'The Company of Cranes' Part One

Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve Zoetrope' - depicting the forest, nesting Cranes, the mill and various animals sharing the habitat.

'The Company of Cranes - Part One' is the first of two exhibitions showcasing my artwork commissioned by Somerset Art Works and The Great Crane Project.

The exhibition currently running at Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust until 5th August, presents my hand-printed, narrative, steel zoetropes depicting the 'Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere' in Brandenburg and the 'Somerset levels'.  I am also delighted to be showcasing the work of pupils from Ash School in Somerset, who created their own fantastic zoetropes!

A screen shows images and short films of wildlife from the environments of both Somerset and Brandenburg and the creation of the artworks themselves. In addition I present a series of dioramas inspired by bird species from around the world.

Above and below are my finely detailed and colourful gouache illustrations, created for the zoetropes.  Also see below a short video where I make a zoetrope in my Birmingham studio in 80 seconds!

'Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve Zoetrope' - depicting Cranes in meadows, blossom trees, marsh frogs and may bugs - all of which I was lucky enough to observe whilst in the reserve.

Somerset Levels Zoetrope' - I wanted to paint the Cranes against a backdrop of vivid red accompanied by local flora including water parsnip, dandelions and bulrushes.

Making a Zoetrope in 80 seconds!

'The Company of Cranes - Part Two' will be presented during the Somerset Art Weeks festival, 21 Sept - 6 October 2013.