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All three of us have created Knitty Bear with love and intention and our wish is that you find comfort and a sense of belonging, within the covers, of this little bear book.
Jane: I’m an actor, director, sign language interpreter, psychotherapist and author and I absolutely love animals - especially those of the bear variety!
Fiona: I currently live on a smallholding on the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales, with my husband, horses, cats and a vast array of wildlife, all of which provide an endless source of inspiration for my art. The rainbow-coloured wool of my creativity, has twisted and turned throughout my life - always there [admittedly sometimes a little frayed and occasionally barely hanging on by a thread] but, when I’ve chosen to follow it, it’s always brought me back to my truth, which is - my deep, deep love of painting, drawing and creating.
However, somewhere in my dim and distant past, I started to believe that there was little value in being artistic. So, I loosened my grip on my rainbow coloured wool and concentrated on trying to be what I thought was required of me. I then become an occupational therapist, which holistically and pragmatically balances science and art and human creativity to tackle everyday life.
Thankfully, my rainbow coloured wool never left me and instead, weaved in and out of my therapy practice and during my academic career as an occupational therapy lecturer - dancing its way through tutorials and presentations, getting in on the act wherever it could! Later, my discovery of shamanism brought me back into a clear awareness of the power of art to speak to us, in ways that go beyond spoken language. I always knew this of course - but now I feel it.
Nowadays, I consider myself to be an apprentice to the spirits of the animals, plants, birds, stones and other beings that emerge from my pencils and paint brushes and feel firmly knitted, into a much more colourfully woven story, than I could ever have imagined at the start of my life.
And, one thing I know for sure - is that Knitty is real. As real as the pages of this book that you are holding. Indeed, from the very first time I drew him, he was fully determined to be seen for who he is and I very much hope my illustrations do him justice.
Lindsay: I was born in a town nestled in the foothills of the Pennines and after many adventures around the UK and abroad, I have settled in a little village in Lancashire. Music and creativity have always been my passions and I enjoy passing on my skills and enthusiasm within my current work, in special education. I find knitting in particular, to be very soothing and will regularly preach to anyone who will listen about the wellbeing benefits of taking up a creative hobby.
When not at work or taking a wild dip with Jane, I can often be found sat at home or in a pub, merrily knitting away. These days I'm attempting to get better at crochet… with mixed results….
Warmly,
Jane, Fiona and Lindsay.
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