Single Parent Series
In 2021 as part of the Association of Illustrators mentorship programme, I was encouraged by my mentor Jenni Sparks to create a personal project highlighting the challenges of single parenting. As an illustrator and a single mum myself, I feel under-represented in the industry. When I shared this project across social media in March 2021, it had an amazing response, resonating with hundreds of parents.
I am currently working on a new series increasing visibility of single parents in illustration, which will be published as a zine. Over 120 single parents registered their interest to share their experiences to inspire this series.
Process
For this series I had to dig deep and look at the biggest challenges I face as a single parent. I started sketching these visually, then selected five ideas to develop. Three of these became the finished series. The linework was created using my UniPin Fine Line 0.7, on FSC white card. Scanned in and cleaned up, I carefully selected a colour palette to represent parent and child. I used Adobe Illustrator to add the colour and shading, as well as the image credits, ready to share on social media.
Font used here is Omnes by Joshua Darden of Darden Studio. Wherever I can, I use fonts designed by Black and minority designers
Featured in:
Positive Wellbeing Magazine Issue 14 - November 2021
Print and Pattern Blog - June 2021
All by Mama Blog - April 2021
Resilient Kids Space - April 2021
Association of Illustrators - March 2021
Instagram - March 2021
Featured and credited on 6 instagram accounts in one week with a combined total of 28,443 followers
“It’s comforting to know I’m not alone in this. Love the illustration”
“This work is amazing. Being a parent is challenging as it is. Seeing things through the eyes of a single parent like this is really thought provoking”
“I’m so glad you’re talking about this. And no, you are not doing this alone”
To Buy
This series is not available for sale or licensing. To commission something similar, get in touch.
