Since lockdown began, I have come out of shops and galleries and been focussing on commission work mostly. The trend has definitely been for sentimental artwork which has special meaning for the recipient. The cost value has been overtaken by sentimental value as the deciding factor for buying gifts.

A family friend got married recently. I had already drawn the special location of their engagement and her brother’s three little dogs. I was approached by her husband to be to paint their favourite view, as a gift for his bride, and then I drew an image which celebrated their union as a gift from me and my son, who was ‘brides’ man’, a new concept for me.

The painting was of the iconic three bridges at sunset, in South Queensferry, Scotland. My gift combined theatre masks and music with the symbol often depicted on medical branding, as the bride is a singer and casting agent, and her groom is a doctor. They were delighted.

This week I am preparing for my Open Studio event on 31.10.21, so lots of packaging of new merchandise… fine bone China mugs and candle jars, notepads, tea towels, coasters etc. It has been quite exciting to see it all come together.

The update on my memoir is that I have signed a contract with The Right Book Company, and I am currently working with my editor. Publication date is likely to be June 2021.

Watch this space for updates or follow my Facebook page: Rhonamorrisonauthor