Last week I decided, as it was sunny and the floods had drained away, to go and visit my lions once more in Bournemouth before they get taken away for their final farewell at the charity auction on September 18th at The Pavillion in Bournemouth.
I must admit I have grown rather fond of my lions and have had so many wonderful comments form people about my painting designs, it has truely been wonderful being part of such a great event and I will be sad to see them go. Hopefully my sponsors will buy them back so I will they will remain in my town for me and all to enjoy... I'll let you know if I find out if any are staying in Bournemouth.
I was awarded three lion commissions by Pride in Bournemouth, in association with The Born Free Foundation for the public art event in Bournemouth June - September 2011. My illustrative style is carried through into the designs painted onto the lions.
'Britannia' - Britannia LeatherBarrows - Inspired by travel and the unity of countries, this design sees the blending of flags and abstracted forms of the shapes of different countries flowing around the contours of the lion.
'Gem Deco' - The Cumberland Hotel Bournemouth - Inspired by the magnificent Art Deco building and luxurious interior decoration of The Cumberland, this lion features the icon designs of sunbeams and palm trees of the Art Deco and Retro eras. This lion was chosen to feature in the Bournemouth Pride awards ceremony in the BIC, Bournemoouth's Internationl Centre, in spring 2011.'Born to be Free' - Landrover - This design incorporates the strong brand colours of Landrover into a beautiful illustrative butterfly design with the words 'Born to be Free' flowing through the design. This prize-winning design symbolises freedom to live and is in line with ethics of Landrover and the Born Free foundation. This Lion was also chosen to attend Virginia McKenna's celebrity 80th Birthday held at the Savoy London in spring 2011.
