Welcoming April: Moonlit Beginnings and Venturing Back on Tour

April has arrived, resplendent in the glow of the full moon and bringing a gentle shift in the air. There’s something especially magical about this time of year as buds begin to unfurl, evenings lengthen, and the world feels alive with possibility.

This vibe has been slightly tempered for me this week following the discombobulation of the clocks springing forwards an hour at the weekend!  However, as British Summer Time settles in, it’s as though the moon herself is inviting us to celebrate new beginnings. Even if the weather hasn’t quite got the memo yet! The clocks leaping forward has meant the daylight lingering longer, giving me more evening hours to dream and sketch.

April is rich with folklore across Europe. In many old tales, the April full moon is said to wake hidden creatures and stir the woods into merry mischief. Germanic legends speak of the “Osterhase”, the spring hare who brings eggs and luck which echoes (or perhaps borrows from) the symbolism of Ostara, which took place a couple of weeks ago. April’s Pink Moon is a beacon for spirits to dance and celebrate the return of warmth. These stories inspire my art, weaving together fantasy, tradition, and the promise of spring.

March Reflections

Looking back on March, I’m quietly pleased with the progress made in the studio. My latest pencil artwork, a March Hare filled with the spirit of the wild, now sits proudly in my portfolio.

I’d love to claim that the creative process for him was a romantic dance of paint, pencils and imagination, capturing the creature’s alert elegance – but all that fur meant it felt more like a labour of love mixed with a bucket of bloody-mindedness!

Mid-month saw the opening of Lincs Dark Side and Phil and I popped along on opening night to wish Verena and her new venture well, to check out the new venue, and see some of the fantastic work from other creatives.

The fresh familiars you see in the photo below are exclusively available from LDS so get yourself over there before they disappear.

LDS are also stocking a selection of products from the Hannah Kate Makes range as well as a host of glorious goodies from other makers across Lincolnshire and the UK.

Go give them a follow on Instagram and check out the website here.

March also whisked us away to Derby for a weekend of exploration and creative inspiration. One night away felt much longer and the short break left me feeling refreshed and filled with renewed motivation.

The Month Ahead

April brings my first in-person event of this year with a return to the NightFair in Norwich. It’s taking place this Saturday and you can find more details here on my events page. As always, I’m a little nervous for my first show back but I’ve kept myself busy preparing prints, sticker packs, lucky dips and creating a whole host of new, one-of-a-kind Familiars for the event.

The NightFair is a favourite market of ours and I’m excited for it to be held in The Halls once again as they’re a great venue full of atmosphere. It’s a chance to meet kindred spirits, share stories, and see my work come alive in the hands of others. The excitement is palpable, and I can’t wait to step back into the NightFair and catch up with fellow artists and returning collectors.

With the March Hare piece completed, I’m eager to embark on a new coloured pencil project. This time, I’m challenging myself to create something entirely different, with no fur! Ideas are swirling around, circling the colours and textures of another magical subject, and I’m drawn to the possibility of scales, feathers, or perhaps folklore-inspired botanicals.

As mentioned above, I have a fresh batch of Familiars brewing in the studio. These tiny companions, each with its own story and charm, are made collaboratively by Phil and me, with love, full of detail, and more than a sprinkle of mischievous spirit. Creating them has almost become a ritual, and every Familiar is a little piece of fantasy, waiting to find its home.

As we step into April, I’m grateful for the adventures, creativity, and growing community that fill my days. Thank you for joining me on this journey. Here’s to moonlit inspiration, folklore magic, and all the whimsical paths ahead.

That’s it for this journal instalment. As always, the best way to keep updated with all things Hannah Kate Makes is to sign up to The Spooky List and receive emails straight into your inbox. You’ll find the form below.

Take care and stay spooky.

HK x