Stand Tall for Giraffes at Colchester Zoo!

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'Nextra-terrestrial' giraffe - finished before varnishing - in the giraffe house at Colchester Zoo

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I have just been working on one of my most exciting projects ever!

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This year is Colchester Zoo's 50th birthday and to celebrate the Zoo has launched Stand Tall for Giraffes, a mass appeal large scale public art event. For 12 weeks during the summer, Colchester's streets, parks and open spaces will be taken over by 2.5 metre high giraffes! Artists have been commissioned to create designs to go on each giraffe, and I was overjoyed when my design 'Nextra-terrestrial' was selected.

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The giraffe house - my  wonderful 'studio' at Colchester Zoo while working on Stand Tall giraffe sculpture 'Nextra-terrestrial'

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My stay in Colchester, which is over five hours train journey from Durham, was very pleasant indeed. I booked in at the Red Lion Hotel in the town centre - a marvellous historic building with the original wooden beams, great character and atmosphere, wonderful friendly staff and fabulous food.

My 'studio' was at the Zoo - in the giraffe house itself! Never would I have imagined I would be creating a work of art on a giraffe sculpture in the presence of real live giraffes!

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Giraffe artist Ingrid gazing in awe at the giraffes outside from the window of the giraffe house, Colchester Zoo!

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The giraffe sculptures are created from fibre glass and mine was waiting for me, ready primed in white.

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Primed with white and ready for Ingrid to paint with the design  - 'Nextra-terrestrial' giraffe sculpture Colchester Zoo

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The window beyond the sculpture looked out to where the giraffes were during the day.

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The back of the giraffe house, Colchester Zoo with one of the giraffes. Ingrid's workspace was just inside the window over the giraffe.

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My workspace was situated overlooking the giraffes when they came in at tea-time. I had step ladders to reach Nextra-terrestrial's high head, and a sign was positioned telling the public that I would be working there.

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Ready to be watched by visitors to Colchester Zoo - 'Nextra-terrestrial' giraffe sculpture with her first pink layer of painted design

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I couldn't wait to get started on my design! Time was at a premium as I only had from Tuesday to Friday to paint the sculpture, and my design was quite complex, featuring a scene from my Giraffe World in Camelopardalis constellation, with Necky Knoll House and its inhabitants and their friends!

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Ingrid has painted the first stage of her design in pink acrylic paint. You can see Necky Knoll House, the hedge and some of the giraffe characters emerging!

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First of all I painted the main components of the design in pale pink. I used artists' acrylic paint, which went very smoothly over the primed surface.

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Close up of Necky Knoll House and its steps in pink acrylic paint

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The familiar landmark of Necky Knoll House appeared, with its steeply curving front steps.

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Next Ingrid has added yellow to the design picking out the highlights on the knolls

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Next I added yellow to the designs, picking out the highlights on the knolls where the Camelopardalian sun shone! The lower part of the giraffe was painted in yellow ochre mixed with white, for the drive area of Necky Knoll House.

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Giraffe artist Ingrid Sylvestre working on her Stand Tall giraffe 'Nextra-terrestrial' at Colchester Zoo, with a giraffe in the background!

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Painting a coat of pink on the neck, I realised I was being watched by the giraffes! The giraffe house had a very distinctive smell, which permeated all my clothes. Pleasant - a little like riding stables, but much stronger.

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This giraffe seems intrigued by Ingrid's giraffe sculpture!

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Detail emerges on Nextra-terrestrial's back. A winding path curves between the knolls.

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Working on the details on Nextra-terrestrial's sloping back and neck, I stood on the ladder to shape the stars.

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Ingrid Sylvestre giraffe artist appropriately clad in giraffe patterned top and belt!

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The head received a coat of blue paint over the pink, which I gradually changed to magenta lower on the neck, delineating the stars.

The audience of the multitudes of visitors to the Zoo appreciated that I wore giraffe-patterned clothes! I love interacting with the public while I work, and everyone was so interested in seeing the characters and hearing about their lives and adventures. Talking to people does slow down the painting process, but it is such an important part of creating public art and so immensely enjoyable.

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The hedge around the garden at Necky Knoll House is added

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It was now time to add the hedge which runs around the perimeter of the garden of Necky Knoll House. Working on a three-dimensional 'canvas' shaped like a giraffe was challenging and needed to be planned so that each area had interest, and looked good from all angles.

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The shadows on the sides of the knolls appear

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Adding the shadow sides of the knolls gave a 3D effect and a sense of rhythm to the design. I used process blue for this, instead of the ultramarine blue which I had used on the head and upper neck. (To save carrying too much weight on the train, I purchased most of my acrylic paint in Colchester at Tindalls art shop, where the staff had kindly ordered the colours I needed).

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Giraffe character Necky Becky  and her neckshund dog become clearer as detail is added

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Ingrid adds giraffe pattern detail to the trees. Are those giraffes on the back of her jacket?!

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Highlights are added to the hedge, creating mysterious shapes and the knolls look swirlingly rounded

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I worked on creating the happy yet mysterious atmosphere of Giraffe World, with its ethereal light on the knolls. Visitors enjoyed looking at the hedge and imagining all kinds of shapes in it. The music playing in the giraffe house added to the atmosphere - so evocative, rhythmic and joyous.

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Ingrid has started to add giraffe pattern detail to the path that winds between the knolls on Nextra-terrestrial's back

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Designing the imagery for Nextra-terrestrial's back had to accommodate the curves and angles of her neck, and I was pleased with the result, with the path winding mysteriously into the distance between the knolls.

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The early stages of the giraffe characters outlines: from top left, Girth, Necky Becky and Hals the Neckshund, Raph G. Neckmann and Maureen Treeging, Neko and Nexi,  Nukkle and Sgruff of The Stiffnex band

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Here you can see the many giraffe characters I painted on Nextra-terrestrial. (If you click on any of the images on the blog, they enlarge.) These are all characters that feature on Raph G. Neckmann's blog which many of you are familiar with!

Further detail on Neko and Nexi at the front

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Close up of Raph G. Neckmann and Maureen Treeging, with Littl' Nicky brushing his teeth!

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Almost complete - The Stiffnex prepare to play a gig to celebrate!

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Working to a very tight deadline, one always wonders if one will finish on time! It was with a great sense of celebration that I put the final touches to Nextra-terrestrial knowing that I would be able to meet the deadline, completing the work to my satisfaction. I am a bit of a perfectionist and like to do a 'nexcellent' job!

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Stand Tall giraffe Nextra-terrestrial complete and varnished - left side

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The last part of the painting was to add the giraffodils around Nextra-terrestrial's feet. I remembered to add my signature too!

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Stand Tall Nextra-terrestrial giraffe complete and varnished - front

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The acrylic paint dried very quickly in the hot giraffe house, and I was able to varnish Nextra-terrestrial after a short break for food.

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Stand Tall giraffe Nextra-terrestrial complete and varnished  - right side

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I took these last 3 photos on the Saturday morning, while Nextra-terrestrial was being professionally photographed - I was standing to the side so the backdrop is not central, but I think this gives a kind of ethereal 'floating off in space' effect!

It was difficult to tear myself away, and I patted Nextra-terrestrial on her neck and wished her a fond farewell. I'm so looking forward to seeing her when she is on show in Colchester during the summer!

During the painting process I had been far too busy to see the rest of the Zoo, so job complete, I spent the few hours before my train journey home exploring. What a treat! Everything about Colchester Zoo, from the friendly enthusiastic staff and well-cared-for creatures to the interesting layout, the imaginative horticultural plantings and the scrumptious food, is a delight! But best of all is the giraffe house, with its lovely long-necked inhabitants, its atmospheric music and its giraffy smell that still clings to my jackets!

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North East artist Ingrid Sylvestre Giraffe Artist Durham UK

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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.

Giraffe Neck Pear!

Imagine my delight when, on opening a bag of pears I had just purchased, I discovered one with a 'giraffe neck' all the way up the side! Would it be named Pyrus camelopardalis, I wondered?

With a little help from Photoshop (or was it maybe the influence of Raph G Neckmann & family - I'll let you decide!), the giraffe neck grew and grew ...

This giraffe looks as if he is contemplating nibbling the leaves on the plate! I am sure it would go well in the Neckmann family kitchen ...
 

 

(You can visit the Neckmann family at Raph's Ramblings!)

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.

Nexhibition: 'The Neckmanns of Giraffe World' at University of Durham Botanic Garden

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The Botanic Garden in Durham is currently hosting a 'nexhibition' of my Giraffe World characters, the Neckmann family,  (10th May to 8th June).

(To enlarge and read the information on the image below, please click on it and then right click 'view image' and click again!)

 

 

The story telling and activity session in the glass houses on 12th June was great fun, and a good time was had by all!

The exhibition is in the Visitors' Centre Cafe, where you can relax with refreshments and tasty food. (I highly recommend the smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches!!)

Below are some of the illustrations exhibited.

The Neckmann Family party outside Necky Knoll House - Ingrid Sylvestre Giraffe Artist, creator of Raph's Ramblings

The family party outside Necky Knoll House

Raph G. Neckmann  looks at planet Earth through his telescope from Giraffe World in Camelopardalis Constellation.

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Necky Becky and her brother Littl' Nicky arrive at the Secret Portal behind the Intergalactic Cacti on planet Earth!

Between the worlds - the Giraffe World bus and rowing boat.

The Forest Road

Narcissus sylvestris ssp. giraffodil - Ingrid Sylvestre Durham North East Artist

Narcissus sylvestris ssp giraffodil

Neckelchester Village

Underwater Adventure

Neckshund Nexploits at the Botanic Garden!

Wednesday 1st of June was another nextra special day at the University of Durham Botanic Garden. Once again, Necky Becky travelled all the way from Giraffe World to take part in a story-telling session with Ingrid. This time she brought her beloved neckshund dog Hals with her, and her toddler brother Littl' Nicky too!

They were all very nexcited to arrive at the secret portal behind the Intergalactic Cacti.




During the storytelling Hals got very hungry and decided to pop back home to get some of his favourite biscuits.

He went to the Intergalactic Cacti, but though he tried and tried, he couldn't get the secret portal to Giraffe World to appear!


"Oh dear!" he said to himself. "I'm so very hungry. I wonder if there are any nice biscuits in the Botanic Garden?"

Someone had left the door to the glasshouses a teeny bit open, so he squeezed through into the fresh air.



There were lots of beautiful flowers in the Garden, and Hals sniffed them. "How lovely!" he said. "But not like biscuits ..."




Further along the path he found a big display board. There was plenty of information about trees on it, but no directions to biscuits.




He trotted past the gunnera and stopped for a moment. They looked so huge and the stems were
very prickly-looking, so he decided not to look for biscuits there!

By now he was feeling tired and very hungry indeed. He wondered if Necky Becky had noticed that he was missing. Maybe she would come and look for him. That would be so comforting.




Suddenly Hals came face to face with a very strange looking creature. In the shadows under the trees he couldn't tell if it was a fallen log or a huge monster!
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He turned and ran, looking over his shoulder to see if it was following him. Faster and faster, his little legs moving so quickly you could hardly see them, until he arrived at a big blue door - the Visitors Centre!




As he stood outside panting, so very tired and thirsty from his mad dash through the garden, one of the ladies in the cafe saw him. She brought him a big bowl of water to drink.



By this time the story-telling had finished, and how pleased Hals was to see Necky Becky and Littl' Nicky running towards him! Guess what Necky Becky had in her pocket? Some of his favourite biscuits!

They all sat by the Intergalactic Cacti and waited for their dad, Raph, to collect them.



Back through the secret portal they go in their family bus, until neckst time!

Necky Becky's dad has his own blog, Raph's Ramblings, where he writes about his thoughts and the family adventures.