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NATURE FROM A CHILD’S PERSPECTIVE
12 February 2013
This is a stand alone piece of work to be integrated into a public space to promote a wider understanding of how children creatively integrate and shape the living world.
Shown are three of a series of artworks created by engaging the young as inspiration.
ORGAN DONATION ARTWORK – MORE FEEDBACK
21 November 2012
On Monday our project also featured in the Yorkshire Evening Post. We have received even more positive feedback including the quote below. Other quotes appear on our gallery page where the Royal Berkshire Hospital Organ Donation Art features.
“The mural is absolutely terrific and captures the essence of what it all means. From chrysalis to butterfly – anyone who’s had a donation will know exactly how that feels.”
Retired Minister, Tilehurst Free Church, Reading, Berkshire
AMAZING FEEDBACK FOR ORGAN DONATION ARTWORK – “BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST SUCH TRIBUTE IN THE COUNTRY”
16 November 2012
Wow! Since the Organ Donation artwork has been installed it’s been a roller coaster of news reports and amazing reviews!
On Wednesday 14 November transplant patients were invited into the Royal Berkshire Hospital to meet the media at a press launch for the project. On that day it featured on the BBC Local News (Oxford) during breakfast, lunch and evening broadcasts!
Click on the link below to view our edited version of the BBC News coverage on Vimeo https://vimeo.com/53601432
It was also included in their local newspaper and achieved international fame when it featured on the Organ & Tissue Donation Blog based in California!
Feedback has included:
“Spanning a wall, the eye-catching butterflies come alive with a striking 3D effect, which also promotes a powerful message to the people who have given ‘the gift of life’ and will hopefully inspire others to become donors.”
Before his double lung transplant two years ago, Tilehurst man Richard Burbedge could not walk without being linked to an oxygen supply. About the ‘sculpture’ he said: “It provokes thought about organ donation, but is also a sign of being reborn. The enormity of the piece really helps to get the message across. Organ donation has transformed my life beyond recognition. It’s the greatest gift that you can give. And if you’ve never talked about it, please do, as you could be someone’s hero as my donor is to me. It’s an incredible gift.”
STUNNING ARTWORK TO COMMEMORATE ORGAN DONATION AT THE ROYAL BERKSHIRE NHS HOSPITAL
7 November 2012
Early this Saturday we travelled 200+ miles to oversee the installation of our latest project. It’s been a long time waiting for the final go-ahead, but as you can see from the photos, all totally worth it!
We visited our specialist printers earlier in the week; to double-check all was proceeding to plan. At first the cut-out butterflies were to be printed onto 3mm rigid PVC, but due to strict fire regulations at the hospital a new material had to be researched. In fact, we prefer the black edge on the aluminium Dibond that was finally used. Thanks to all at Digital Plus in Leeds for completing their labour intensive and exceptional commission.
When we arrived at the Royal Berkshire Hospital the installation team had already wheeled the scissor lift into place. They worked calmly and professionally throughout the day, starting with applying the flat butterflies directly to the freshly repainted wall, then drilling and fixing the three-dimensional butterflies. All under our guidance and perfectly in place! I always feel very nervous while watching our latest piece of art being applied to the wall, but I had no need to worry. So a big thank you also goes to Chris and John who were extremely proficient and did an excellent job.
Though the installation was completed on a Saturday, when the hospital is less busy, there were still plenty of people passing through. Gauging their reactions was a feast for my senses; all were amazed and delighted with their hospital’s new piece of art. Being near a couple that stood for a moment reading the message; I overheard their conversation. The husband asked, “Do we have Organ Donor Cards?” To which his wife replied, “I think so, but I’ll check when we get home!” So not only is the beauty of the artwork appreciated, but it is also succeeding in its goal – encouraging people to register as organ donors!
After viewing the project on my computer for some months it is always reassuring that when installed it appears just how I had envisaged. The three dimensional butterflies, fixed with spacers 25mm off the wall, are larger at the edges of the artwork reinforcing the feel that they are flying in towards the heart shape, gathering together to form and aid in the ‘gift of life’!
We always pay a great deal of attention to detail and butterflies indigenous to the locality of the hospital were chosen, especially specific butterflies whose colours would work harmoniously in their surroundings.
ILLUSTRATIONS – GEOMETRIC OR BLOWSY?
26 October 2012
As funding in hospitals tighten we have needed to find work through our other sources, and therefore have been concentrating more on graphic design projects such as: packaging, exhibition design, leaflets, copywriting and illustration.
One particular pitch for a hospital in London that was almost at commission stage was suddenly cut short through lack of funds. Would I have to consign all my creative ideas that had been flowing throughout the pitch to the bin? Determined not to let this happen I consequently have been letting my creative thoughts take flight during in-between phases of work.
Over the years I have taken many photographs of plants in our garden. Realising that when viewed closely many flower heads can be de-constructed into repeat patterns, I have taken their structured form and contrasted them against their irregular leaves. This is now a self-initiated project to excite and expand on, as I can see many variations of patterns in the assortment of flower forms found in our garden. I have created each as a separate image, though this was never my final objective, as I had intended to amalgamate them into gardens of geometric plants, to fill and brighten bare healthcare walls and also using feature shapes to aid in wayfinding.
Another concept could be viewed as separate ‘pictures’, exploiting more blowsy flower forms. I have taken my initial illustration and used it as an experiment, pushing it further down a route to its conclusion until it resembled etched glass windows. I could envisage this style printed onto Perspex, mounted using spacers to lift them clear from the walls to further highlight their vibrancy. These flowers also have a tie-die feel that could be further carried onto fabric, such as privacy curtains around hospital beds.
A TUNNEL OF LEAVES – MY FIRST PUBLISHED NOVEL
29 August 2012
Over the last two years, whenever I could string together a few days or a week here and there, I have been working hard on writing a book. This, my first novel, started life as separate tales of our totally naive experiences of setting up home in a ramshackle old cottage buried deep in beautiful natural woodland.
I have written each chapter in an amusing and poignant style, starting in the more comfortable present then reverting back to tell the tale of how this was achieved. Looking back, I’m not sure I could now endure all the hardships we went through, but at the time every event turned into a comical adventure.
The overwhelming love we felt for our location, discovering the joys of wildlife on our doorstep, were at complete odds to the dirt and squalor we endured while renovating our home. Our almost violent clashes with workmen were countered by the deep friendships we built up with delightful, sometimes quirky neighbours. Well they had to be quirky to live in the middle of a wood – didn’t they?
I have, for now, self-published my finished book as an e-book to be read by anyone who owns a Kindle. And of course, as a graphic designer, I have designed and illustrated the front cover. Over the next few months I will be marketing my book in various ways, including going down the route of publishing hard copies through CreateSpace on Amazon. This is to make my novel available to all those who prefer to hold a book in their hands; which as an avid reader myself, is what I prefer.
If you wish to check out ‘A Tunnel of Leaves’ click on the link below –
Butterfly Organ Donation Memorial
14 August 2012
We are now in the final stages of creating a massive and inspiring artwork – a lasting memorial specially created as a big thank you to all those people who have registered, and who have become, an organ donor at a specific hospital in England. Butterflies indigenous to the locality of the hospital are used to create an exciting, attention-grabbing piece of art – an artwork that adds beauty to the space whilst delivering its vitally important message.
We are very excited about the project and would love to tell you more, but unfortunately the hospital wishes to keep this exclusive project under wraps for just a little while longer. We will of course be revealing all in a later blog!
Building Better Healthcare feature Yarm Heritage Display
2 May 2012
The following link takes you through to the feature.
A SNEAK PREVIEW
24 February 2012
Received a load of photos yesterday from Praxis, the printers who are producing the Yarm mural as a banner for the new Medical Centre.
Thanks for the photos, it looks fantastic! Can’t wait to see it installed.
YARM RESEARCH AND SCANNING
15 February 2012
Here I am (Karen) photographed while contemplating an image just scanned in from the archives in Yarm Town Hall.
We both spent an enjoyable day in Yarm; it’s lovely to get out and about. On our research days, Tony and myself work together to achieve the best results in the shortest possible timescale. Tony photographs 3D objects like shields, trophies, medals, etc., and also helps to take apart framed images so that I can scan them at a high resolution. All images are replaced carefully back into their frames, we take along plenty of tape, a small hammer and a tin of tacks specially for the job!
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