Jonah

"But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights."

Jonah 1: 17

Have you ever shirked your responsibilities? Run away from your work? Hidden from uncomfortable situations that you fear to face? Jonah did. I do too. I find excuses, procrastinate, get easily distracted... But when Jonah did finally step up to the plate, he had good results, he shouldn't have been so afraid in the first place. And maybe we shouldn't either. We need to stop putting things off, and embrace them instead. So today, be brave. 

"The engulfing waters threatened me,

the deep surrounded me;

seaweed was wrapped around my head. 

To the roots of the mountains I sank down;

the earth beneath barred me in forever.

But you brought my life up from the pit,

Oh LORD my God. "

Jonah 2: 5-6

Blue Butterflies

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."  

Hans Christian Anderson

Another lamp, this time a smaller one and just in white and blue. It's very pretty actually, and I've had quite a lot of interest in these. I've got a few more ideas, so you'll probably see similar things in the near future, oo-er. 

Stag Party

No animals were harmed in the making of these pieces. 

So I finally got around to finishing these pieces and mounting them on their plaques. Faux taxidermy mixes contemporary and traditional design, personally I think your house is naked without some. Next, I'm working on a fox.

Picturing Time Private View at Sotherby's

A diary is a record of time, a sentimental layering of memories.

Me, Kate and Mum

This is exciting! As regular followers of this blog will know, for part of my final year at university we had to enter a competition. I entered 'Picturing Time' by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. This was way back at the beginning of the year. So when I found out last month that my animation had been shortlisted I was very, happily, surprised. Imagine then, when on Monday I found out that I had been selected for an award, how surprised I was. I was instructed to go down to London on Thursday evening to attend the Private View. 

I received a Highly Commended award in Animation. Out of 220 entries, my piece was among the top 6. You can read about the other prize winners here. 

It was incredibly posh; we were announced as we arrived and provided with plenty of champagne. It was also incredibly hot, I was melting, and a merry little photographer kept trying to grab me for photo's which was a little embarrassing... I'm not used to the spotlight!

Sam Richwood from my course at uni was also shortlisted, click the photo to see more of his work.

I still can't really believe it! I've had a piece exhibited in London, and won a prize. All from my little animation I made in my bed room on a make shift tripod duct taped to the wall. 

My animation on the screen.

Receiving the award. 

My tutors, Cathie and Anna, and I.

Everyone I spoke to was so lovely, I had a great evening. So, I better had post this animation up here again, in case anyone wants to see it!