My initials, monograms, names and words are carefully designed to celebrate, in a unique way, the person they are created for. I draw from my training in medieval manuscripts and love of vintage illustrations to create designs that are both rooted in legacy and appealing to the modern eye. The materials are all of high quality, including pure 24ct gold for the gilded elements.
Molly's monogram was commissioned by her uncle for her 5th birthday. Born in late August, the painting captures the transition from summer to autumn with red tinged leaves, ripe blackberries and busy field mice.
The turning season is also reflected in the metalwork of the initials as they transition from warm gold to autumnal bronze. Every year, each new crop of blackberries will remind her of her birthday.
St John's Eagle was commissioned as a thank you gift for John, a lover of medieval art. John's initial is painted in the style of the 12th century Winchester Bible, capturing the stylised foliage and saturated blues and reds. The initial is further personalised by the eagle in the medallion, a traditional symbol of John the Evangelist.
Renaissance Flourish was commissioned for Joanna - a gift from one Art Historian to another. The initial was designed to reflect Joanna's love of early Italian art, using as inspiration one of the British Library's most exquisite Sienese manuscripts of Dante's Divine Comedy.
Rich reds and blues are set against softer pinks and greens, capturing the more organic quality of the Renaissance period, echoed again in the uncontrolled cascade of flora and fauna.
James's initial was painted to celebrate his first birthday.
The seasonal cycle of his first year is reflected in the foliate border, which evolves in colour from the yellow-greens of spring to the silver-blues of winter. The chivalrous knight in combat with a snail, an eccentric pairing popular in medieval manuscripts, will provide scope for the imagination throughout his childhood and beyond.
The Princess and the Dragon was commissioned for Estelle's first birthday by her parents, who wanted to capture their daughter's beauty and strength.
The image portrays a strong female protagonist by combining the heroic figure of Joan of Arc with the idea of St George fighting the dragon. These two references, along with the French chateaux in the background, are also personally relevant to Estelle as they highlight her French and British heritage.
Knights in combat with snails, an eccentric and popular sight in medieval manuscript borders, captures Ben's witty humour.
The painting was commissioned by his partner as a birthday gift, serving to not only depict his name, but also his French heritage, breadth of intellect, depth of imagination and playful character.
A little girl called Phoebe stands amidst a border of April flowers, the month in which she was born. Surrounded by crocuses, periwinkle, anemone and magnolia, she gazes upon the moon, from which spills lines of liquid gold.
The painting was commissioned by Pheobe's parents for her birthday. The meaning of Phoebe's name is shown in the presence of the moon, and her birth is celebrated in the flowers that surround her. The painting is inspired by vintage children's book covers, a family passion, bringing together a design that is personal and meaningful to the whole family in some way or other.
A is for Appleblossom... the first of an alphabet series that can be mixed and matched to suit personal preferences. The lettering is Renaissance inspired to give a timeless and elegant feel to the painting. The letter is gilded using pure 24ct gold, and decorated with colourful, loose brushwork, inspired in style by vintage children's illustrations including Brambly Hedge, the Flower Fairies and Beatrix Potter.
20x20cm unframed
