As you may know, Scotland will be voting in September about whether or not to become independent from the United Kingdom. As I’m not a native-born Scot, I keep my mouth firmly shut about my political opinions about this! But when I showed this recent design to some friends they immediately concluded that I was an enthusiast for separation, because the heraldic lion rampant is one of the symbols of Scotland, and the blue and white Saltire is the Scottish flag.
The Lion Rampant and the Saltire
But this idea came from a sketch I did years ago, of one of the heraldic beasts on show in Glasgow’s fantastic Burrell Collection. I’ve always loved the symbols and images of heraldry and this lion seemed to be fizzing with energy. I finally got round to digitising it and when I stitched it out it seemed appropriate to suggest the Saltire in the background.
My original sketch of the lion in the Burrell Colletion
But it was never supposed to be a political statement! I’m going to take a chance and exhibit this in our NEOS show in September – I’ll bet it will inspire a lot of discussion
Finally, if I'm allowed a word or two of self-advertisement – I was SO pleased when the local NEOS committee decided to use one of my designs as the background to the exhibition poster. Here it is, and if anyone's in the neighborhood at the right time, please drop in!
All of your designs make me drool. Your design for the exhibition poster is great! You have the right to be proud of it…
The background for the lion makes the entire piece magnificent. Awesome work.
I would love to have your chicken this month when you have a spare moment. Thanks.
Jane in KS
Your design for the Exhibition poster is stunning and your heraldic lion is Absolutely Awesome!!Did you design and paint the fabric that you used on your lion? It is the perfect compliment for your design. Your designs always have such magical artistry.
Thanks,
Gail
Thanks so much, Gail! Yes, both the background fabric and the appliqué fabric are hand-painrted. The background was just done by painting fabric with a heavy layer of blue acrylic paint, letting it dry and then throwing the cloth in the washing machine. I thought it gave a nice antique, aged feel. The lion fabric was just painted yellow and then stamped with a hand-carved stamp with spots on it. It’s honestly very easy!
I’m so glad they chose one of your designs for the poster! And that’s one of the designs I love most. I’ve always thought the colors and movement of the wind are so, well, moving.
🙂
The colors are so vibrant and feel like they’ve grabbed us and held us at the exact moment in time when summer just starts to become autumn. I think it’s the vivid green of the background combined with the sweeping branches of the tree that communicate autumn rushing in to usher summer out.