There’s something about the V&A Dundee that always leaves me feeling a little lighter. It’s one of those places I go when I need to recharge or just slow the pace a bit. I’d been waiting in anticipation to see their new exhibition, Garden Futures: Designing with Nature. 

In May I took myself off on a wee arty adventure to France - to gently sidestep the reality of turning 40. No big party, no fuss. Just me, my backpack, and a plan to follow in Vincent Van Gogh’s footsteps. 

Remember when festivals were about living the moment, not filming it? When the buzz came from tearing through the latest NME, heart racing as each new act got announced week by week? 

On the 25th of February, 1943, George Harrison entered the world - a person I hold in very special regard. I first fell in love with George’s music during my teenage years. I have such warm memories of borrowing The Beatles cassettes from the local library’s music section. With such a vast catalogue to explore, it was my kind of sweetie shop as a kid.

I wanted to share a bit of the story behind my pop art-style portrait of James Dean Bradfield, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the Welsh band Manic Street Preachers. It felt too significant not to acknowledge the creative influence this band has had on me over the years.

Throwback to November 2021, when I had the incredible privilege of sitting front row at a sold-out event at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh - and meeting one of my artistic heroes: the extraordinary and courageous Ai Weiwei.

After a whirlwind few days in London last Autumn, I caught my breath with my Auntie and Uncle P in West Yorkshire. Slower pace, strong cups of tea, and Yorkshire air - just what I needed. They kindly took me on a little pilgrimage to Heptonstall so I could say a quiet hello to Sylvia Plath.

In Kay’s world, nothing quite compares to the unforgettable experience of sitting front row at an in-conversation event with Dame Tracey Emin at Cadogan Hall, London (October 2024). My entire trip to the city revolved around the anticipation of being in the same room as my ultimate creative idol.