Audi brings sparkle & diamonds to a new lion!

Temba the Audi crystal lion takes shape in Metropolis Art gallery in Westbourne

2011-04-22T11:05:00.000-07:00

A new lion has come to life in a beautiful setting. I remember waking up suddenly with a rather 'wild' idea when thinking about the characteristics of Audi. When I think of the rather well formed and luxury cars that state Audi, I can't help thinking of sleek lines, German engineering, and total elegance. So I hear you cry, what was the idea? Swarovski crystal mane with diamonds against a beautiful white body.
White lions are very rare creatures and after speaking to the managing director David Kelly of Poole Audi, it was clear he wanted to promote their plight. He has after all been to Africa to the one place they live in the world and was simply enchanted by this majestic animal. So the idea was born. A sleek white lion encrusted with crystals and a couple of diamonds that would be hand stuck. Temba - Swahili for 'Hope' seemed perfect.
In my mind, Temba had started with a personality. He would have the right car, the perfect house, maybe a yatch, fine art hanging in his house, eat at the finest restaurants, attend the right parties, dinners and would be an interesting person to chat too.
So the next question, where would I transform this now beautifully sprayed white lion with his mane of crystals? In a Westbourne gallery called 'Metropolis Art' surrounded by famous art from Banksy, Damien Hurst and the like, in the window!
Not any old window, no this window happened to be just by a set of traffic lights and in the main part of Westbourne.
Sometimes things happen in life that are simply just great. Sticking on the crystals one by one onto Temba in the window of the gallery was fabulous! I simply loved every minute,creating a sparkly lion in such a great atmosphere with the public stopping to stare and lashings of tea surrounded by brilliant artwork.
The team of the gallery kept me sane, as as you can imagine sticking over 6,000 crystals could send you a little mad...
The eyes needed to be just right and 'Soap' a very talented Urban artist, who's works features in the gallery, sprayed the eyes and Temba's character came to life in his hands. Soap's care and attention of the blue eyes looks great- thanks Soap!

The beginning of Temba..

Temba looks out of the window at his new surroundings and greets the public..

Soap working on the first layer of his eyes

The sparkle of Swarovski crystals..

A finished Temba looks out and sparkles at night time

Temba daytime...

Temba's new friends -Kitty & Bebe say hello...(he also gets a kiss!)

Lion in the library - 'African Sunset' is finished for Chinese New Year!

2011-02-27T10:57:00.000-08:00

I'm just at the front of the library now, for you to come and visit!

Do you like my mane?

My tree has real gold don't you know!

Is this my best side?

African Sunset lion is now finished with many, many hours of loving care spent on this fine beast! Many hours, even days were spent cutting and sticking smaller and smaller mosaic tiles to create his new coat to be part of 'Pride in Bournemouth'. He has put on rather a lot of weight and needed many pairs of hands to lift him from the table to the floor...He now stands guard at the front of the library, waiting for a new name..

Over 200 people of different ages stuck on their tiles to be part of this community project including Harry Porter and Mrs. Porter, different school children and staff, little ones, older ones, council members, even a member of our government!

Visitors and new friends..

2011-01-19T09:52:00.000-08:00

There have been comments that he has a lovely bottom..this photo also shows the colour change of the mosaic tiles..

A helper polishing the feet to make them very shiny

The Cole's Miller African Sunset mosaic lion is starting to get a personality and has now got black eyes with a very small piece of gold in the middle that should sparkle in the sunshine when outside. The lion, (still to be named) has had his photo taken by Sally the photographer of the Daily Echo and he was a showoff! Surrounded by the many different colours tiles that make up his new coat, he had his best side on show, and I was in the photo too.

He has also had many different visitors and friends come and say 'hello'. Charlie from Wild in Art, gave him a little stroke, pupils from nearby St.Michael's Primary school came to stick a couple of tiles on, whilst choosing books for their homework projects and even some of the parents stuck a couple of tiles too. Many of the 'lion' books have been checked out of the library, so their are many children learning and reading great stories about lions somewhere in Bournemouth ..
Cole's Miller are also sponsoring St.Michael's lion, so fingers crossed both lions will meet in the near future when they both have their new decorated coats.
Our lion has a new friend, a blackboard lion who he will share the Children's section with for the near future. I promise to take some photos tomorrow and post, so you can see the progress.

stories coming alive in the library

2011-01-18T13:17:00.000-08:00

Mosaicing the lion in the library has given me 'food for thought' today. I have met some lovely people and has reminded me why I love working with art projects in the community.
I am mosaicing this lion in the children's section of the library, with small benches and storybook galore nearby.
I had been privileged to hear some wonderful stories - parents reading storybooks to their younger children, complete with different voices of the characters, children sitting in ore waiting for the next instalment. I have had parents talking to me whilst their child has been sticking, telling of small snippets of their lives and funny ditties and waiting to stick their own tiles too.

I had also heard heartfelt stories of bravery, that I could not imagine and could never understand and totally admire their determination and personal strength and love for others. Stories of crazy fundraising events coming up and the reasons why the fundraising is just so important; having a moment to talk to someone I wouldn't normally chat too from young to old. Seeing children's' and adults faces light up simply sticking their tiles and being part of the mosaic jigsaw. A simple act making the bigger picture, or lion in this case!

This project reaches an audience that wouldn't interact in day to day situations and being able to say 'Would like like to stick a tile on my lion?' and knowing that come the summer, different 'pockets' of our Bournemouth community could walk up to this lion and say 'That's my bit, I stuck on in the library'. 'Pride in Bournemouth' ( see the link there? oh, it's here: www.prideinbournemouth.com )
I'm a lucky girl seeing this project coming alive and meeting wonderful people and hearing their mini stories, how fitting for a library! I promise to bring more photos for you to see the progress of the nameless lion soon..

There's a lion in Bournemouth library!

2011-01-17T07:32:00.000-08:00

The start of the African baobab tree with real gold highlights! -

He's looking a little LEGO yellow at the moment, but he has his 'shoes, a couple of legs mosaiced..

Staff from a local school want to stick a 'bit' too after their students have had a go!

Mike and Dave community officers come to help too!

Families are all getting involved..

Heather was the first person to stick on a tile..

A lion in the library...!

The news of lions 'taking over' Bournemouth in the summer has started to spread! Bournemouth will host 'Pride In Bournemouth' ,a public art event with lions in our streets and in our shop windows for all to see. There will be a trail map and we'll be able to search for them all!

'So what, summer is months away!' I hear you cry..well, the lions have already started to appear in strange places..such as Bournemouth library children's section.

Yes, you read that right - the library..

Poppies Art Workshops have been commissoned by Coles Miller, solicitors to mosaic a lion with the help of the public in the library. The design is of an 'African Sunset' in rich reds, oranges, yellows and even gold. We have been working hard and have had many different visitors including Hannah Perry from Cole Miller, Mike, a community officer, schools galore, families, tourists from Japan, Canada and even Switzerland to name a few. Some children have come back a couple of times to help and see the progress.

He is starting to look like the design, but another 6 colours will be added to make sure the colours blend well together, as he looks a little 'blocky' at the moment...watch this space for more information.

Lions, the BIC and santa for one night only!

2010-12-01T08:45:00.000-08:00

Christmas is almost apon us, with snow in the sky, the same old Christmas songs bellowing from the shops and every advert on TV connected to Christmas from the food, to glamerous dresses and the must have something or other...Poppies have been very busy with wonderful workshops making the essential decorations, gifts and using the most amount of glitter ever seen!

So keeping with the Christmas theme, every stage for the big Light Switch-on needed a 'Santa Paws' lion ( stay with me, all will be explained!) - I was up for the challenge.

'The Bournemouth Tourist Awards were being held at BIC Thursday night and it would be great for an artist to be painting a lion at the same time'. Armed with paints, brushes and a design,

Santa paws was painted during the awards with many lovely comments from the invited! (& finished off the next day as well!).

'Santa Paws' now lives on the stage in the sqaure to promote intrigue and conversation. Santa Paws proved popular with the crowd during the switch-on and even Jules from Heart FM Breakfast couldn't resist his charms.

Coles Miller Solicitors sponsor a lion!

2010-12-01T08:37:00.000-08:00

"What?" I hear you cry? A solicitors and a lion in the same sentance..read on! WOW!
Coles Miller have sponsored me to create a stunning mosaic lion for the 'Pride in Bournemouth' next year.
The law firm, work in many different ways within the local community and this will be a new way to reach the community!
The lion will be mosaiced by the public, staff and with a little help and guidance by me next year in Bournemouth centre. The design is still top secret and all will be revealed after Christmas...watch this space!

Julia's House butterfly mosaic

2010-12-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

Here is the finished result - not the best light..what do you think?

One cold and windy Saturday, a couple of weeks' ago, I had such a lovely day working with the siblings, affected children, staff and families creating a butterfly mosaic for the hospice's new extension. The butterfly was a Dorset Blue flying around the heather (shaped as hearts). Most people think that hospices are sad places, but as Julia's house logo states 'A happy place' is just that due to the people and wonderful atmosphere as you walk in the door.

Much laughter, glitter, other activities, butterfly cakes ( see the connection there?!) and sparkle mosaic tiles, everyone had a great time. The butterfly uses much calmer colours, mirrors to reflect the light and give the butterfly slight movement. I will leave you with this thought:

Martin Edwards, Chief Executive wrote something so beautiful in the lastest newsletter that I would like to share it with you:

'The butterfly is the symbol of the children's hospice movement. For butterflies, like the children whom we help during their short lives, are not with us for long. Like the children, they are beautiful but fragile. When they are gone we are much poorer for their loss, and long winter darkness follows. Yet they leave behind vibrant, colourful memories for all who knew them, because while they were among us they lit up our world.'

The Dolphin Shopping centre winners..a little taste of fame!

2010-12-01T08:01:00.000-08:00

A little taste of fame!
Following the release of the charity Christmas cards, we simply needed to let the world know how wonderful this project really was with a press afternoon. All the five winners had their photos taken and each winner was presented with a prize of a £50 voucher per and £100 voucher for each school.
The smiles were almost as big as Rudolph's!

Can you spot the winning design in the group from St.Mary's Catholic School? Many of these designs were also transformed into floor vinyls that can also be seen in the centre (upper floor). What a talented lot!

The Dolphin Shopping Centre Children's Christmas card project

2010-11-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a couple of months we're had! So many wonderful projects that show creativity isn't dead, but a shining beacon.

I have been lucky enough to have worked with 5 amazing local schools in the Poole area, designing simply the best Christmas cards for The Dolphin Shopping Centre Christmas Card project.

The project involved many talented children designing Christmas cards, that capture the essence of what Christmas is truly about, from robins, Father Christmas, decorated Christmas trees galore, angels, traditional subjects....these cards simply rock!

The Dolphin Shopping Centre have pulled out the stops - 5 winning designs have now been printed into cards to be sold for two wonderful local charities: Lighthouse and Julia's House. Both charities really make a difference. What a great way to raise really needed funds from local school children designing fab. works of art, to then be sold in the Dolphin Shopping Centre, bought by local people to enjoy - a 'win win' situation!

Not only have 5 winning designs been printed into Christmas cards, but 60 designs have also been printed into A1 floor vinyls that will create a magical 'floor gallery' for all to see!

Working with the children, it's evident that there is a great new wave of creative talent just starting out.

Each pack of 5 designs, will be available to buy for £2.99 from shops in the centre..smiles all around!

Lions are coming to Bournemouth..

2010-09-28T08:41:00.001-07:00

Not long now before the big launch of the pride in Bournemouth 'The mane Event'. Over 50 lions will be decorated and placed outside for all to enjoy next year in the streets in Bournemouth. Have a look at the website: www.prideinbournemouth.com for more details. I promise to post some news tomorrow...fingers crossed some photos too..

Bugs, seaside and mosaics!

2010-09-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

We here at Poppies have been very busy with fabulous mosaic workshops working with Children's Centres and lots of sticking and having fun! Stokewood Children's Centre have been working hard to create 2 mosaics - the first based on ground bugs such as ants, beetles and the other flying bugs such as dragonflies, ladybirds.
Southbourne children's centre have been sticking tiles into their 'By the Sea' design with land train too!
Many other projects have also been started and are in the process of being completed..more info. coming soon!

Poppies have been busy..

2010-08-10T04:06:00.000-07:00

Poppies have been very busy this summer after the auction of the wonderful Kubella the Seaside elephant mosaiced for The London Elephant Parade.

We have been running fun and messy childrens' art workshops during the summer holidays including exciting eco projects such as painting eco bags to save using plastic ones, creating eco cities using household recycling, making memory boxes for ' found treasure' found during the holidays. We have been mosaicing panels based on drawings from 'Bug week', which will showcase our native garden bugs we can all find and help to survive. Making bee hotels and ladybird homes, along with sewing wild flowers all help the survival of bugs and are a simple way to help, as well as being fun to make and watch!

We also enjoyed making many hundreds of badges to the very popular 'Big Fest' festival in Andover last weekend, with lots of happy children drawing. colouring and stickers galore in a beautiful Indian tent.

Big Fest had loads of cool eco stuff too.. from willow weaving, making bee hotels, wild flower quizes, free eco bags with refillable water bottles from Southern Water, recycling challenges, hand painted flags, storytelling with a great big stage for music and dancers to entertain.

We have also enjoyed working with the wonderful Children charity Julia's House, a hospice for children based in Corfe Mullen and made many badges, handbag mirrors, keyrings during their summer BBQ at the rather beautiful The Orangary in Winborne, with the sun shining, the smell of BBQ in the air, magicians entertaining, a great time was had by one and all!

We are looking forward to creating a Dorset blue butterfly mosaic at Julia's house in a couple of weeks to brighten a bare brickwall in the new extention, with help from children, thier siblings, families and staff. Watch this space for photos after 22nd August!

4 million raised!

2010-07-18T12:15:00.000-07:00

Well, the latest update from the elephant family is that £4 million has been raised from the London Elephant Parade, that's double what the charity hoped for!
I am still waiting to hear who and where Kubella will be re homed. The charity have written to all the winning bidders to ask their permission to tell the world and the artist whom they are or if they want to stay anonymous...fingers crossed, we will know soon. I promise to keep you posted.
In the meantime, Poppies have been running some wonderful other charity projects, mainly mosaics in Dorset and I will post photos and details later.

Kubella the Star and the final journey..The Grand Auction

2010-07-04T04:57:00.000-07:00

Well what a day! Kubella was finally sold at The Grand Auction in a marquee in the grounds of the Chelsea Royal Hospital yesterday for a stunning 20K. The day was perfect. The sun shone, the champers flowed, the live jazz played in the grounds and many celebraties mingled amongst the elephants including Terence Conran, Tommy Hilfiger, Rula Lenska, before the big event. I went to check Kubella looked her best and was surprised to see she was gone!!

Just the stand left with her footprints..slight panic came over me. I looked around and just couldn't see her - the only place left was the marquee..

The marquee was a sea of orange and shocking pink tables with a handful of elephants lining the edges. Kubella was at the entrance to the main room of the marquee looking gorgeous, panic over!

There she was at the entrance to the main room with a big vase of flowers in case she got hungry, placed in front of the air conditioning in case she got hot and in front of the fire hydrants in case she needed to be a hero or had to stop someone at the entrance.

I was very nervous as she was lot 26, after Julien MacDonald's Bertie, so a couple of glasses of champers were consumed and small round sandwiches were served, along with bite sized smoked salmon bagels and shots of cold pea soup... Then her photo appeared on the screen and Harry Dalmaney of Sotheby's started the bidding...within minutes she was sold!

Unfortunately I couldn't see who brought her or if it was telephone bidder..but will hopefully find out where her final home will be this week from the Elephant Family..maybe she will be coming home to Poole, brought by Lush or even Sunseekers or live in someones grounds backing onto the sea with boats in tow..a restaurant in a harbour somewhere...fingers crossed Iwill be able to get a photo to share...

Kubella has taken many many hours, weeks, months of TLC and thanks to everyone who has helped along the way..mum, family and friends, who have helped listened and made tea, Reed Harris for their donated dark blue tiles that look great, Azzura for the discounted tiles for this project, the public for helping to stick and the wonderful crowd at the sadly now closed Kube gallery in Poole for the space, help and constant tea and the wonderful support from everyone!

2010-07-01T04:36:00.001-07:00

A day and a half before Kubella is finally sold at auction on Saturday and goes off to her new home. She is currently £5750 on the online auction site, I think she might make more on the day too!
Fingers crossed she goes to a wonderful new home, where she can settle in well. I will keep you updated! The Grand Auction is looking to be a rather grand affair, with live jazz and a champers lunch. I promise to take photos and post them here.

Kubella the twinking star at the Royal Chelsea Hospital

2010-06-27T08:15:00.000-07:00

All the outside elephants are together, in the ground of the Royal Chelsea Hospital, on the area used for the Chelsea Flower Show!

Kubella getting a pat from a Chelsea pensioner

Kubella in line with some of the other elephants..

Well, Kubella is currently at wait for it...£4251 on the online auction site http://www.givinglots.co.uk, with one whole week before she is auctioned at the live Grand Auction.

I visited her on Friday to make her toes twinkled, the small missing piece in her tail was fixed and she had a polish ahead of the auction in the grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital.

Whilst I was there, she had many admirers with wonderful comments like 'She's my favourite, out of all the elephants'. One couple even asked if they could take her home on the coach (they live in Bristol). Kubella did twinkle in the wonderful sunshine and seems to be enjoying being with the herd.

I wonder where she live after the auction? By the seaside somewhere, someone's mansion gardens, in a shop or even in a lobby, maybe she will have to get a passport and end up somewhere else in the world...well not long now, before Kubella's great journey ends!

Elephant news update

2010-06-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

Kubella is now up to a bid of wait for it...£3251 online at www.givinglots.co.uk and there are 3 weeks to go before the Grand Auction where Kubella is one of the lucky ones, to be auctioned live by of Sotheby's Harry Dalmeny.
The Grand Auction should be rather special, as the tickets are £75 each! I will endevour to take photos for you all to see.
Farwell to the elephants on the streets of London..
All the elephants will go 'extinct' on 20th June- which means they will be uninstalled and taken away to the Royal Hospital of Chelsea. On the 25th, 26th and 28th, all elephants will be available for viewing to the public. In the period from 21st June until the beginning of July, The Elepahtn family will be arranging for all the elephants to be restored to saleable condition.
Kubella will soon be on her new journey to another part of the city and then on to a happy home within the next month.
I will be going to give her a clean and tidy up on 25th June before the auction, so hopefully she will shine!
She has received many lovely comments this week, including:
'Kubella is by far and away the best looking elephant I have seen to date, and should generate some good bids'.

Bidding of kubella

2010-05-31T08:29:00.000-07:00

I have just had a look online at :www.londonelephantparade.org and checked the online bidding and Kubella has a bid of £1500 to date. She will be part of the live auction of 3rd July at The Royal Hospital and fingered crossed she will raise a good amount for the charity and of course, find a good home to live!

Meet the artist day & bidding news!

2010-05-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

Kubella loves bananas!

Kubella looks longingly at Brendan's pint and bats her eyelashes at him...

Brendan's shares his pint

Mark Shand- the Principal Trustee & me laughing /The Golden elephants from the indoor picnic

Kubella makes friends and simply loved the hugs she got! It makes her happy..

I had a lovely day yesterday as part of The Elephant Family's 'Meet The Artist Day'. I chatted to a wide range of people who were fascinated by Kubella and the Elephant Parade. Some were armed with a route map, pen and camera and were on a mission to spot as many as elephants as they could in the beautiful sunshine in London. French tourists, an Ozzie couple living here, office workers who see her everyday, children, families, groups of friends, and some who were simply intrigued to see elephants at London landmarks.

The response was brilliant, just so many wonderful comments, such as 'Your elephant is stunning, she's the best I've seen, she's gorgeous, I simply love her!'...and the hugs she received says it all, see the photos! She also enjoyed a clean, some bananas, sweets and tried some Guinness thanks to Brendan. She also enjoyed the tickle that Josh Perry gave her looking for the two secret tiles in her tummy!

All the artists enjoyed a picnic in Covent Garden warehouse, as a 'thank you' from the elephant family, complete with fake grass and knee heigh golden elephants and Pimms. Mark Shand, principal Trustee, said it had been reported that there are only two things going on in London, one was the election and the other was the Elephant Parade and as the election has finished, it only left The London Elephant Parade!

The big news today...I have just had a look on the bidding site for the online bids for Kubella and so far she has...drum roll please £1,000! The link is on the www.londonelephantparade.org in the text part and Kubella is number 181.

The stunning elephants of the parade..

2010-05-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

Living in Bournemouth is great, but it does mean that I haven't been able to go elephant spotting, but will the power of flickR and blogs I have been able to see some of the herd: MoonInTheGlitter's photostream has some of the elephant inclusing the lovely Kubella:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/merialc/sets/72157623894673675/show/with/4590018902/
or have a look at the blog of Murphyzville, or muphyz on flickr for some great photos.
I am part of Meet the Artist next weekend, where I will to stand next to my elephant for a while and talk to passers by!!

Kubella is St. Christopher's Place, London, her new home!

2010-05-11T05:10:00.000-07:00

Kubella causing a stir!

Hannah and Kubella friends forever!

How gorgeous I am!

I think Kubella has taken a fancy to one of the Eco men!( or his Bottom!!)

No Kubella, be good!

Kubella looking like a star and turning heads!

Kubella the seaside elephant finally has a a new home in London, as part of the London Elephant Parade 2010. She is now in situ in St. Christopher's Place, off Oxford Street, opp. Bond St. Station, a little oasis of calm in London, with a rich cafe culture.

She is looking gorgeous and I'm rather proud of her and the community project : ) Hannah Perry has been busy recording her move from a London warehouse, where she was stored to her new home with a series of photos of the event. Thanks Hannah, brilliant timing!!

Kubella is elephant number 181 on the route map of the elephants. The map can be downloaded from: www.londonelephantparade.co.uk. She will be there until 23rd June, before she is moved to Chelsea Hospital for the auction. (where the Chelsea Flower show is held!) for a week of public viewing before being sold at auction by sotheby's.

Kubella goes to St.Christopher's Place, how posh!

2010-04-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

KUBELLA will be located in St. Christopher's Place, just off of Oxford Street, in Westminster. A beautiful area for her to shine and show off her wonderful mosaic coat!
She will arrive there on the 2nd May and will remain there until 23rd June, after which the elephants will go'extinct'. From 23rd June to 3rd July Kubella will be displayed with the entire herd at the Royal Hospital grounds in Chelsea. Kubella along with her new freinds in the Parade will be plotted on the official route map, which will be available from 30th April 2010and you will be able to see the exact location on this map.

Kubella the star - only 1 month to go!!

2010-04-04T05:43:00.000-07:00

Well, the Elephant Parade in London is gathering steam and excitement, only 1 month until all the now 258 elephants will be on show somewhere in London on bank holiday 3rd May.

The Parade will be London's biggest ever public art event.

Kubella is now somewhere in London awaiting her final place, fingers crossed somewhere near the Thames that will show off her twinkling shoes made from mirror and thousands of carefully stuck mosaic tiles. A map of all the elephants should be released by the end of April.

In the meantime before all the wonderful 'elles' goes outside in London, Kubella is now the star of her very own video so kindly made by Cracking Media for You

Tube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBovkeqSIug

After the elephants have completed their 2 month parade, they will all be sold at a glittering event at an auction at Sotherby's, which aims to raise £1 million benefitting 15 UK conservation charities working in Asia via The Elephant Family charity.

'Kubella' will mix among London's society, including the Duchess of York, Princess of Kent, Joanna Lumley, to name a few.

Goldie Hawn said:

"Asian elephants captured my heart years ago. Anyone who loves elephants, and i do, will love the Elephant Parade. It is not only the most beautiful, colourful and fun campaign, it holds the key to saving the majestic species from extinction. I am a proud PATRON OF ELEPHANT FAMILY; their hearts are in the right place, doing the good work. I urge everyone to support them by getting involved with Elephant Parade. What a magical adventure with a real purpose".

Many people of who know me, know I am simply mad about elephants and have in my lifetime, seen both African and Asian elephants. They are clever and wonderful animals who deserve to be safe in the wild.

This has been a wonderful community project, where I have met and worked with wonderful people, drank many, many cups of tea at Kube gallery and enjoyed the whole process. Let's hope Kubella raises a good amount for the charity and there has been suggestion that Kubella could come back to Poole to live out her days in a wonderful community. I am working on that one...watch this space! (Thanks to Penny, who stated the ball rolling by writing a lovely letter to Poole council!)

'One World, One Beat' World thinking Day with Girl Guides

2010-02-23T09:48:00.000-08:00

We had a lovely Saturday creating a celebrational mosaic (photo to come) with many rainbows, brownies, girl guides, senior members as part of the 100th birthday celebrations at Wiltshire college, a great big space for many hundreds that joined in from the South West of England. There was over 18,500 members of Girlguiding enjoying 'One World One Beat' thinking day over the Uk.
All the participants including leaders were a joy to work with! The finished mosaic will be hung at South West region HQ St Anns Manor in the gardens in the coming weeks (depending on the weather - as it was trying to snow as we were driving home!).

Update and waving Kubella off to her new life..

2010-02-23T09:16:00.000-08:00

So here are the final hours of Kubella..

I had mixed blessings when the Eco men and their van came to collect Kubella over a week ago; on one hand she is at the start of her new journey in London with the herd of 249 other elephants, but on a personal note it meant the end of working on her with the local community ( 160+ people stuck tiles onto her somewhere!) and the wonderful working environment of the now sadly closed Kube gallery and the staff there.

I do have had an update- all the elephants will be in London somewhere ( The charity whom Kubella was mosaiced for The Elephant Family)from Monday 3rd May 2010. They are awaiting planning permission from the City of London and surrounding areas and then will finally let us know where she will be. She will also feature in a book sold in Selfridges and be auctioned at Sotherby's later in the summer to raise funds for this charity.

Vistors and grouting!

2010-02-03T10:16:00.000-08:00

Kubella is almost a star in her own right, with a visit from the Mayor & Mayoress of Poole no less! Many people have taken photos of her, well she is starting to look stunning. I have started the grouting and will try to finish tomorrow. Here are the images..including Emily hopkins and Tigger eating Kubella's banana!

Kubella is taking shape

2010-01-24T11:30:00.001-08:00

The last week has been very busy at Kube gallery. Kubella has had loads of mosaic tiles applied and is starting to take shape. She was visited by a conservative MP on Friday, I will post the photo a little later in the week, when I have it!

Karen and members a senior citzen home visited (Karen and Mr.March in photo) and were a wizz at sticking on tiles, followed by a nice cup of tea.

Kubella will be finished this week, I hope to start grouting on Wednesday, as the mayor of Poole is visiting on Friday to see the finished product..so, I need to say thanks in advance to the helpers!! Keep the tea coming...!!

2010-01-18T12:14:00.000-08:00

Her 'wave' inspired mosaic coat is taking shape and just awaiting the last dark blue to be applied to her back and some of her trunk. Small details to be finished around the legs..

Saturday was a busy day at Kube as you might have seen in the press, due to the protest of the closure of the gallery. It was also a productive day for sticking on tiles for Kubella! Hannah added some hidden 'special tiles' and laods of other ones too! Thanks Hannah!!

Bex helped today and Kubella now has a rather lovely blue bottom and tail! Thanks Bex!

2010-01-15T13:37:00.000-08:00

Kubella has had many visitors this week and here are a few photos:

2010-01-10T14:29:00.000-08:00

Susie, Adrian, Graham, Jaquin, Isaac and Hannah stuck their tiles onto Kubella on Saturday. Kubella is progressed to the secord blue of the design. Still a way to go!

2010-01-08T09:05:00.000-08:00

Due to the snow, Kubella hasn't been mosaiced for a couple of days this week, but the lettering has been finished today. Kubella also has had a visitor - Rob Smith from WAVE. Kubella is hoping for more of her new mosaic coat to be finished tomorrow.

We have moved!

2010-01-01T06:50:00.000-08:00

Poppies have now moved from Bristol & West House, Post Office Rd, to 1 The Deans, Dean Park Road, Bournemouth. We have also changed our telephone number from 01202 313188 to : 01202 290338. E-mail ( info@poppiesartworkshops.co.uk and web: www.poppiesartworkshops.co.uk) remain the same.

Poole Hospital Christmas fun!

2010-01-01T06:43:00.000-08:00

I would like to say thank you to Poole Hospital Children's unit, who made me feel so welcome before Xmas, where I ran a free badge making session for a bit of Christmas fun with the children, and the parents and staff joined in too! Butterflies, rockets and Christmas trees were the favourites. Oliver Sawyer made some lovely badges with drawn in extras. I will load up the photos a bit later.

January dates to come and stick on your tiles before KUBE closes for good

2010-01-01T06:30:00.000-08:00

Come and stick on a couple of mosaic tiles onto Kubella the mosaic elephant, from 11am - 1.00pm and 1.30pm to 3pm on: . Tues.5th Jan, 6th Jan, 7th Jan,8th Jan. SAT 9th Jan, Tues.12th Jan,14th Jan, 15th Jan. SAT 16th Jan. 2010. I will be grouting the elephant the following week, hense no more sticking...!

Visitors..

2010-01-01T06:22:00.000-08:00

Kubella had many visitors before Christmas, adding their tiles including Gary Cracknell, The Davies family, Elizabeth Davies, Sam Temple came back to help some more. ( You might have seen his photo with Kubella in the local Daily Echo before Christmas).

Kubella now has eyes and eyelashes

2009-12-16T11:29:00.000-08:00

Kubella now has eyes and eyelashes giving her a little character of her own. Ellie mosaiced the eyes adding her bit to the now cute elephant with very long eyelashes inspired by some of the children's books I read during the '70s!

2009-12-15T08:35:00.000-08:00

Kubella has had many visitors today including Clare Luxton & 'Bex', co-founders of Stitch 'n' Bi**h, a knitting club held at All Fired Up on a Thursday night, students Karrie & Lucy, famous Dorset artist Abi Kremer (currently exhibitioning at Kube), yoga teacher Nina Tarratt with Sophie Anderson to mention a few!

Kubella has now got a mosaiced foot (and legwarmer!)and the other feet are coming along nicely...a way to go, but looking good!

Dates for dropping in and sticking a couple of mosaic tiles..

2009-12-14T08:22:00.001-08:00

Come and stick on a couple of mosaic tiles onto Kubella the mosaic elephant, from 11am 1am and 1.30pm to 3pm on:
Tues 15th, Wed.16th,Fri.18th, Sat .19th December 2009. The gallery closes for Christmas and then I will be back on: Tues.5th Jan, 6th Jan, 7th Jan,8th Jan. Sat. 9th Jan, Wed. 13th Jan,14th Jan, 15th Jan. 2010. (This could be subject to change)

KUBO is now KUBELLA

2009-12-14T07:55:00.000-08:00

Kubo is now a lady elephant! We felt that with mirrored feet, pebble ankle detail and the plan for long eyelashes, the mosaic elephant has more feminine traits than previously.

There were different people sticking tiles onto 'Kubella' including a lady from Devon, Alice Hunt from Southbourne, Dominic aged 6, from Ascot, Hannah Perry, a local solicitor and even the band Dita's Dream added their tiles for prosperity!

Kubella, as she is now known, does look like she is wearing legwarmers at the moment, until the next pale blue tiles are added next week.

On to sad news..

We at Poppies are saddened about the closure of Kube gallery at the end of January 2010, as reported in The Echo last week. It is such a lovely friendly place with great art, art workshops for the community and always something going on!

Without getting too political, art is all around us to some degree, designed by man or nature and galleries are such a wonderful starting place to recognise this and how it is interpreted, expressed by individuals. Art education is being squeezed out of schools and other community atoms, due to lack of funding and recognition of their importance.

2009-12-09T08:09:00.000-08:00

It has been the first day of sticking mosaic tiles on KUBO. Both Sam and Ava were the first to help this morning.

Some of the toenails have also been mosaiced in smaller white tiles to add interest. The elephant has been a real feature in a rather busy day in the gallery, with a visit from the Mayor of Poole, who told a story of an elephant in India, that once you give him a rupee, he blesses you with his trunk!

The majority of the mosaic tiles have arrived from a wonderful supplier Azzura based in Norfolk and I can't wait to start using them!

Introducing KUBO the mosaic elephant!

2009-12-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

We are now mosaicing a fabulous major community project of a full size fibreglass 3D baby elephant!

This elephant will form part of the London Elephant Parade next year. It will be part of a herd of over 200 elephants that will be exhibited at different outside locations from March to June next year. The elephant will be mosaiced in aid of The Elephant Family – a charity set up to promote the awareness of the decline in numbers of Asian elephants. We have name the elephant “KUBO – the seaside elephant” and the colours we will be using were inspired by the waves of the sea starting with foam from lapping waves with small mirror tiles to the very darkest blues representing the depths of the darkest oceans. We are expecting the elephant to be delivered from London in an ECO van very shortly and it will be temporarily housed at KUBE Gallery where it will get its multi-coloured mosaic coat. This is a very exciting community project – maybe we should have a competition to guess the exact number to the nearest thousand of mosaic tiles used. I hastily add I don’t want to be the ones to count this!

Welcome

2009-12-03T08:12:00.000-08:00

Mothercare promotional art workshops - badges galore!

Welcome to the brand new blog of Poppies Art Workshops, brainchild of Natalie Guy. Poppies is based in Bournemouth and travels to deliver wonderful art workshops, which at the moment are mainly mosaics.

We have had a very busy year since we moved from London (almost a year ago – where has the time gone?) to the fabulous South Coast. Looking back over the year we have had some wonderful highlights during a busy summer creating children’s ECO projects. We made a big papier mache Noah’s Ark with a wide range of animals using our secret recipe of ECO paste (no toxins, no nasties, just wholesome ingredients) recycled newspapers, packing boxes and loads of creativity.

Spot the dog, Stripey the blue elephant and the giraffe are some of my personal favourites

alongside the many animals seen through the window of the Ark.

We made a family of life sized cardboard robots at KUBE Gallery in Poole. Each robot was lovingly constructed and had their own personality. “Sargeant “robot came alive, with the help of Tim who donned the unique decorated robot costume and was able to move around the gallery waving his movable arms, much to the delight and skills of the participating children and now smiling parents. “Sergeant” even had his own radio in his top pocket! “Molly” had a cut out face for children to pop their heads inside for a wonderful photo opportunity. “Disco” robot had the most sparkle with Michael Jackson shoulder pads, tinfoil coloured strips to catch the light as he moved around.

We decorated eco drawstring bags, to economise in the use of plastic bags, with younger children and even made badges to encourage healthy eating.
We have had wonderful days in schools running art workshops mosaicing the children’s drawings. The themes have been incredible.

We have had pastel coloured beach huts with sailboats, allotments of children’s grown vegetables, Thomas Hardy’s cottage, doves holding an olive branch in its beak, the world, jigsaw puzzles, musical notes, school crests, forest animals, children in school uniforms, bees, butterflies, rainbows, flowers, trees, birds – we are constantly amazed and inspired by the children’s perception.