How this Southsea artist is adding colour to lockdown

There were the billboards in Goldsmith Avenue during Covid Art Ads first wave on April 27. Picture: Habibur Rahman

In April, Annabel Innes, from Southsea founded her project called Covid-19 Art Ads. Together with some of Portsmouth's local artists, she has worked with Billboard Media to transform the once-empty billboards in Goldsmith Avenue into large motivational artworks during lockdown.

The project, which runs in waves and updates the artwork every two weeks, has evolved. Now, Annabel wants everyone to have the chance to create some art of their own using the colouring-in templates submitted, such as the one above.

Annabel, a graphic designer from Southsea, explains: ‘When I came up with the project, I thought it would be really nice to see artwork encouraging people to keep going, stay safe and support each other. The colouring-in templates are just another arm of the project.

Mimic Design's artwork for children to colour in. Credit: Mimic Design, mimicdesign.com

‘I thought it would be something fun and free for children and families to do together during this tough time.’

Artists transform Goldsmith Avenue billboards with uplifting work

Annabel has spoken to six artists who will be creating colouring templates to be published in The News in the coming weeks.

The first one has been created by Southsea-based artist, Mimic Design, with the important message of staying apart while supporting each other.

You can download the colouring template by clicking on the link here.

The 34-year-old says: ‘A lot of the illustrations which were sent to me by artists lent themselves really well for colouring-in templates.

‘They are so fun, bright and colourful.

‘I know a lot of people have seen the artwork but I wanted it to reach more people. And this is a great way of doing that.’

Annabel says she was inspired by seeing so many NHS rainbows in people’s windows.

She adds: ‘This is just an extension of what people are already doing which is more personal to Portsmouth.

‘Lots of people seem to have got really behind the rainbow drawings.

‘I though they might like another easy way to show support literally at ground level.’

For more information about Covid-19 Art Ads, go to @covid19artads on Instagram.

We would love to see your coloured-in creations to share on our website.

Send pictures of them to [email protected].