Visitors to Stroud during Site 2012

The lovely sunny weather brought crowds of people out for the week-end, and many of them visited my studio in Stroud, which was open along with many others for  Open Studios 2012.  I had visitors from USA, Canada, France, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia as well as from other parts of the UK and local people too.  A steady flow of people enjoyed the pictures and I always love discovering that so many visitors have a special hobby or interesting story to tell too.  Seeing my letter from the Queen thanking me for my Jubilee inspired Union Jack card, prompted one visitor to relate a story of someone she knew who sent the Queen a raven as a gift this year - one of her more unusual presents I would think, and I did wonder quite how it was delivered!   Another guest recalled his visit to an Indian post office and having to wait for the return of the man who would frank his postcards to ensure that the stamps were not removed before despatch.  So many people have been stamp collectors at some time in their life and I hope I am able to convey my own appreciation of a hobby that can bring so much interest as well as for me being a means to create what I hope are interesting works of art. 
This year I also produced a quiz for children to complete, and  was rewarded with such comments as, "Your work is ace!" and "Awesome art", as the quiz questions helped them to look closely at the pictures.   
Tea and cupcakes were also available - very civilised!
The studios will be open again on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th from 11 am - 6 pm.

see http://www.sitefestival.org.uk/  for details of all the studios - mine is on page20 venue 35 at The Lawn, 132 Bisley Road, Stroud tel. 01453 757933.

Diamond Jubilee Union Jack Stamp Collage

To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II this year, I've updated my Union Jack stamp collage using stamps of Great Britain issued during her 60 year reign. The very first ones to appear on 6th February 1952 were definitives including the 1d blue and 2 1/2d red. Coronation stamps were issued the next year - a set of four including the 2 1/d red and 4d blue.

A set of stamps showing castles was issued in 1955 including one featured in my flag, the 10/- (10 shillings) blue depicting Edinburgh Castle. Too many stamps to mention them all, but iconic images appear including the Word Cup 1966 stamp and a later issue of 1999 showing the England Captain Bobby Moore with the trophy.That great ship, the QE2 and the first flight of Concorde, are shown on stamps issued in 1969. The Queen's portrait is printed every stamp issued by Great Britain, but there are many here also featuring special events and dates in her life. The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales also appear, and appropriately a stamp featuring the Union flag or Union Jack as it is popularly known flies next to a stamp with the Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip together.

This stamp collage is available to purchase as a canvas print size approx 30 x 40 cms priced at £70 and also as a greetings card at £3. Other sizes also available on request.

A great way to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee!