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Vicky Morse Design

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kid lit

Who doesn’t love immersing themselves in imaginary worlds?

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vickymorsedesign

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As November is #NationalDiabetesMonth and 14 Nov w As November is #NationalDiabetesMonth and 14 Nov was #WorldDiabetesDay it seems like a good opportunity to re-introduce myself. For those that don't know, I'm Vix, and from appearances you'd never know that I have a chronic illness (unless I'm hypoglycaemic or hyperglycaemic and shaking, crying and likely on the floor.) I've been a Type 1 diabetic for over 30 years, and it's engrained into daily life. Although it doesn't stop me being a mum, wife, friend, illustrator or interior architect it's a rollercoaster, tiring, and relentless illness. On average a type 1 diabetic makes 180 extra decisions every day. That said, it's something we are lucky has treatment, thankfully currently covered by the NHS in the UK. T1D is an autoimmune disease (not poor diet or unhealthy lifestyle) and there is no cure. Each day is full of calculations and decisions to stay alive. If there was one thing I wish people knew about my illness it's that there's no 'one size fits all' and every diabetic has a different experience and takes different doses of medication. Our diabetes is affected differently by many many factors from the weather, exercise, stress, hormones, carbohydrate intake and even menstrual cycle. Simply put type 1 diabetics need insulin to stay alive, and some people (including my brother) have a pump, CGM or hybrid closed loop, whilst others like me do multiple daily injections (I'm severely allergic to anything stuck to my skin.) @breakthrought1dUK has done a great video that is worth a quick watch on their website, and pinned on their feed, which is a powerful glimpse at T1D life. [ID: Photo of a white woman in the sun with hat and sunglasses on.] #BreakthroughT1D #WorldDiabetesAwarenessDay #DiabetesAwareness #DiabetesUK #DiabetesLooksLikeMe #IAmT1D #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #DiabetesAwarenessMonth
After listening to @warrior_in.the.garden talk abo After listening to @warrior_in.the.garden talk about his experience in Palestine and the humanity and every day life, combined with @sarahdyer_illustrator pointing me to Arundhati Roy for thoughts on hope this piece emerged for @CoffeesForGaza #Peacetober prompt 'coffee.' I can't find the original post but I saw a recent photo of someone pouring coffee in Gaza amidst the rubble, and it really stuck with me; not only the beauty of the jug and cup but the process, ceremony almost, of that hot coffee being poured and then enjoyed. This year I've been focussing on finding glimmers, which are exactly this; finding the joy in small moments. To paraphrase Arundhati Roy we need to hold onto hope in order to find strength. If they get you to lose hope, joy, peace of mind, the ability to love and the ability to focus on small things then they have won. So let's continue focussing on the small things that matter, on the small difference we can make, which as a collective is bigger than we realise. Don't give up hope. [ID: Illustration of a jug pouring coffee into a traditional Palestinian coffee cup with the lettering 'find joy in the small things' in the top left hand corner.] #CoffeesForGaza #CreativeCommunity #DrawingChallenge #OctoberChallenge #CreativeChallenge #FreePalestine #SketcbookArt #Peace #CeasefireNow #ArtForGood #SaveGaza #CreatingIsMyTherapy #CollectiveHope #GelliPlateTextures #EditorialIllustration #Peace #CeasefireNow #ArtForGood #FoodIllustration #CoffeeIllustration #FindJoyInSmallThings #ArundhatiRoy #DontGiveUpHope #CreativeCommunity
I’ve taken an unintentional break from #Peacetob I’ve taken an unintentional break from #Peacetober because I was overwhelmed and needed to find a way to process the news coming out of Gaza, on a daily basis. Then last night my children and I joined in the @CoffeesForGaza draw along hosted by @inda_binda and @billy_ruffian with @sarahdyer_illustrator and @warrior_in.the.garden. Always a boost to spend time with this community, whilst of course raising money for families in Gaza. Sarah spoke about ‘active hope’ and Yusuf also told stories of visiting Palestine and the Al Aqsa Mosque in August and how most of the time the energy and daily life of the people felt like you wouldn't know there was a Genocide taking place in Gaza. Again another version of active hope and resistance (not to take away from the clear suffering taking place.) In Yusuf's words 'Ordinary people like you and me going through the most extraordinary times.' Speaking to a fellow illustrator this morning we agreed that last night has given a renewed energy to keep creating. I have decided to continue with the Peacetober prompts but at my own pace. If I’m still posting in November / December / 2025 then that’s ok, the conversation needs to keep going. Big hugs to anyone needing them as we enter a new week. [ID: Open sketchbook page with a sketch of a vibrant food stall in Palestine in ink with a watercolour wash.] #CoffeesForGaza #CreativeCommunity #DrawingChallenge #OctoberChallenge #CreativeChallenge #FreePalestine #SketcbookArt #Peace #CeasefireNow #ArtForGood #SaveGaza #CreatingIsMyTherapy #CollectiveHope
The second challenge I've decided to join in with The second challenge I've decided to join in with this month is #Facetober by @CharlyClements. This has been one of my favourite challenges for a long time but I'm coming at it from a different angle this year. There's been a lot of contemplation for me this year, mainly on local walks in beautiful Yorkshire countryside, combined with many an hour sipping a latte and sketching in a local cafe. When I was sat in my favourite cafe the other day overhearing bits of a conversation I was also trying to plan some of my #Facetober2024 sketches. The two seemed to combine in my head, resulting in an idea for an exhibition I'd love to put together of a series of illustrations based on my cafe sketches of many characters and fictional stories I've created about them. Maybe I'll pluck up the courage to speak to the cafe owner to discuss putting on an exhibition once I've finished a few more pieces. I just need to work out how to change the sketches enough that the people aren't recognisable! For now, I'll leave you with the draft composition for day 8 of Facetober - clouds, sunglasses, scars. [ID: Sketch of a man wistfully looking off the page, surrounded by hand lettering: Do you remember when we used to watch clouds transform? Now I look up in hope you'll appear to break this storm. Memories fill the air, a chance for me to still connect to your care. I still bear the scars today. Please don't float away.] #CharacterDrawing #InstagramChallenge #Illustragram #DrawEveryDay #DailyDrawing #CreativeLife #CreatingIsMyTherapy #ArtChallenge #CreateEveryDay #CreativeHappyLife #SmallMomentsOfCalm #ObservationDrawing #VisualDiary #Sketchbook #BehindTheScenes #MundanitiesOfLife #LifeStories #IlkleyLife #Contemplation #CharacterDrawing #FunWithFaces
Taking a break today from #Peacetober to recharge Taking a break today from #Peacetober to recharge a little and because I'm struggling to find words after 365 days of Genocide (following years of oppression.) This sketch for me today is the white elephant in the room - the UK is still selling arms to Israel. Our leaders and politicians can't say they want a ceasefire whilst continuing to supply the weapons. I will persist in finding escape, and expression in my art and am lucky to have the freedom to do so, whilst thinking about all the suffering and cruelty in the world right now. [ID: Sketchbook page of scribbled lines, with a loose outline of an elephant.] #SketchbookRevival #LooseLines #CeasefireNow #FreePalestine #Sketchbook #DailyDrawing #CreativeLife #CreatingIsMyTherapy #CreateEveryDay #VisualDiary
Day 5 #Peacetober by @CoffeesForGaza - OLIVE. Thi Day 5 #Peacetober by @CoffeesForGaza - OLIVE. This is a pattern from a collection I created as part of @MakeItInDesign #WinterSchool earlier this year. The Folktales brief was about narrative, and Palestinian voices and stories need to be raised and heard. [ID: Repeating lattice pattern of olive branches.] #CeasefireNow #PeaceInPalestine #DrawForPalestine #FreePalestine #CreativeCommunity #SketchTheWorld #HumanConnection #StandWithPalestine #SurfacePatternDesign #MiiDWinterSchool #MiiDWinterSchool2024 #MakeItInDesign #DesignCommunity #PalestinePattern #PatternForPalestine #Olivebranch #GiftWrapDesign #PeacetoberOlive #OctoberChallenge
Day 4, #Peacetober by @CoffeesForGaza is POPPIES. Day 4, #Peacetober by @CoffeesForGaza is POPPIES. One of my favourite flowers. I didn't realise that the poppy is the national flower of Palestine. The perfect symbol of resilience. My gelliplate was calling me for this one, and it was good to play with textures. Who knew that fluffy wool would be a good found material to represent barbed wire? I had a clear idea of what I wanted to create; a single bright, bold and beautiful red poppy against barbed wire to represent the fight for freedom. [ID: Gelli print of a single red poppy set against textured green grass and barbed wire.] #PeactoberPoppy #CoffeesForGaza #CreativeCommunity #DrawingChallenge #OctoberChallenge #CreativeChallenge #FreePalestine #GelliPlateTextures #ChildIllustration #EditorialIllustration #Peace #CeasefireNow #ArtForGood #GelliPrint #PoppyIllustration #GelPrinting
Day 2 #Peacetober by @CoffeesForGaza is FIG. When Day 2 #Peacetober by @CoffeesForGaza is FIG. When I was doing the Drawing for Palestine sessions hosted by @SarahDyer_Illustrator, one thing I loved was hearing about Palestinian culture. For me it's important to keep that culture visible. Apathy is something that terrifies me, and our government seem to forget that these are people with lives, culture, stories, history. Today's illustration is inspired by a recipe I found on @PalestineInADish. I don't like the texture of figs to eat but the sweetness and tang of this recipe reminds me of some of my favourite Polish dishes. I continue to hope peace will ensue and Gaza will be full of people tucking into Labaneh as a regular snack. [ID: Illustration of a hand reaching over to a slice of toast laden with Labaneh and sliced figs, on a green background.] #CoffeesForGaza #CreativeCommunity #DrawingChallenge #OctoberChallenge #CreativeChallenge #FreePalestine #GelliPlateTextures #EditorialIllustration #Peace #CeasefireNow #ArtForGood #RecipeIllustration #FoodIllustration #PalestineInADish #CookForGaza #SaveGaza #PeacetoberDay2 #PeacetoberFig
October can be overwhelming with the number of ins October can be overwhelming with the number of insta challenges to choose from. This year I've decided to join just two for as many days as I can manage, no pressure for daily posts. The first of those is #Peacetober by @CoffeesForGaza. I've not known what to post to my feed recently, and feel guilty for posting art when there are so many families and people without basic shelter and food, let alone a chance to have a creative outlet. I'm sure like many I feel angry, upset and often helpless over the cruelty of the world, especially our own government who don't seem to listen - my local MP doesn't even bother to respond to my emails on the subject. This is a great challenge to not only keep the conversation about the many injustices of the world going, but there are also many ways to help... from simply joining the Peacetober challenge, to the @CoffeesForGaza Patreon, to buying tickets for their live sessions with artists (I'm missing Draw for Palestine with @sarahdyer_illustrator so great to see her on the artist list,) to asking people to donate even a small amount for each day you manage to create/post. Jump over to their profile to find out more. I've run out of words now so I'll leave you with my first contribution for KITES. [ID: Illustration of the back of a girl flying a kite above the rubble, with text 'Fly above the rubble' and 'I wish I could protect you in a bubble.'] #PeactoberKites #CoffeesForGaza #CreativeCommunity #DrawingChallenge #OctoberChallenge #CreativeChallenge #FreePalestine #GelliPlateTextures #KiteIllustration #ChildIllustration #EditorialIllustration #Peace #CeasefireNow #ArtForGood
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All designs & art works on this website are copyright of Vicky Morse. Please do not copy, reproduce or alter artwork on this site.
 

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