At the beginning of the year, I was asked to design the cover for the upcoming issue of Leftlion, for which I have previously created several pieces. Leftlion is a local independent magazine distributed in various venues throughout Nottingham, UK, with a monthly circulation of 15,000 copies. It is produced by a team of journalists, artists, and other creatives who highlight local culture in Nottingham.
The brief did not come with many specifics other than to include some magpies, as the issue contains a story about Notts County football. I do not often draw animals but I enjoy making landscapes and I had a good idea of what I wanted to make pretty quickly. I was thinking about February, the frost and snow, we recently have become familiar with, and I was excited to create something that mirrors that and reminds us that spring is on the way. I decided to go with a golden sunrise, ensuring I tie in the colours from the Notts County logo, the magpies contrasting an otherwise muted colour palette. During a chat with my partner, a football enthusiast, he recalled childhood walks past a rusty football goal on his way to school, a relatable memory that added depth to my creation.
