National Meadows Day Sign
The first Saturday in July each year marks a special occasion close to my heart - National Meadows Day, dedicated to celebrating the beauty of wildflower meadows. As an illustrator who finds true joy in depicting plants through drawing and painting, gazing upon a meadow feels like exploring a treasure trove of delights. You never know what hidden gems you might discover as you feast your eyes on the enchanting sight.
However, despite their enchanting allure, our national meadows are dwindling, making National Meadows Day all the more crucial in raising awareness and appreciation for these precious habitats.
In recent decades, the United Kingdom has witnessed a stark decline in its once-thriving wildflower meadows, raising concerns among conservationists and nature enthusiasts alike. Startling statistics reveal that since the 1930s, a staggering 97% of wildflower meadows have vanished from the British countryside, leaving only fragmented patches of their once-vibrant tapestry. The primary drivers behind this concerning decline include intensive agricultural practices, urbanization, and changes in land management. Encroaching development and conversion of meadowlands into intensive agricultural fields have significantly reduced the availability of suitable habitats for wildflowers. Additionally, modern farming techniques, such as the use of herbicides and fertilizers, have inadvertently contributed to the loss of wildflower diversity, leading to a devastating impact on the delicate balance of the ecosystem. As these statistics continue to paint a concerning picture, the urgency to protect and restore these precious meadows becomes paramount in safeguarding the rich biodiversity and natural heritage of the United Kingdom.
Recently, I had the privilege of being approached by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust with a special commission. They sought my artistic touch to create a unique sign that could double up as a spotting board for some of the most commonly found wildflower species in the Forest of Bowland.
This is in essence a piece of hand-crafted Interpretive signage, also known as informational or educational signage. Signage like this plays a crucial role in communicating insights and knowledge about natural, historical, or cultural sites to visitors. These thoughtfully illustrated signs serve as engaging storytellers, providing context and meaning to the environment they adorn. Through a harmonious combination of text, images, and graphics, interpretive signage imparts valuable information, encourages curiosity, and fosters a deeper connection between visitors and the subject matter.
Our collaboration began with thoughtful discussions on the practical aspects of the design, considering its portability and functionality. We settled on a two-piece design consisting of a high-quality artist easel and a separable sign with multifunctional fastenings on the reverse. Moreover, the sign needed to be weatherproof, designed to withstand exposure to the elements for days or even weeks.
I delved into preliminary sketches, ensuring the meadow inhabitants would be rendered with a perfect blend of style and fidelity, allowing them to be instantly recognizable. With an agreed plan in place, we were well-prepared before commencing the work.
Using locally sourced wood as my canvas, decided to bring the sign to life with the magic of traditional water-based gouache. This paint consists of pigment particles suspended in a water-soluble binder, providing artists with the ability to create striking artworks with vibrant hues and remarkable coverage. Unlike watercolours, gouache offers excellent opacity, making it ideal for achieving bold, solid areas of colour and dynamic contrasts. Artists cherish gouache for its flexibility, as it can be applied thinly as a transparent wash or layered thickly for a more textured effect. This adaptable and expressive nature makes gouache a favourite among illustrators, fine artists, and designers seeking to breathe life into their creations with a touch of magic and mastery. To add an extra touch of allure, I blended in metallics, infusing depth and captivating details that would captivate anyone who ventured up close.
The painting process unfolded in three stages, starting with the background and then building up two more layers of resin, with paints meticulously applied in between. The result was an array of flowers bursting with lovely depth and alluring drop shadows, a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship poured into the project.
The entire process of painting, resin pouring, and returning to painting took a total of two weeks, with ample time in between to allow the resin to solidify, ensuring the creation of a practical, informative, and stunning sign. It has already stood proudly on display after being delivered to the client.
The creation of this special sign serves as a testament to the beauty and importance of wildflower meadows, as well as the magic that unfolds when art and nature intertwine. It is my hope that this artful ode to the meadow inhabitants will ignite an appreciation and spark conversations about the significance of preserving these precious and magical habitats for generations to come.
You can find more information about this project in my portfolio: Meadows Day Sign