I’ve been sending out some form of newsletter for several years now, but it’s been a whole year since I started sending my weekly Field Notes alongside the Margin, a second dose of weekly content for paid subscribers focusing on the creative fringes of my work. In the last few weeks, I’ve had a wave of new subscribers to both - and I thought it was time for a reintroduction!
My name is Tiffany and I’m an author and illustrator from the South Downs in England. I have written eight books about nature and seasonal living, with more on the way and (hopefully) a novel and a kid’s book. I have also just started designing sustainable t-shirts through my brand Papaver. I live in the same market town in which I grew up, with my husband, two babes, two dogs and two chickens. I love cider, autumn, Blade-Runner-era Harrison Ford, abandoned places, proper coffee, Californian history, anti-MLM videos and jam doughnuts. I am a feminist, trying to show my kids that women can nurture their own careers and identities whilst being healthy, present parents if they choose to. I’m also teaching myself how to do basic gardening. The dream is to cultivate my own orchard one day. This year I have been learning how to grow pumpkins.
If you’d like to find out more about me, the video below was made by two filmmakers over the summer, Hilary Hirtle and Samson Page.
Hilary is interested in exploring the intersection between art and ecology through the use of audio-visual media. Her most recent project, A Different Lens, explored perspective, artistic practice, and connection to nature. She is completing an MA in Visual Anthropology at The University of Manchester's Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology. Samson is an emerging filmmaker also completing an MA in Visual Anthropology at the Granada Centre. Connect with Samson via LinkedIn.
Thank you so much for subscribing and supporting my work! If you love reading about nature, foraging, books, films, pop culture and slow, seasonal living, you’ll probably like this newsletter. If you’re on your own creative journey and fancy a few tips and tricks, or if you’re interested in the realities of life as a self-employed creative professional, you might enjoy subscribing to the Margin. Feel free to try a 7-day free trial first and see if it floats your boat! My latest post can be found below:
Something I Made - The Cottage Life
A cosy, colourful guide to living slowly and sustainably, inspired by the world of cottagecore and the idea of living in harmony with nature. It’s full of lifestyle tips, eco hacks, crafts and ideas to help you live a calmer and cosier life, accompanied by lots of photography and beautiful illustrations by Elin Manon. I wrote about the process here if you’re interested in how a book comes together!
Something I Like - Becki Clark’s September workshops
I’ve been following Becki on Instagram for a few years now and she is probably one of my biggest inspirations. (She’s also just had a bébé - congrats Becki!) Her beautiful, nature-inspired illustrations are full of life and she is currently running seasonal workshops online to help you feel inspired and learn new skills at home. This month, I’m booked onto ‘How to draw dahlias with Oil Pastels’ and I can’t wait. If you’re looking for a simple way to try something new and connect with the seasons, Becki is your gal.
Recipe of the Week - Slow Cooked Courgette Pasta
‘Tis the season for using up gluts of courgettes! This recipe came with my Riverford box last week and it was absolutely delicious. Simple ingredients and not much brain-power needed, but the result was lovely and gooey and comforting without being too heavy.
Ohmigoodness your book looks beautiful! It's going in my bookshop.org cart immediately! Also, my garden is still overflowing with courgette (or as we call them, zucchini), so I am definitely going to make that delicious looking pasta.
I really enjoyed that video - especially seeing your cyanotypes! I know exactly what you mean about feeling a part of something bigger being comforting - that notion has got me through some dark times x