I've moved my blog to my Word Press site, see all new posts there from now on
https://annawalsh.co.uk/blog/
It's my art
I've moved my blog to my Word Press site, see all new posts there from now on
https://annawalsh.co.uk/blog/
Another board game inspired piece I did earlier this year ...finally getting round to posting this, having had a bit of a blog hiatus... must do better!
Wanderers in the Re-Wilderness
A take on a on the board game ‘Wallis’s New Game of Wanderers in the Wilderness’ published in the early 19th century, a hand coloured geographical race game describing the wonders to be found in South America, a place that would have been unknown and mysterious to most people then. My version describes an imagined vision of a re-wilded Britain, with wolves, bears, bison, lynx and more! Most of these animals have lived in this country in the past, or are being considered for re-introduction. I like the idea of not needing to go to the otherside of the world to experience mystery awe and wonder.
Although this alludes to an imagined landscape, there is still much around us that can inspire such feelings if we look close enough. Something that became more apparent during the various lockdowns and people began to look closer to home for their entertainment and curiosity.
This is a handcoloured print, 420 x 594 mm. Archival digital print which is then handcoloured in watercolours. Not much room for mistakes when colouring in, so a bit of a challenge to get it right!
I am working on my Procreate skills using the ipad to 'paint', and hope to eventaully have a full colour digital version as well. 'Painting' on an ipad is quite a change from real life, so it might take some time to get used to!
Last year I entered an Ex-Libris (book plate) competition in Lithuania for Trakai Peninsula Castle, which was based on unicorns so I couldn't resist!
Back in 1962 a unicorn artefact thought to be from the 14th Century, was unearthed by archaeologists in the grounds of the caste, and has since been adopted as a symbol of the castle, and so became the subjct for this competition.
I posted off my entry to Lithuania some months ago, and I had no idea if it had arrived until I got an email in February with a copy of the catalogue that included my image. I think it was included in an exhibition in the castle but difficult to tell...
The main gist of the competition was to use the symbol of the unicorn and include the words 'Ex-Libris' and also who t was dedicated to (I chose the castle itself). My unicorn is based on the Lithuanian heavy draft horse. I did originally also have a picture of the castle in, but it it didn't work in the design so I removed it. Ex-libris are traditionally done using printmaking methods, but CGD (computer generated design) was included in this competition, although mine is originally hand drawn, the design is put together using a computer.
I have also included a design for another Ex-libris I entered, for which I was not successful, but I enjoyed making it so I thought it was worth putting up. This time it is an English shire horse with its decorations, and the 'flights' in its mane spelling out 'Ex-libris', as this time it was dedicated to me and I love shire horses!
A little project during lock-down I entered was The Trafalgar Way postcard competition. The idea was to create a postcard of a scene along the Trafalgar Way route, which runs from Falmouth in Cornwall to The Admiralty in Whitehall, London (the journey of the naval messenger who brought home the news from The Battle of Trafalgar in 1805).
I looked along the route to see which places inspire me, or I know well. As a London resident St.James's Park is one of my favourite places to visit and see the wildlife, especially the pelicans. There must have been pelicans there in 1805, possibly watching on, as apparently there have been pelicans there since 1664.
The pelicans of St. James's Park are a popular tourist attraction, the type of thing a tourist may buy a postcard of, as an unexpected oasis in the centre of busy London. St. James's Park is a stones throw from the Trafalgar way route, and in the distance you can see the lake, then Horse Guards and I think the Old Admiralty buildings along Whitehall, where the final delivery was made. The style of the postcard also echoes the 1805 era.
The closing date of the competition was originally in September, but as with many things has been extended until April next year. However, in recognition of those entries already submitted a little halfway home competition was held, and my piece was one of three selected for a prize!
Greeting from the Pelicans of St. James's Park by Anna Walsh © the artist
City Songbirds by Anna Walsh. Copyright the artist. |