Looking out of the window from her new home in Hilton, illustrator, muralist and community artist Ursula Hurst was inspired to create a new character — Swithbert Swaledale.
Parents and grandparents may be familiar with Ursula’s work, as she has illustrated a number of popular children’s books, including Christine Gabbitas’ Roo and Sarge to the Rescue, A Train Journey Through Time, Believe in the Magic of Blackburn Town Centre and Mohna Lott as well ass Rebekah Wilson’s Zed Ted and Nigel Womack’s The Angry Giant and Bea.
Ursula said: “I’ve illustrated for many wonderful authors around the country. Bea, by Nigel Womack, was voted the winner of the children’s category of the People’s Book Prize 2020.”
The sheep in the fields around her home in the Eden Valley have now inspired Ursula to write new stories accompanied by beautiful artwork.
Swithbert the Swaledale has become one of Ursula’s new popular characters.
“When a map of the Eden Valley blows into Swithbert’s field, he decides to go exploring the area, and his adventures are captured in amusing pictures and postcards,” said Ursula.
Having relocated to Hilton from Lancashire in July, she explained: “Every time I looked out of the window I saw Swaledale sheep looking back at me.
“They had such characterful faces, they inspired me to illustrate them for a story of adventure. I’ve had Swithbert doing all sorts of things — including visiting Appleby horse fair and Beatrix Potter’s farm at Hill Top.
“Swithbert meets up with a couple of other sheep, including a Herdwick friend — they are like the sheep version of Last of the Summer Wine!”
“As well as being a book illustrator, I also run community art workshops and recently created a book Drawing Hope, which encourages children to run community art projects.
“Swithbert Swaledale is my new character which is now available from Appleby and Kirkby Stephen tourist information centres.
“Drawing Hope was written to inspire the next generation of community artists. It was created after my last Arts Council-funded project of the same name which saw the creation of hundreds of beautiful wish flags, sending hopes and dreams for a brighter future into the town of Rishton.”
