'I started Murphys Sketches after becoming a mum'

Kerri Cunningham says it feels amazing that her posts resonate with so many across the world

After the birth of her youngest child in 2021, Kerri Cunningham started sharing her personal thoughts about motherhood on Instagram under the pen name Murphys Sketches.

From the simple joys of being a parent to the unseen struggles of family life, each post was illustrated with a hand-drawn sketch.

"The way that I deal with emotions and even things that are happening around the world or in my family is to draw and write about them," says the 37-year-old, from Much Hoole in Lancashire.

Little did Kerri know when she was drawing sketches in the middle of the night in a sleep-deprived haze or scribbling down words in between the endless list of tasks that her posts would resonate with so many.

Fast forward to four years later and her Instagram account has amassed more than 720,000 followers and her posts have been shared countless times.

Kerri's love of art evolved when she was a little girl, drawing and painting whenever she had the chance.

"It was always my favourite subject at school and what I enjoyed doing most in my spare time," she says.

"I loved making up stories and drawing little pictures for them as a child."

Kerri went on to study fine art at the University of Central Lancashire before starting her career in visual merchandising.

"I really enjoyed it. At that time of my life it was perfect for me but not as much after I had my son," she says.

Kerri's posts have been shared widely on Instagram

After the birth of her first son, Murph, in 2015, she began to enjoy the art of using pencil and paper again after helping her little boy colour in dinosaur pictures.

With her love of art revitalised, she decided to start selling portraits before she began sharing more personal content on Instagram following the birth of her youngest son.

The posts document the highs, the low and the beautifully mundane bits in between.

"I think it's really important to talk about all of those things, especially if you have a following," she says.

"I would hate to ever come across as having it all together because that makes us feel a bit rubbish doesn't it?

"When somebody looks like they know exactly what they're doing we kind of question ourselves.

"I actually don't know anything that I'm doing in any context. We're all winging it."

Her posts are not solely about motherhood but also celebrate and highlight other aspects of life from the changes in seasons to messages about mental health and kindness.

Kerri created a sketch for BBC North West Tonight which features items synonymous with the region including the liver bird, Manchester bee and a Lancashire rose

She also shares posts to reflect news events happening around the world.

Her sketch following the death of Queen Elizabeth raised more than £18,000 for the NSPCC while her drawing in partnership with Tiny Treasures of Churchtown following the Southport attack in 2024 raised more than £9,000 for Alder Hey Children's Charity.

"I think it was so nice to create something that sent a message of kindness at that time," she says.

Kerri has since published two books with two more set to be published later this year and next spring.

"It feels amazing to know that my words and sketches resonate with so many across the world," she says.

"It just feels lovely in the world we live in at the moment to know that you bring some joy to people's days.

"I love that mums in particular find solace in reading my poems and knowing that they aren't alone."