Peek inside my sketchbook..

So what inspired me whilst chilling at the V & A? Well, I'll let you into a little secret - I'm a HUGE Pre-Raphaelite fan, in particular Dante Gabriel Rossetti. He's so dreamy with his romantic style. I find myself getting lost in dramatic flowing fabrics and serene scenes of medieval chivalry.


























Inspiration hit me in the face after learning the painting 'The Day Dream' was inspired by a poem he wrote. Oh yes, he wrote poetry! (For me). I really liked this idea, and researched more into Rossetti’s poems. I found myself day dreaming over a romantic poem called ‘The Blessed Damozel’ about an angel outside heaven, pining for her lover back on earth. Alas they cannot be together! The imagery in the poem inspired the imagery in my print, such as ‘The Blessed Damozel lean'd out 
From the gold bar of Heaven; She had three lilies in her hand,’ ‘And laid her face between her hands,
 And wept’. After several preliminary sketches, I confirmed my composition.



Pictures of the prints to come..

New Project - V & A 'Inspired by...'

Hamo Thornycrofts 'Lots Wife'

It's a grey day in February, the rain is horizontal, my fingers are purple, and its still 2 weeks til pay day. 

The free warmth of the Victoria and Albert Museum lures me in, sketchbook in hand. I'm on a mission to be inspired. No really, the new exhibition I'm entering is called 'Inspired By..'

Run by the Morley Gallery, the idea being to create an original art work inspired by any piece in the V & A. What an awesome concept! I was sold.

Shimmying my way through teenage tourists from Europe, I found myself feeling the pressure to find that awe inspiring work which would trigger some amazing idea for a print.

How bout this? The highlighted figure of a classical beauty glows at the top of the stairs. 'Lots wife' by Hamo Thornycroft (great name by the way!) looks back at the village she is fleeing, only to turn to stone. Gutted. But I do love her dress.

Guy Chilling

Or how bout this guy? Just chilling, the hallway is where all the best art's at anyway.

This is where I am dwarfed by the magnificent cartoons by Leighton. It's not even finished and yet it's stunning to look at. There is a lot going on, but I'm sold on the dresses again. I do love a good bit of drapery. I'm sensing a theme here!

To really appreciate the Museum I need the best part of a day. There are so many rooms, themes, exhibitions and era's to get through! I chose the periods in time I would've liked to have been part of, and head off in the direction of stained glass windows and Pre-Raphaelites paintings.

Stay tuned to see where this inspiration led me!

If you get the chance, next time you find yourself caught in the winter winds of London, see what inspires you in one of the many free Museums. And why.

Detail of a cartoon by Leighton

New Medieval Room in V & A