing - it’s a lovely way to while away an hour!