After four glorious years at LeftLion, Emily Thursfield is calling it a day and chucking us a beautiful cover on her way out the door. She tells us a bit about the process behind her artwork, and what she’s going to miss most about LL HQ...
What was the inspiration behind the cover?
During lockdown I’d decided I wanted to learn some new skills, so I turned to graphic design. I got stuck into Photoshop and after mastering masking and blending, I began to create dreamscapes of places I’d rather be using mash-ups of stock photos. For me, this one in particular symbolises new beginnings and bittersweet endings, as this is my final issue as LeftLion’s Assistant Editor.
Tell us about some projects you’ve worked on in the past…
The best part about working at LeftLion is that no two days are the same. Since my first ever article in 2016, which was essentially an idiot’s guide to the Nottingham art scene (me being the idiot), I’ve interviewed human rights lawyers, tracked down senders of antique postcards, swam in a freezing Colwick Park lake and stupidly decided to watch an episode of Most Haunted in a dark, empty National Justice Museum. Apparently, at LeftLion, no idea is a bad idea – though after our chilling experience, Ash might have changed his mind on that one.
What have you got planned for the future?
I’m leaving LeftLion to join Boots, working as a copywriter at their head office specialising in health, wellbeing and such. I joined LeftLion straight out of uni, and I think anyone in the office will attest that the growth in myself both personally and professionally has been astounding. There are so many things I’ll miss about working on this magazine, but my heart genuinely breaks at the thought of saying goodbye to a team that has become my family in this city.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell the LeftLion readers?
Thank you for continuing to read and support LeftLion. It means the world to everyone who works on it, and we all get a little spark of joy whenever we spot you flicking through the pages. Thank you all for giving me an unforgettable four years.
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