Elephant Parade is going to Singapore

The Elephant Parade is now heading to Singapore!

100 individually designed elephants will adorn the streets of the Lion City from 11/11/11. They will be auctioned in January 2012 by Sotheby's to raise money in aid of the Asian Elephant Conservation projects throughout Asia.This will be the 9th Elephant parade worldwide which has seen well over 500 elephants painted, sculpted or decorated by hundreds of artists,designers and celebrities.

I was so excited having finished my elephant for the Copenhagen Parade earlier this year to be asked to design one for Singapore. I took my inspiration from the Jurong Bird Park, which is dedicated to conservation and the largest bird park in the world.

My elephant is called 'Love Song' after the love birds on the face and to remind us that we need to love our natural world, to love elephants. It has a spiral of a huge variety of colourful birds, which represents the need to conserve a wide variety of species in the wild to help sustain the natural habitat. There are red ribbons making heart shapes, and at the top of the spiral is a legendary

phoenix to also symbolise love and good luck.

Find out more about the Elephant Parades at http://elephantparade.com/

Wow Gorillas out in Bristol

'Blackbeard Silverback' was unveiled at Arnos Vale Cemetery by children from St Phillips Marsh Nursery School, who brought along their own mini gorilla to meet his big brother! Both Gorillas were generously sponsored by Bristol Blue Glass. http://bristol-glass.co.uk/xcart/home.php?cat=

The children, several of them dressed as pirates for the occasion, gave him a fantastic welcome to his summer home at Arnos Vale Cemetery.

The 'Wow Gorillas' project celebrates Bristol Zoo Gardens 175th anniversary, and the sculptures will be out for the public to view until early September. They will then be auctioned to raise money for Gorilla conservation projects and the Bristol Charity 'Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal.' http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/wow-gorillas

Arnos Vale Cemetery run a variety of activities for children including 'Name the Gorilla' and 'Gorilla Colouring' Competitions http://www.arnosvale.org.uk/index.php/whatson/latestevents

Mosha the world at your feet says Hi to Copenhagen

The Elephant Parade Copenhagen hit the streets on June 1st.

100 stunning elephant designs can be seen all over the city until 25th August.

'Mosha the World at your feet', kindly sponsored by Copenhagen Zoo is situated at Nyhavn. She says Hi to Copenhagen! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1NzxggnZsw

She will be auctioned on 8th September and miniature versions are for sale on the Elephant Parade website and in Gallery Stores in Copenhagen, to support the Elephant Family charity which works to save the endangered Asian Elephant.

Gorilla latest

Well I think I've finished painting 'Blackbeard Silverback' aka 'Ed'...after Edward Teach!

Varnishing starts tomorrow!

Bristol Gorilla progress

Day 10

Day 9

I'm nearly there with the painting, the main area left to do is the treasure chest on the chest!

Then a good few coats of varnish.

Bristol Gorilla update more

Day 7

Day 8

Progress seems rather slow now I'm putting more coats of paint on and neatening up, so it's hard to see the difference some days!

It's fun doing the details though. The sea monsters are intended to echo tattoo's because he's a sea faring gentleman!

My sponsor is Bristol Blue Glass and apart from the lovely ultramarine blue colour I've added a message in a bottle...of Bristol Blue Glass of course...haven't decided what the message is!

More Bristol Gorilla update

Day 5

Day 6

Haven't had full days painting and it get's harder to work at a good pace as you get into the more detailed painting, but I'm trying to keep going reasonably fast. My elephant is watching!