I was invited to be the Illustrator in Residence at Hay Festival, one of the world’s most celebrated literary festivals, held each year in the book town of Hay-on-Wye.

As part of the residency, I was commissioned to create the illustration for the festival programme cover, developing artwork that captured the lively, creative atmosphere of the event. The design aimed to reflect the spirit of curiosity, storytelling, and conversation that runs through the festival, while bringing my own colourful and playful illustration style to such a well-known cultural event.

Alongside the programme artwork, I also led a hands-on creative workshop during the festival, where participants worked together to create a large collaborative mural made from risograph-printed bugs. Using printed elements and drawing, the workshop encouraged people to experiment with colour, composition, and playful illustration while contributing to a growing collective artwork.

Being Illustrator in Residence was a wonderful opportunity to combine illustration, printmaking, and community. It allowed me to contribute visually to the festival while sharing my creative process with others, celebrating drawing and storytelling in a place that has become a global hub for writers, artists, and ideas.