Hillside Horse Magazine Collage

I spotted this beautiful horse while visiting the Hillside animal sanctuary when we were on holiday at nearby Cromer.  This is an A3 magazine collage, no paint used.

Hillside Horse Magazine Collage

It was a lovely sunny day and the field was full of lovely daisies which I was keen to include.

My original photograph

I decided to use an reclaimed frome for this piece and was so pleased with the match!

Hillside Horse in reclaimed frame

This is available as an A6 greetings card in my shop on EcoCreate

Hillside Horse Eco Print Card

'Napoleon's Surrender' Magazine Collage Commission

A2 Magazine collage commission based on Napoleon's Surrender. As with all my work it is created entirely from ripped and cut upcycled magazines. No paint was used.

'Napoleon's Surrender' Magazine Collage Commission

A very different piece for me but one I enjoyed working on. Having had a request for a collage of some three deck war ship’s I directed the client to the flickr gallery of the National library who had recently released many copyright free images of ships. A line drawing of Napoleon’s surrender was selected.

The colours used were inspired by the painting of Geoff Hunt who’s work has been used for the Patrick O’Brien Master & Commander series of novels.

I loved seeing this piece come to life, I was really pleased with the original rough sketch where we decided what to keep and focus on.

Rough Sketch For Napoleon's Surrender

The sea took on a life of it's own, loved capturing the movement and experimenting with technique.

Sea & Sky completed, spray was added at the end.

Loved the light and dark in this piece especially the shadows in the sails

Details from Napoleon's surrender

The piece was framed in a reclaimed wood frame by Alan at Roaring tree.

Napoleon's Surrender Framed

This piece is available as a card or print through my shop on EcoCreate

Air Arts Exhibition Derby Royal Hospital

I was thrilled to have my work selected again to be part of the Air Arts trail at Royal Derby Hospital. The arts trail is part of ongoing efforts at the hospital to improve the environment for patients, staff and visitors.

Royal Derby Hospital Air Arts Trail

My collages can be found on level 3. There are booklets available at the hospital with a a map locating all the artwork that can be found there. The exhibition runs until June 2016.

The exhibition was launched 27th January, several of the artists had work for sale and it was a great opportunity to meet others involved.

My stand at the launch event

Magazine Collage Commission 'Reed Family'

This A2 magazine collage commission was intended to be a Christmas gift but unfortunately the photographs weren't given to me in time. The receiver was thrilled to receive a bonus Christmas gift in January instead!

Reed Family Magazine Collage Commission

Inspired by my 'For Kicks' collage, it was wonderful to work on another autumnal piece. The technique lends it'self beautifully when creating the effect of fallen leaves.

'For Kicks' Magazine collage

The composition was made up of several photographs, making the required changes to clothing and placement.  The coat was changed on the son and the figures arranged altogether. This was a favourite local walk so it was important the details in the surrounding were accurate.

Client image

Client image

Client image

Client image

Fairytales, Myths & Legends Exhibition Launch

I love being a partner at EcoCreate. What a fantastic way to start 2016! We had a wonderful time on Saturday as we gathered to celebrate the launch of our eco and upcycled art exhibition ‘Fairytales, Myths & Legends’.

The exhibition aims to highlight the issues surrounding climate change and showcases the work of fourteen UK artists Learn More

Red Ridinghood - Let's Pretend

My 'Red Ridinghood' from my new 'Let's Pretend' series was included in the exhibition although Charlotte and I excluded ourselves from the awards. Stunning frame by Roaring tree.

During the event the winners of our Gold, Silver and Bronze awards were announced. The awards were made by the talented Keith Lynn of KL Metal art.

The recipients were chosen by our panel of judges Michelle from Remade In Britain, Olivia form Preloved and Jen from Make do and mend-able.

We were thrilled that Michelle and Olivia were able to join us on the night to announce the winners and help present the awards.

& the winner is…..

The Gold Award was presented to Elizabeth Blades for ‘How does your garden grow?’

The Silver Award was presented to Kate Whiting for Rising Dawn Phoenix Shawl

The Bronze Award was presented to Jacquelyn Cook for Fairy Wood

How absolutely amazing is this cake we had made for the launch!? Thank you so much to  James and the giant cake for creating it for us Can you spot your favourite Fairytale?

Fairytale Cake – James & The Giant Cake
The exhibition will run from 5th – 29th January 2016 Monday – Friday 10am until 3pm. Viewing outside of these times is by appointment only.
Banks Mill Studios 71 Bridge Street Derby DE1 3LB

'Rutland Wedding' Magazine Collage Commission

This A3 magazine collage is one of the most detailed to date! This was commissioned and gifted to the bride and groom for their first Christmas as husband & wife.

'Rutland Wedding' Magazine Collage Commission

With the clients permission I did use my artistic licence to alter the composition in order to make sure the piece worked on this smaller scale. The main focus was to be on the bride and groom with the guests being alluded to without prominence. I was particularly pleased with how I was able to catch the light from the window and decided to make a feature of this and the stunning chandeliers.

At this scale I think this maybe one of the most detailed pieces to date and one of the most challenging. 

Client Image

Client Review  

I've never commissioned a piece of art before, but had seen Kirstie's work and wanted to have a unique and creative piece to capture the mood of the wedding of our elder son and daughter in law. 

The collage is beyond our expectation - the colours are so bright and the movement in the Bride's hair can even be imagined. We are thrilled and the Bride and Groom are enraptured They had tears in their eyes when they first saw their surprise Christmas gift - they looked at each other and said "it's us". It has taken pride of place in their home as a reminder of that wonderful moment when they were pronounced husband and wife. Thank you Kirstie for creating such a superb piece as a permanent reminder of such a life changing moment. 

Alison Rutland

Magazine Collage Commission 'Horses'

Along side the figurative pieces I have begun to get requests for landscapes and animals. This magazine collage is made entirely of ripped and cut magazines on recycled board using non-toxix adhesives. This piece was completed last summer but not gifted until Christmas, I cn now finally share it with you!

Horses Magazine Collage 

I really loved the colours in the original and tried to capture the soft tones. I was able to find colours quite similar to the original and by tearing the paper for the majority of the piece I was able to retain the softness as well.

Client Image

The original image was quite small but I was provided with other images which helped me to get some of the small details correct.

The piece was frame in reclaimed wood by Alan at Roaring Tree