'Ooh, where am I?' Nextra-terrestrial Giraffe tells her story!

'What an eventful few hours this has been! After spending many days in storage with all the other giraffes, passing the time chatting and playing games, we were suddenly all loaded onto transporters to go to our new homes for 12 weeks ...'

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'After what seemed like quite a long journey I was left standing in unknown surroundings. I felt very alone. Where were all my giraffe friends? Were there any humans here?'

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'"Stand Tall," I said to myself, feeling a tear roll down my neck.'

'Then suddenly I was surrounded by friendly, welcoming people! They smiled at me, put their arms round my neck and posed for photographs with me. There was a lovely feeling of celebration. "Welcome!" they said, "Welcome to Clacton Factory Outlet, we're so glad to have you here."'

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'Ooh, now I know this is going to be a nexciting, fun-filled summer!'
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Nextra-terrestrial, the giraffe painted by Ingrid, is one of 30 large 2.5 metre high giraffes that are part of Stand Tall for Giraffes at Colchester Zoo. These giraffes are now situated in different locations around Colchester and Essex for 12 weeks, prior to going to Colchester Zoo for a final week, followed by a week at More London. Then they will all be auctioned to raise money for wildlife charity. 

You can see more about Nextra-terrestrial  on her very own blog which even has downloadable pictures to colour in!

Spring Awakening

After the long winter and frozen spring, sunlight begins to shine upon the patiently budding daffodils lining the woodland paths.

My favourite, Narcissus sylvestris ssp. giraffodil, is one of the first to appear and flowers long into the season, its graceful spotted blooms nodding in the breeze. Not a native to the British Isles, no-one really knows where it originates from.

I love to walk among the trees in the moonlight when the daffodils are out. Their presence gives a powerful sense of joy and mystery.

The poem below, by Raph G. Neckmann, expresses the captivating wonder of a twilight wood of giraffodils.

From 'Raph's Ramblings'     (see all Giraffodil posts)

North East artist Ingrid Sylvestre Durham North East England UK. English landscape paintings, English landscape painters, garden paintings, trees woods & gardens illustrations, Giraffe Lady, Giraffe World, Raph G. Neckmann, Raph's Ramblings. Landscape, nature, spirit of place, genius loci, celebration of place, visionary art. Fine Art paintings for sale, commissions.

Snow arrives in Durham City - along with some uneckspected visitors!

Durham Giraffes on Ice - Durham Artist Ingrid Sylvestre

It was with great excitement that the residents of Durham woke up to find their city covered in the fluffy white of snow. What they did not realize, however, was that during the night there had been a 'Nextra Day'! This is a day that does not feature in our human planetary calendar, but links a distant planet named 'Giraffe World' in Camelopardalis Constellation with our Earth. The long-necked Camelopardalian creatures can visit our world unseen and enjoy some of our top tourist destinations all to themselves.

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Durham Artists Ingrid Sylvestre North East artist North East art for sale Ingrid Sylvestre

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Travelling through the Secret Intergalactic Cacti - Durham Artist Ingrid Sylvestre

Travelling through the Secret Intergalactic Cacti via boat and bus, the giraffes look forward to their adventures in Durham while we humans sleep.

Durham Goes Giraffe at Xmas  - Durham Artists Ingrid Sylvestre

After the nexcitement of skating on the River while admiring views of  beautiful Durham Cathedral, our long-necked visitors enjoy some seasonal shopping in the cobbled streets of the city before returning to their world, laden with nextra-terrestrial gifts!

If you would like a nextra-special Durham gift or Durham Christmas card, these images can be printed onto a wide selection of quality items, including mugs, bags, teatowels and placemats available from:

The Useful Art Company


Ingrid Sylvestre Artist Durham North East England UK Fine Artist Illustrator Designer Writer Composer Songwriter Caricaturist Speaker. On-the-spot caricatures for weddings corporate events parties fun days, cartoons for all occasions, wedding caricaturist Durham Newcastle Darlington Teesside Northumberland Sunderland North East England UK.