Lucy Clare Dunbar - Recovering from blindness to sketch Dame Maggie Smith

In this episode, I sit down with the immensely talented artist and illustrator, Lucy Clare Dunbar, at Highclere Castle. Lucy shares her journey into becoming an illustrator, influenced by her father's artistry, and her love for drawing from a young age. She discusses the challenges she faced, particularly losing her sight due to health issues, and how drawing became a form of therapy for her. 

Her sight eventually returned, giving her a profound appreciation for life. We delve into her book 'The Book of Gifts,' which combines her heartfelt sketches and words that reflect her personal experiences and hopes to uplift others. Lucy also talks about her creative family, her process of combining words with sketches, and how she draws inspiration from everyday moments and her beloved pets. Her story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the importance of living in the present.

01:35 Lucy's Artistic Journey

02:00 Overcoming Adversity

03:43 Family of Artists

04:37 The Book of Gifts

06:42 The Creative Process

13:16 Love for Animals

16:18 Living in the Moment

You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

New episodes are published on the first day of every month. 

Transcript

Welcome to my podcast. I'm sitting in a beautiful room on the south side of Highclere Castle, and I have a very special guest with me today, Lucy Clare Dunbar. Welcome, Lucy. Thank you so much for joining me today.

Thank you for having me.

Have you ever been to Highclere before?

No, I'm living the dream right now!

I've got your book, The Book of Gifts, which I adore, and I met you because you're a hugely talented artist and illustrator. Unbeknownst to me, I had found this wonderful sketch of Maggie Smith from the back in a long purple dress coat, walking away. Of course, she did walk away from us—she sadly died in 2024, having been on this earth for 89 years, and working as an actor until she was 88. It was such an amazing sketch that I wanted to find out who had sketched it.

It was me!

It was just so lovely, and it led me to discover some of your other works and sketches. Instagram is an amazing way of sharing and bringing people into your world as an illustrator. You have a very clear, identifiable style. As an author, one finds a tone, and obviously, as an illustrator, you have to find a certain personality. But I'm fascinated—how did you first become an illustrator?

Gosh, it's quite a long story. My dad is actually an artist as well. He's an animator. I was brought up drawing. There are five of us kids, and we were always drawing. We'd go out for dinner, and he'd whip out the drawing pads to keep us entertained. I studied art at school, then went on to study at college, which is where things started to get a bit tricky because I had quite a lot of health issues that led to me losing my sight.

Did you lose it completely?

Yes, it's always strange to talk about. It wasn't completely black; I could still see shapes, but I was clinically blind. I couldn't cross the road by myself, write on paper, or draw anymore—it had become so bad. Somehow, through that, I continued to sketch, not really knowing what I was drawing. Drawing is my therapy, it's how I process the world. When people pass by, I sketch for them—it's me processing what's happening in the world and helping others too. It's the biggest honour to be able to do that.

How long did it take for your sight to return enough to sketch confidently again?

In total, the whole process took around two years. Once diagnosed, the turnaround was about five months. Going from not seeing to having pretty normal vision again was amazing—a real gift. I feel like I got a second chance. Many of my drawings are based on what I went through, knowing even in the darkest times there's hope. That's the message I want to give people.

Can your siblings sketch as you do?

Oh, my family is so talented! My older sister has her own wallpaper business, my older brother is an amazing artist, and another sibling is a graphic designer. Like medicine might run in other families, art runs in ours. It's just a part of us.

Is your father still sketching?

He’ll sketch forever; it's part of him. He wakes up, and if he doesn't draw, he feels like the day's incomplete. He's retired, but he loves it. His passion inspires me.

Your book, The Book of Gifts, has such lovely words. Are they your own?

Some are things I've heard or advice I've been given, but mostly it's from my heart. My Instagram is like my journal, and this book is an insight into my life. Early on, I realised we're all similar—we all have feelings and go through tough times. It links us together.

What's wonderful about your sketches and words is they're about leading out of darkness into the light. Your illustrations are incredibly positive and uplifting. So, are you led by the words or by a vision?

People usually think the sketch comes first, but actually, about 90% of the time it's the words that come first. It's genuinely what I'm experiencing during the day; it's my way of getting emotions out.

Your work comes across as authentic. At Highclere, we aim for authenticity as well, sharing thoughts, courage, and visions without selling things. It's about creating happiness or thoughtfulness.

I've been here a couple of hours and already feel part of the family—you're letting people into your world, which is beautiful.

No world is perfect or uncomplicated, is it?

Never!

Is this your first book?

Yes, my first.

Your illustrations are lovely. There's one about spring being a sign from nature, with a man and dog. Did you sketch that quickly or did it evolve?

I have a short attention span, so usually, I draw quickly and share immediately. My dad says it's a gift—I don’t overwork pieces because I want them authentic and in-the-moment.

Do you use watercolours?

It's mixed media. After losing my sight, I transitioned to using an iPad with Procreate, allowing me to zoom in, which really helped.

Why are so many characters drawn from behind?

From behind, people can project their own emotions and experiences. After losing my sight, I learned to recognise people by small details like their walk or stance. I love capturing someone's character that way.

Your quotes often emphasise the importance of time and being present. Is that deliberate?

With my health issues, I realised early that tomorrow isn't guaranteed—the only reality is now. Being with loved ones truly matters, especially during festive times like Christmas.

Did you go to art college?

Yes, I did an art foundation, which was challenging—I was told I’d never be an illustrator! Then I studied fashion graphics at university, thinking it was more practical. My illustration career began during COVID when no one was hiring.

You have several animals in your work. Were you brought up with pets?

Yes, dogs and cats. I had a Cavachon who was very special. My work often focuses on pet loss because animals truly become part of us. I've always loved animals; I initially wanted to be a vet.

Do you have dogs now?

Not currently—trying to convince my mum!

I have nine dogs, perhaps a few too many! During COVID, they were incredibly comforting and helped me stay positive. Dogs truly live in the moment.

Absolutely! That's something I want to highlight—the magic of the little moments.

One of your quotes says, "Home isn't a place, it's a feeling." I'm currently writing about the sense of home at Highclere, exploring what makes a house a home beyond furnishings—it's about atmosphere and personality.

Highclere isn't just my home—it's been home to many and is now a reassuring place for visitors. We encourage guests to live in the moment without phones or Wi-Fi.

Your books emphasise humanity, kindness, and connection—like Winnie the Pooh, who's also my hero.

Mine too! Pooh leads with love, which everyone connects with.

When publishing, did your publishers ask for specific illustrations?

No, they let me share whatever felt right. My goal was always just to help at least one person feel less alone.

You include a lot of music references—do you listen to music while working?

I always have background noise—music, podcasts, even rain sounds. Growing up in a big family, constant noise feels comforting.

You're one of five children?

Yes, second youngest.

I'm one of six sisters, so I also appreciate constant noise. I write to classical music—it helps the brain relax.

My dad listens to classical music when drawing. I prefer podcasts for chatter around me.