WHEN the world of 24/7 news, war, climate change, and day-to-day life get too much, where do you go to escape?
For me, after busy days as a journalist for the Telegraph & Argus, I have both a 2D and 3D answer.
When I’m not travelling and sightseeing in the UK and Europe, I find myself drawing the colourful places that I’ve seen on paper.
Growing up in Pudsey, I was an arty, pen-obsessed child. It makes sense as the daughter of two bookworms and a mum who is highly skilled at sewing. My days were spent reading books, making my own stories up, filming magic shows and even teddy bear catwalks with my brother and friends, and painting.
Details include Lazienka Park in Warsaw, a Toulouse park and a ginger cat spotted in Capri (Image: Lebar Prints) My ‘Aunt’ Valerie, from my family’s Barnoldswick side, once taught me how to use watercolours on a visit to our house.
When I wasn’t writing magazines made out of printer paper stapled together, you’d find me with some form of pen, pencil or paint brush.
My passion continued through my school years with art teachers inspiring me along the way.
But, as life goes, days became busier and busier as I worked to get my qualifications on the job as an apprentice and trainee at local newspapers.
Writing has been a passion that got me to where I am today, without a degree, as a digital reporter and audience & content editor at the Telegraph & Argus. My job is a privilege that helps me share the stories I continue to love telling.
It wasn’t until I took myself off on a solo trip to Toulouse that I was brought back to making art.
As a Francophile who wanted to perfect my language skills, I spent my days wandering around the Pink City, making friends in cafes, and exploring museums.
On an evening I would head home via the supermarket and boulangerie for a fresh, warm baguette and sit down to draw. It reignited something in me that I didn’t even realise I was missing.
Part of the Leeds Kirkgate Market print, left, and a little drawing of Calls Landing in Leeds I didn’t realise how much some people require the act of creating to lead happy lives.
Making art makes me feel better. I go for a walk and admire more of what’s around me now.
If you’re feeling sad or overwhelmed, just draw. It doesn’t have to be good or an exact copy of what you’re looking at. Pick up a cheap pack of pencils and paper, get outside, find 10 things you like – even if it’s something as silly as curly wrought iron railings or a cool door knocker.
I am following a creative mission to bring the world to people’s walls. Under the name ‘Lebar Prints’, I use a mix of pencil and pen and sometimes layer small pieces of drawings on top of one another to add depth.
‘Lebar Prints’ is an ode to my late Nana, Mavis Lebar, who worked as a former primary school assistant at Waterloo Primary School and had a passion for travelling.
My love for seeing the world must have been handed down in my genes with my Nana and her two daughters often exploring what can be seen at home and abroad.
Natasha with her late Nana, Mavis Lebar
My Nana’s garden actually had corners dedicated to the places she loved – from a seaside theme inspired by Scarborough, one of her favourite places, to a sunny seating area which took her back to Barbados. I hope I can carry on the legacy of what it means to be a Lebar girl through my work.
When it comes to my local prints, I have drawn Saltaire, Fulneck, locations around Leeds including the historic Kirkgate Market. From Pierre Bonnard to Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, the colourful artworks are inspired by Impressionism and vintage film posters.
Details in the Fulneck and Saltaire prints (Image: Lebar Prints) The Saltaire print draws from old cigarette cards I’ve collected from my pen pals over the years. I want my artwork to take people from the river Aire to places like Porto, Barcelona and Capri.
Other locations include Warsaw, Wroclaw and Toulouse.
My most recent project has seen me turn Farsley and Rodley into a colourful, 2D world on paper. It features a long-standing shop, Sutcliffe’s, where my Grandma used to take me and my brother as a child.
Drawing of Park Guell, Barcelona (Image: Lebar Prints) Capturing a sense of nostalgia is important for me as an artist – the places we live and visit are the stages upon which we play out our lives.
My recent Farsley commission is going to a family who have just welcomed a baby into the world.
The places in that print – like Sunny Bank Mills and Mill Kitchen – are going to be places that little girl grows up around.
Often we forget to see the beauty that is all around us.
Example – showing Farsley Cenotaph and Sutcliffe’s – of how paper is layered and cut out in prints (Image: Lebar Prints)
I do love drawing Europe’s beautiful cities but I am always drawn back to home.
Sometimes you can paint your soul on a page, turning memories into colours of ink, by going off piste.
I hope my artwork reminds people that there is truly so much worth seeing in the world. It can be wildly intricate like Casa Batllo in Barcelona or the face of a grumpy-looking cat peeping out from a house window.
Notice more and you’ll notice yourself truly living.
l If there’s anywhere you’d like Lebar Prints to draw next, email lebarprints@gmail.com or message on Instagram via @lebarprints
To see my artworks visit www.lebarprints.co.uk