A Mossy Story illustration workshop

Art and Energy recently commissioned south-west based writer and performer, Micha Colombo, to write a short story for primary school aged children. The story’s inspiration was to come from our How to Bury the Giant work with themes of mosses, climate action, giants and tiny actions for a brighter greener future. Micha has written A Mossy Story, a story of Jay and his Nana who meet Tina the magnificent Tardigrade as they daydream deep into the miniature magical world of mosses, seeking inspiration for how to defeat the carbon giant. A Mossy Story is available as an audio book but our long term aim is to publish an e-book and if funding allows a printed version too.

With this in mind, Art and Energy recently approached a group of illustration students from the University of Plymouth and asked them to spend the day with us. We challenged them to be inspired by mosses and tardigrades and to listen to A Mossy Story and then come up with some designs for the characters and plotlines. The group used a variety of mixed media to sketch and draw their ideas, some used electronic design software for digital creations too.

Our thanks to Mikayla Shuker, Lily Holdsworth, Mali Merttens, Esme Midwinter, Devon Tipping, Jamie England and Beth Bennett for joining us on the day. We love all the designs and ideas and are really excited to bring A Mossy Story alive with your illustrations.