Jan 2025 - June 2025

 Drawing someone is a very intimate and contemplative process, both for the sitter and for the artist. Quiet conversation during the drawing process can illuminate so much more about the sitter than just a drawing ever can. 

As the project goes on, the portraits and conversations from the early stages will already be part of the past.  How will the realities of the future present have changed? My sitters are ordinary people who have a view or an experience to contribute. Some known to me, many are not.

I want this to document the realities of individuals, their joys and their concerns, big and small.  The documentation will evolve with time.  Each person’s testimonies will be forever tied to their painted portraits, to be fully shared as a body of work in 2030.  Woven into the fabric of the project are little notes recording the events at that particular time, for context.

During Covid lockdown, I learned to draw people via Zoom!  Portraits created via a screen have a different feel, but that is all part of this evolving story.  More recently, I am back to doing portraits in person, but also have Zoom as a way of reaching sitters who are further away.

Please enjoy the journey back through these posts.

30/6/25  Rap duo Bob Vylan chanted “death death death to IDF” at Glastonbury. BBC investigated for broadcasting it.

22/6/25  US makes three major bomb strikes in Iran, & has “Totally obliterated Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities.” Tehran warns of “everlasting consequences.”

20/6/25 Assisted Dying bill passed in Commons by 23 votes. Still has to go through Lords.

17/6/25 Another 50+ people killed while queuing for food at distribution centre in Gaza.

14/6/25 Iran attacks Israel, missile gets through the Iron Dome.

13/6/25 Israel attacks several Iranian nuclear facilities & carries out assassinations.

11/6/25 Air India Boeing Dreamliner crashes immediately after take-off in Ahmedabad.

9/6/25 The Gaza “Freedom Flotilla” assaulted in International waters by Israel.
- LA: National Guard rounding up 2,800 undocumented migrants from their workplaces. 1 man came to US when he was 19, now 54, has been arrested

6/6/25 Very public falling out between Trump & Musk. Tesla stock price -14%.

5/6/25   Trump - new executive order banning travel from 12 countries to US.
Winter fuel payments to be reinstated, + free school meals eligibility greatly expanded.

4/6/25   UN Security Council meeting in New York - US vetoes call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza - the only one!

1/6/25  Ukraine mount sophisticated attack on 40 fighter jets in bases deep inside Russia.

31/5/25   Israel/US draw up ceasefire plan for Gaza. Hamas doesn’t accept it.
1200 people cross channel in 1 day.

29/5/25   UN warehouse in Gaza stormed & looted.
US courts block Trumps global tariffs. He files an appeal, saying “there’s a National Emergency”

27/5/25   US wants to use “every tool” in crackdown on international students, incl. screening of applicants’ social media.
Truck delivering aid to Gaza mobbed by 1000s of hungry people.

26/5/25   Trump calls Putin “absolutely crazy” after biggest attack on Ukraine.
More lethality in Gaza + hunger. Children wasting away.

24/5/25   Trump 50% tariffs on Europe.

23/5/25   Gaza paediatrician loses 9/10 of her children in Israeli attack. Husband + 1 child survive.

22/5/25   Two Israeli embassy staff killed in Washington. Netanyahu tirade against UK, France & Canada for siding with “mass murderers, rapists & baby killers & kidnappers.”

20/5/25  UK, France & Canada threaten action against Israel over Gaza

19/5/25  Trump has 2 ½ hr phone call with Putin on long term ceasefire talks

14/5/25  Israel begins new major offensive on Gaza. Hundreds killed. Still no aid. Demanding release of all hostages.
Joe Biden cancer diagnosis

12/5/25  Zelensky to meet Putin in Istanbul. Putin no show.
New anti-immigration bill from government picks on the care sector.

8/5/25   80 year anniversary of VE day.
Pope Leo XIV elected. American Robert Prevost.

7/5/25  India strikes border of Pakistan. Killing 26.

6/5/25    India + UK sign a trade deal.

2/5/25  Local & mayoral election results - Reform win 650 + council seats, 2 mayors, + 1 MP.
All aid to Gaza stopped since 2/3/25. People getting desperate.

27/4/25  Mark Carney wins Canada election.  Defiant about Trump.
Putin announces 3 day ceasefire in May (for his military parade)

26/4/25  Funeral of Pope Francis.  Impromptu meeting beforehand between Trump + Zelenski.
Trump : “It makes me think that maybe he (Putin) doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along!”

23/4/25   Trump suggests Ukraine concedes occupied territory and accepts Crimea now Russian territory. Zelensky rejects. Trump accuses him of being “warmongering”, prolonging the “killing field”. Major attack on Kiev overnight. 
US also proposing to support ban on Ukraine joining NATO.

Online Safety Act – Ofcom says social media platforms will have to block children’s access through more robust algorithms & age verification.

21/4/25   Putin announces Easter Day truce. Zelensky says Putin troops still advancing.
Pope dies. He had managed to give Easter blessing.

18/4/25   Rocket attack on encampment – children burnt alive.  Israel suggest total disarmament of Hamas + IDF troop presence. Hamas said no.

16/4/25   Landmark Supreme Court ruling on the definition of “woman” & “sex” in the Equalities Act. These terms refer to biological woman & sex. Huge implications for single sex spaces, activities & services.

"N.P." 15/04/2025    He offered two stories, each as powerful as the other. In his work, he is totally dedicated to shining a light in the lives of young refugees, offering them education & support in their new lives. His personal journey is even more astonishing, brave and uplifting. Such a privilege to talk to him. 

"N.P."   15/04/25

13/4/25  Palm Sunday missile strike in Ukraine - 84 dead + 100’s injured. Trump says Putin “made a mistake”.

9/4/25  Trump announces a 90-day pause on all tariffs, making them all 10% – except China, making theirs 145%!

“S. K. T.”   09/04/2025  She is a British-born Palestinian. She is also an immensely creative person, “playfully creative” as she puts it, and she channels her grief at what she sees happening in Palestine into ever evolving community projects culminating in a recent visit to Palestine. Her energy is utterly infectious, and her ability to touch the lives of others is admirable. She refuses to feel powerless.

"S.K.T."   09/04/25

7/4/25  Trump threatening China with additional 50% tariff (making 104%!) .

6/4/25  Employers’ NI contribution increase begins today.

5/4/25  IDF account of killing of 15 aid workers in Gaza shown to be wrong.

4/4/25  15 people (incl. 5 children) killed in Russian missile attacks on Kryvyi Rih.

3/4/25   Trump imposes global tariffs, including 10% for UK. Stock markets all crash. China 34%, Cambodia 45%, Vietnam 46%, Taiwan 32%. All countries that supply electrical components to US.

25/3/25  US senior security officials accidentally share a group chat with journalist. About air strikes on Yemen and loathing of Europe.

24/3/25  Fifth day of nationwide protests in Turkey. Istanbul’s mayor, the only real opposition to Erdoğan, has been arrested + charged with treason.

22/3/25  More attacks both ways in Ukraine/Russia, and Israel/Gaza.

FEAR. Restriction to free speech. I can’t get anyone to talk about situation in US. They don’t want to leave any kind of footprint.

"M. F."  21/03/2025   She lives in New York City. A fascinating conversation about being older and being a woman, and celebrating ALL of that. As a journalist, she seeks out feisty older women and gets their stories. So uplifting, but with moments of reflection and inevitable worry too.

"M. F."  21/03/25

18/3/25  Trump/Putin phone call – Putin agrees to stop bombing power infrastructure, but then bombing starts. He says he will consider ceasefire if Ukraine gives up its sovereignty, and all the support/arms equipment + intelligence stops!

17/3/25  Israel resumes airstrikes on Gaza. 400+ killed incl. children. End of the ceasefire.

"L.S."   16/03/2025     Thoughts of home, back in Ukraine, at this difficult time.

"L.S."  16/03/25

16/3/25  Government planning welfare cuts by tightening eligibility & reduce benefit claims for the long-term sick & disabled.

15/3/25   Two sets of ceasefire negotiations at stalemate – Ukraine/Russia & Hamas/Israel.

13/3/25   US delegation present the ceasefire proposal to Putin, who has ‘questions’. Russian troops retaking Kursk region.

12/3/25  25% global tariff on all steel + aluminium imports to US. EU reciprocates.

11/3/25   US stock markets crash for uncertainty of Trump’s tariff policy.
US + Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia. Zelensky there, but not included.  Ceasefire plan.

9/3/25  Israel cutting off power to Gaza, so desalination plants won’t work. Israel call: release all hostages.

8/3/25  1,000 people killed in Syria as government forces clash with Assad loyalists. Mostly civilians in the Alawite community.

5/3/25  Trump says Putin ready to talk peace& doing “what anyone would do in that position”.

Egypt suggest Gaza could be administered by Palestinian Authority. Rejected by Israel.

4/3/25  White House to “temporarily freeze” military aid & intelligence to Ukraine. Insist Zelensky apologise.

2/3/25  Summit in London of European leaders incl. Zelenski. “Coalition of the Willing”.

1/3/25  Phase 1 of Gaza ceasefire extended by 2 weeks. Phase 2 still to be negotiated. Israel stops aid convoys.

28/2/25  Starmer returns from hasty Trump visit. Invitation from King handed over.
Later, Zelenski meets Trump. Public session + Oval Office with angry Trump + JD Vance. Zelenski publicly humiliated. Rare mineral deal is off, Zelenski + team told to leave. Told to apologise to Trump. Was it a deliberate ambush?

27/2/25  4 bodies of Israeli hostages handed over & 600+ Palestinians released.

26/2/25  Increase in UK defence spending from 2.3% to 2.5% by 2027, funds taken from cuts to overseas aid budget.  Zelenski deal with Trump over access to Ukraine’s rare earth deposits.

19/2/25   Trump accusing Zelenski of starting war & being a “dictator”. He’d “better move fast or he is not going to have a country left”!

18/2/25  Russia says no European boots in Ukraine after ceasefire.

17/2/25  European leaders meet in Paris to discuss defence & Ukraine.

15/2/25   3 more hostages released + Palestinian prisoners.
Plans for top US + Russia officials to meet in Saudi Arabia. Europe and Ukraine left out.

14/2/25 Large meeting of security chiefs & world leaders in Munich. Trump says he will meet Putin in Autumn - Zelenski insists on being involved. US to withdraw $$ support for Ukraine, unless Ukraine hands over its rare earth deposits.

11/2/25  King Abdullah of Jordan visits White House.

10/2/25 Gaza threatening to delay hostage releases because Israel not upholding their ceasefire commitments. Trump says If ALL the hostages are not released by midday Saturday, then “all hell will break loose”.

7/4/25 Trump sanctions ICC because it posted a warrant for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

5/2/25 This was officially the hottest Jan on record at 1.75°c above pre-industrial levels.

4/2/25 Netanyahu in Washington. Trump announces US will “take over Gaza”.
He wants to rebuild & create “The Riviera of the Middle East”.
Palestinians can live elsewhere – Jordan, Egypt & Saudi Arabia.
Musk closes down USAID calling it “a vipers nest of dedicated left-wingers who hate America”.

1/2/25 Astra-Zeneca pulls out of deal to build new plant in the UK .

31/1/25 Air crash over Washington. Trump blames Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity policies!

"K.N"  30/01/2025   Award winning for her enterprise to tackle food waste through creating delicious meals from unwanted commercial produce. Why doesn’t every food retailer/supermarket do this?

"K.N."  30/01.25

30/1/25  3 more Israeli hostages released
Trump - 25% trade sanctions on Canada & Mexico  & 10% China imports. Outrage.  Canada retaliates with 25%.

28/1/25 Go ahead for runway 3 at Heathrow announced.       Gaza – 3 Israelis & 5 Thai released, crushed in a baying mob.

27/1/25 80 year anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz.
1000s of Palestinians walk back north, knowing there is no home, no sanitation, no shelter.  UNWRA still banned by Israelis.
Chinese “cheap chips” mean the US Nvidia (chips manufacturer) lost $600bn in one day – wiping $1 trillion off global stocks.

25/1/25   US halts nearly all foreign aid for 90 days.
Trump arrests 1000s illegal immigrants to fly them home. Sent 2 military plane loads back to Columbia.
4 female soldiers named as next to be released from Gaza. 91 hostages left, of which maybe 57 alive?
Belarus elections – Lukashenko wins again 86.8% vote. 30 years in power. Opposition in jail or exile.

22/1/25  Trump’s message to Economic Forum in Davos: move your business to US or face crippling import duties.

21/1/25   Episcopal bishop of Washington calls on Trump to “have mercy upon communities targeted by his new policies.” Immigration & LGBTQ+. “Fears for their lives.”

20/1/25   3 women hostages released from Gaza + 90 Palestinian prisoners. Very visible Hamas fighters.
Donald Trump becomes President. + JD Vance his VP. Ceremony held indoors because of arctic conditions. Lined up behind were all the tech gen bosses. Trump signs many executive orders. Undone all of Biden’s recent EOs. Pulled out of Paris Climate Agreement & WTO. Declared National Emergency on Mexico border. “Drill, baby, drill” in remarks.

17/1/25  TikTok ban due to come in to US, then 'saved' by Trump.     Another 30 Palestinians killed despite ceasefire agreed.

15/1/25  Gaza ceasefire terms agreed. Phase 1 begins in 5 days. Release of women, children + injured.

"K.L."  15/01/2025    She has made a real difference to families who have a family member in prison. She talks about our current prison system and the difficulties it faces, and the effects on those held within it. A tough conversation.

"K.L."  15/01/25

8/1/25   Catastrophic fires in residential LA. No water to fight them, water table has been drained.

7/1/25  Trump wants to make Canada the 51st State. Justin Trudeau steps down as PM.

6/1/25   Robert Jenrick (Con) says “The scandal started with the maker of mass migration … importing hundreds of thousands of people from alien extremist cultures.”

5/1/25  In Gaza 200+ civilians killed in 4 days.       Elon Musk to donate many mil $ to UK Reform party.

1/1/25   New Year’s Day – Truck driven into a crowd in New Orleans