The Old Burrow



The Old

Burrow





About



THE story






Part hobbit hole, part mad hatters tea party, The Old Burrow's rambling tunnels are portals into the Forest of the Imagination.

For me, it is a creative sanctuary that sits quietly between the worlds. A space where there is an intangible quality of peace and silence that is so alive with potential.

from this space I become a witness to a kaleidoscope of visions from the imaginal realms, a vantage point to bare witness to the spectacular landscape of story, and I can quite honestly say that I don't know what my pencil will draw next.



THE aspiration





My humble aspiration is to keep a portal open for all those who love the imagination, whether that be through a simple greetings card, original art or an illustrated book.

Inspired by the landscape of fairy-tales and reminiscent of a bygone era, my watercolours have been described as delicate, detailed and whimsical. It is my hope that these ethereal images may be a portal through which one is returned to that silent space upon which the imagination plays and wise truths are told. Where wonder and awe may yet again be the language of of the heart.

Adorning our homes with images that inspire our hearts, helps us to create our own sanctuary. A place to restore peace, health and to encourage joy and creativity.





Process





I regularly have no real memory of how a sketch is created but once it is done, I transfer it to Arche watercolour paper and start the slow and patient process of laying down washes.



layers





As the layers build, a small portal to another world is created and I begin to become aware of the landscape outside the picture frame, and a beautiful calm that seems to be a substrate for all things both imagined and real.



coming to life





I often save the eyes til last. Once they are, in the creature immediately has soul mood and character



becoming real





About halfway through, the artwork now has its own gravity. No longer hidden in the mists of imagination, it is well on its way to becoming real.



Finished piece





The artwork is created with high quality pigments Arche paper. Each piece can take between 30 and 50 hours from sketch to finished piece. After spending so much time in the scene and with the characters I can have a sense of not wanting the painting to finish, or wanting to climb into the scene. It can sometimes be difficult to let go of a piece and to start another.


Contact



The Old Burrow