Chinese New Year - Chinese Flag

Red is the traditional colour of China, and yellow is said to be lucky! The large yellow star symbolises the communist ideology and the four small stars the regions of China, the total number, five, being important in Chinese philosophy.

This stamp collage is made up entirely of Chinese stamps depicting many aspects of China's history, landscape, political leaderships and culture.

Kylie Minogue on a stamp

Found these in a heap of Australian stamps - They're part of a set of 10 issued in 2001 celebrating great Australian contemporary music. Australia Day is 26th January 2012 so thought I'd go on an Australian theme! Down Under by Men at Work was a hit in 1981 and Kylie Minogue's hit, Confide in Me came out in 1994.

People collect all sorts of stamps and Music themed stamps are always popular. There are several others with Kylie Minogue on, but haven't yet come across them in the heap!

Australia Day 26th January 2012

Look closer : this Australian flag is made of Australian stamps. So much to see, from beautiful scenery, native Australian wildlife and flowers to that famous Australian song, Waltzing Matilda.

This picture is available as a canvas print and as a greetings card. Contact me for details.

New website and email address

I have a new site, now up and running! Please feel free to have a look, over at rachelmarkwick.co.uk!
I also have a new email address- something a little more personal. Please email me with any queries you may have about any of my work at markwickrachel@gmail.com.

Raw materials waiting to be transformed into more stamp collages!

Scottish Flag

Burns night celebrations on 25th January! Spot the poet, Robert Burns in my stamp collaged Scottish flag, which is the cross of St Andrew, also known as the Saltire. This will shortly be available as a greetings card, and also as a canvas print, approximately A3 size. Please contact me for further details by e mail to markwickfamily@aol.com

Valentine's Day - Valentine Card

With Valentine's Day fast approaching on 14th February, this pretty design made entirely from US LOVE Greetings stamps is available as a canvas print or card. Varous sizes available.

Can be ordered direct from Rachel Markwick email: markwickfamily@aol.com and can also be purchased from Made In Stroud Shop, Stroud, Gloucestershire.

Secret Artist - Secret Garden

You can now see a print version of the original Secret Garden I donated to the Museum in the Park Secret Artist project. I so enjoyed making this that I've decided to make another one, but it will look very different as I'll be using different stamps - could do a "Spot the Difference" game when it's finished maybe!

New year, new work in readiness for the Open Studios Festival in Stroud which is a month earlier this year. Dates for your diary: Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th May 2012, and Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May. 11 - 6 pm each day. My studio is in Bisley Road and all details will be available in the Site 12 Brochure available nearer the time. Over 90 artists took part last year and this will be another exciting event. Just remember: MAY, not June this year though!