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The international artist from Deal who painted her way through lockdown creating new image each week

A fashion illustrator who dressed Esther Rantzen has documented her lockdown journey by creating a new piece of artwork each week.

Linda Warren who lives in Deal has drawn from her fashion design experience of five decades to compile the growing 19 piece collection.

The artwork shows how people used the lockdown period to re-evaluate what is important
The artwork shows how people used the lockdown period to re-evaluate what is important
Many of Linda Warren's pictures show people wearing face coverings to protect themselves and others from the virus
Many of Linda Warren's pictures show people wearing face coverings to protect themselves and others from the virus

From the early days stuck at home and people's reawakening with nature to adapting to new routines like queuing and the reopening of businesses, she has cleverly depicted the tale of the pandemic onto paper.

Each illustration started as a pencil sketch before ink was added and then paint.

Ms Warren was responsible for the London underground uniform design in the 1980s and also worked closely with the British Export council.

She travelled to Japan with her work in the 1990s and was the master behind some of TV journalist Esther Rantzen's looks.

She has lived permanently at Admiralty Mews in Deal since 2015, where she delivers talks on fashion through the decades to groups including WI.

Linda Warren was responsible for the London underground uniform design in the 1980s
Linda Warren was responsible for the London underground uniform design in the 1980s
An illustration to represent the reopening of hair salons
An illustration to represent the reopening of hair salons

When lockdown hit, she had just had a knee replacement and her guest speaking appearances were all cancelled.

She said: "My art kept me going.

"I thought about what I could do and I started observing what was going on.

"The first one I did, 'Sitting it out' is a girl sitting on a beach, taking in all that's happening around her.

"The next was a woman sitting in a garden with flowers around her, showing what's important.

This piece represents the reopening of restaurants and the need for social distancing
This piece represents the reopening of restaurants and the need for social distancing

"'Book worm' is a lady reading and taking in all the information coming from the government.

"Then I started doing the cartoons; of people social distancing, pubs reopening and now I'm working on one for the beauty bars.

"They've all got reference to what was going on and people's reactions, showing people's fear but also the necessity to help the economy and not let it all collapse around our ears."

Each piece took one to two full days to create.

The originals and printed copies are for sale ranging upwards from £45 and Ms Warren is still considering whether to take part in an exhibition.

Linda Warren's lockdown collection of art
Linda Warren's lockdown collection of art

She added: "I had to use what I had in my studio, so I've recycled frames which is all part of the lessons we've learnt from lockdown; not needing to be too lavish and buy new."

She also creates greeting cards.

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