Stampede by the Sea

The evolution of an elephant

In the summer of 2024 there was a call for artists to create artwork for a new art trail coming to Dorset.

It was by chance I saw the advert and felt like at the time it was the universe sending a message - right place, right time.

With only 1 day free before the deadline I shut myself in my studio and set to work pulling together a design that would incorporate both my abstract work and my postcard landscapes.

In September I was informed that my design had been shortlisted out of over 200 entries. 60 designs were shortlisted with 30 elephants to design. I again crossed my fingers and hoped I would get picked.

In October, after what felt like a long wait, I heard the news that I had been selected. A huge thank you to Shield Sights who sponsored my elephant, meaning my design would be coming to life!

On the 20th November the elephant sculpture was delivered to my painting space (thank you Dorset Water Centre). Overnight it snowed and on the 21st November, my first planned painting session we were snowed in.

Thankfully I had planned my time with additional painting days if needed.

Over the following month I spent every Thursday, Friday and Saturday painting.

As it was my first sculpture there was a lot of trial and error and learning how to paint on a 3D shape.

From start to finish this will forever be my favourite art project. I never stopped smiling, even when there were challenges (oh my, varnishing an object this big is stressful).

The project ran throughout December, with it completed in January ready for collection.

I will always remember that Christmas I painted an elephant.