Many people know our supporter Heather McLennan through her fabulous ‘Coo’ painting she donated to us for our Ball Auction and her wonderful jigsaw puzzles.

In this blog she tells us a little bit more about her herself and her relationship with It’s good 2 give.

Over to Heather:

‘I was in the travel industry for 35 years, straight from school. I started the year Edinburgh Airport opened, 1976 - ouch!

I love to walk in the country with my husband Malcolm and our dog. We have one son Sam who is studying at Glasgow Uni. I love to cook for friends and have cosy nights around a log burning stove. This pretty much sums me up.

I thoroughly loved my work in travel however, I always dabbled with a paint brush and a sketch pad.

About 7 years ago I started to take my art a little more seriously and had a few exhibition’s, always striving to get better and find my style,

I found people just love a Highland Cow and purely by mistake, ended up with a small business supplying some Scottish shops like Purdie’s of Argyll and Visit Scotland. I never intended to get big and have turned down many requests to supply to trade.

My passion is creating, and learning. Over the years I have supported various charities, from Animal Rescue, Guide Dogs and MacMillan Cancer to name but a few.

I was very fortunate to be told about It’s Good 2 Give by my friends Marion Donaldson and Cat from Artfe, so after learning a little about this amazing charity and the wonderful work and support they give to young cancer patients, I asked if I could paint one of my Highlands Cows for them and donate it to the Auction in November 2019.

For a few years I have been creating a children’s book in my head about a happy little Bumble bee called Bea and my Highland Cow Brodie, so during Lockdown last March I painted and started my story - not the easy job I thought it would be, anything but to be very honest.

Thankfully I was introduced to Susan Cohen from The Wee Book Company through a mutual friend, and much to my surprise and an even bigger surprise for Susan, she and I have produced our first book together. Susan kindly said “author’s do not write for artist’s, and definitely not after the paintings have been completed. I may add in the nicest way. But let’s see what we can do”.

So that’s exactly what has happened. She loved my characters and understood what I was trying to get over - how best friends can uplift each others spirits. She knew more about what I was trying to achieve than I did!

The first book Bea and Brodie’s Mindful Journey is just about sold out and .we are now working on our second book, Bea and Brodie’s Magical Journey. I am also delighted to say that sales of this book will be helping Its Good 2 Give with a donation from each book sold going to the charity, which for me is a win win.

It’s Good 2 Give makes you feel valued and appreciated and you know just helping a little can go a long long way."“

With Love

Heather x