Welcome to April - All Hail the Hedgerows!
Explore the beauty and biodiversity of hedgerows through sketching and nature journalling and discover more about this rich natural habitat.
Welcome to April in The Creative Flock, and hello to all the people who have joined recently. If you’re brand new here, you may like to read this welcome post which tells you more about me and what to expect from being part of this community.
Here’s my (belated) voice note, which I share at the beginning of each month. Links to things I mention are below.
National-Share-A-Story-Month (NSSM) - https://fcbg.org.uk/nssm/
Federation of Children’s Book Groups (FCBG) conference https://fcbg.org.uk/conference/.
Hedgelands by Christopher Hart
Hedgewitch by
Here’s an at-a-glance schedule of our live sessions this month, more details further down this post and on the Calendar page
UPDATE: I spotted that I had written the wrong time for Monday’s Co-Sketch, it’s 2-3pm BST on Monday 14th. Updated schedule is below and shows the correct time.
This month’s theme is all about hedgerows!
Hedgerows have long inspired me, I’m drawn to their varied structures, sculptural forms, and the rich textures of their branches and foliage, which evolve with the changing seasons.
Look closely, and you’ll discover a world within a world, thriving habitats teeming with life and bursting with natural bounty. Perfect for creatures of all sizes.
Hedgerows are not only vital natural habitats but also essential lifelines for wildlife. They serve as hideaways and shelters for birds, animals, and insects while providing safe corridors that connect fragmented landscapes, protecting creatures from exposure and predation.
In folklore, hedgerows are seen as gateways to other realms, marking the boundary between our world and hidden, unseen places, accessible only to wild and magical beings. I often daydream of shrinking down to explore these microenvironments up close, but for now, I’ll immerse myself in their details the best way I know how, with my pencil and sketchbook.
Throughout the month, I’ll be taking you on my journey as I share not only my findings about the history, biodiversity and conservation of hedgerows but also my creative response, in the form of observational sketches and nature journaling. I find sketching and journaling to be the perfect way to get a deeper understanding of a natural habitat and spark new creative ideas.
I’m looking forward to a month of exploring the beauty and richness of hedgerows with you!
This month’s live sessions
Creative Flock members:
Drawing session: Thursday 24th April, 7.30-9pm BST. Replay available.
This session will be inspired by the rich forms and textures of hedgerows and the variety of wildlife commonly found in these habitats. More details on the theme for this session, plus image references will follow in a separate post, for now, sign up via the link on the Calendar Page.
NEW: Project Show & Share. Tuesday 29th April, 7pm BST. Replay available.
I’m trialling out this new addition for Creative Flock members and if it’s popular then it’ll be a regular session.
Bring your creative project and share it in a supportive space! This is a great opportunity to receive feedback, ask questions, and connect with fellow artists and creatives. I truly believe that sharing our work with peers helps us grow and evolve. You’re welcome to bring something inspired by this month’s theme or any project you’d like to share with the group. Or just come along and see what others are sharing!
If you’d like to access these live sessions and the full archive of recordings, you can upgrade your subscription at any time
Creative Flock members & Free subscribers:
Co-Sketching - These one-hour sessions are a chance to set everything else aside and just draw. I find them so valuable for focusing on creativity instead of getting caught up in admin or my to-do list!
The sessions aren’t recorded, and everyone will be muted when they join, but you’re more than welcome to unmute at the start to share what you’re working on or pop a message in the chat.
Can’t wait to spend this golden hour of creativity with you! 💛
Wednesday 9th April 7-8pm BST - https://lu.ma/22r7v4t5
Monday 14th April 2-3pm BST - https://lu.ma/epz9b5hf
Guest spot on Awkward Drawing Show! Friday 25th April, 5pm BST/12pm EST.
I’m very excited to be drawing live with Beth in her new Art Show! Join us to watch the live stream of us drawing and chatting and pop your questions or comments into the chat.
Find all the details and sign-up links to the live sessions here:
Live Sessions Calendar
Would you like to know when we’ll be drawing together this month? Then you’re in the right place.
Want to brush up on your hedgerow knowledge?
A great place to start is on the Woodland Trust website where there is a section with information that includes the types of life these habitats support and why they are a vital part of our natural environment. Woodland Trust - Hedgerow Habitats
Here’s a link to a journal on hedgerows if you would like to read further: Wood Wise - Hedgerows & Hedgerow Trees
The PTES has a history of hedgerows on its website - History of Hedgerows
And there are hedgerow surveys you can contribute to (UK only) https://hedgerowsurvey.ptes.org/
To continue my research I'll be reading Hedgelands by Christopher Hart, which arrived today from the gorgeous Somerset bookshop - Sherlock & Pages. I’ve been a follower of this bookshop for some time, their instagram account is a history, heritage and booklover's dream! While I was shopping, I couldn’t resist their Long Live the Hedgerows tote bags. I look forward to reading Hedgelands over the coming weeks and sharing my thoughts on the book with you later in the month.
You can support this independent bookshop by ordering directly from them here https://sherlockandpages.com/. Or if you’re in the Somerset area, why not pop in!
Children’s books with a hedgerow theme:
I wanted to explore the links with hedgerows in stories and literature and was interested to see if hedgerows feature in children’s books. Aside from the popular Brambly Hedge series there aren’t many that prominently feature hedgerows. One notable exception is Hedgewitch by
the first book in her magical fantasy series featuring Cassie, a resourceful young girl determined to escape the dreary English boarding school where she has been confined. She longs to search for her mother, who left her at the school when she was very young and never returned.One day, Cassie takes matters into her own hands, crossing the forbidden border between England and the faerie realm. Convinced that her mother is somewhere beyond the hedge, she ventures into the magical world and its dangers, determined to uncover the truth behind her mother’s disappearance.
I’m thrilled to be interviewing Skye McKenna this month, to find out more about the influence of hedgerow folklore on her books! This interview will be available to all subscribers, later in the month.
Discover more about Hedgewitch on the Hachette website: hachette.co.uk/skye-mckenna/hedgewitch
And find out more about Skye, her work and the other books in her series on her website: https://skyemckenna.com
If you know of my children’s books which feature hedges as a central part of the story, please let me know. If not, perhaps I need to create my own children’s book about hedgerows! 😆
Art and illustration inspired by or featuring hedgerows:
Above: Helen Ward. An example of Helen’s stunning, evocative printmaking work from her ‘Wild Margins’ collection. More work and information about Helen can be found on her website and Instagram
I love Martin’s work, his expert eye captures the beauty of our hidden, wild spaces, elevating them through his drawings and prints.
https://www.truefitt-baker.co.uk
Chat Threads
If you’re unfamiliar with the chat function on Substack, it’s like a group chat or live hangout. I love this space as it’s a great way for us to get to know each other and encourage supportive conversation among The Creative Flock members. Chat works best in the app, but you can join in on the desktop too.
I have two regular threads:
Every Friday: Share Good Stuff from your Week (all subscribers)
‘Toot your horn’ 📣 (paid members). Use this as a place to share your wins, passion projects or anything that deserves a big ol’ pat on the back. I know a lot of us are bad at cheerleading ourselves, so let this be a place for that!
Paid members are also able to start new chat threads to kick off community conversations or ask questions.
I look forward to joining in these chats with you 😊
Discounts on art materials and my print store
If you’re new to The Flock you may not be aware of the discounts I share with my subscribers and paid members, details below and in your welcome email.
Deep Deep Light - 10-15% off site wide:
All Creative Flock subscribers receive 10% off at the Deep Deep Light store, and paid members receive 15% off. Use code emmacarpendale10 for 10% off, paid members will receive their discount code in their welcome email after upgrading.1
Cult Pens 10% discount:
Cult Pens is my preferred online store for pens and inks due to its wide range of products. Click this referral link for 10% off your order at Cult Pens.
My online print store:
https://www.emmacarpendale.co.uk/shop
This is a great way to support me if you can’t manage the paid membership, plus you get some unique art too! 😀 Free subscribers receive 10% off my giclee prints, paid members receive 20% off. Use code printshop10 for 10% off, paid members will receive their discount code in their welcome email after upgrading.
If you have any questions about this months theme, or suggestions for future themes or content, please get in touch, i’d be happy to hear from you. 🙂
I’m looking forward to exploring hedgerows with you!
I receive 5-10% on each sale when you use the discount code. This will be something that helps fund and support my work as an artist and I want you to know it’s very much appreciated. I’m happy for you to share the code with fellow creatives, along with a link back to my Substack. Thank you! 😊
Awww so sorry your voice is lost! Looking forward to a creative month and excited to have you on the show! 😬💕