“Seawind”, purple Biro drawing, 2012 by Jane Lee McCracken
The halcyon days of childhood, inspiration for so much! Anyone remember this?
‘The White Horses’, Jackie Lee
Enjoy your memories!
“On White Horses, Snowy White Horses…”
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Tag Archives: Biro
Where Wolves and Bears Dare!
‘TV Screen II – “Where Wolves and Bears Dare”, 2009, colour Biro drawing by Jane Lee McCracken
After the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 people were evacuated from the disaster zone. With humans gone from the countryside, wildlife began to take over the homes of the previous occupants, finally realising the tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears! Taking my own photographs of the Discovery Channel’s documentary ‘Chernobyl: Life in The Dead Zone’, 2007, I drew layers of images from five stills weaving together a wolf, a bear, a kitten and toys of the former occupants into a new interior setting ‘where wolves and bears dare’ to roam. The title also suggests a link to my favourite war film “Where Eagles Dare” and the war between nature and man. This piece represents the harmony nature re-encounters without human disruption as well as Nature’s infallibility to human destruction. Has nature won this war? Only time will tell, but it appears to be thriving in the most radioactively contaminated area in the world. With people refused access to live there, other than some 100 or so elderly inhabitants of 11 villages, it is to be hoped this Involuntary Park where rare Lynx along with Brown Bears who had disappeared from the area over 100 years ago and have returned again, is left to flourish.
This drawing took some 3 months to complete, working on a square inch per day as colours are mixed directly on the paper and the complexity of deciding as I draw what should be layered over what to produce a projected, abstract effect makes for painstaking work in its entirety.
Luxury Archival Pigment Prints of ‘TV Screen II – “Where Wolves and Bears Dare!”‘ made by the marvellous Jack Lowe studio are available to order from my website
‘TV Screen II – “Where Wolves and Bears Dare”, 2009, Archival Pigment Print
ATKA Print Sales Update! Nearly $400 reached
‘Atka’, 2013, original black Biro drawing
Thank you so much to everyone who has shown interest in the print of ‘Atka’!
I am pleased to say print sale donations to the Wolf Conservation Center, New York have reached nearly $400! Thank you so much to everyone who has bought a print and given directly to WCC, NY to help conserve US wolves!
It is with great sadness and disappointment in our species that I read everyday of more wolves being killed or threatened in the U.S. But thanks to organisations such as WCC who work tirelessly to educate and conserve wolves we can feel proud that so many care what happens to wolves. And obviously the star of all wolves, the special one, ‘Atka’ who has dedicated his life to help WCC with their work, cannot be forgotten!
The print of Atka is a luxurious, high quality, signed and numbered art print which I can proudly say is made by the best printmaker from our fair isle, Jack Lowe Studio! It is an open edition so that as many dollars as possible can be raised for WCC and ALL profits from each print sale are donated directly to them.
It would make a very special gift for a special person!
To purchase an ‘Atka’ print or for further information:
www.janeleemccracken.co.uk/shop/conservation art prints
Thank you for your support for Atka and his friends!
‘Atka’, 2013, Archival Pigment print of Biro drawing by Jane Lee McCracken, printed by Jack Lowe Studio.
The Wolf’s House
“The Wolf’s House”, 2012, black Biro drawings and mixed media by Jane Lee McCracken
Outside a white-out blizzard howls, while war is waged through it. Mrs Wolf throws open the door of ‘The Wolf’s House’ and looks out at the soldiers fighting around her cottage.
‘The Wolf’s House’ is symbolically one of the simplest pieces I have created for it simply asks “who is more civilised, man or animals?”. A take on the iconic cuckoo clock, it was inspired by a cuckoo clock my father brought back to Scotland for me after a trip to Switzerland, when I was a child.
Black Biro drawing of Lily and ‘Mrs Wolf’. ‘
The piece explores the juxtaposition of the roles of man and animals suggesting the idea of the ‘innocent’ instinctive nature of animals as opposed to the cerebrally determined brutal nature of man. ‘The Wolf’s House’ is a beacon of light representing civilised society whilst chaos reigns outside; but it is occupied by wolves not humans.
“The Wolf’s House”, 2013, ‘The Woodcutter’s Cottage’ exhibition, The Mercer Gallery, Harrogate.
Soldiers fight in the snow around the Wolf’s House whilst Mr and Mrs Wolf witness war, as animals of the forest play peacefully inside the house. However there is an ever present threat from humans.
‘The Wolf’s House’ roof detail, black Biro drawing of Lily on painted MDF
Further inspiration for the piece came from a photograph of Russian soldiers fighting through a village towards Germany after the end of the battle of Stalingrad when the tide of war has changed. I imagined a cottage somewhere in Eastern Europe encircled by soldiers fighting a brutal war.
Official USSR photograph of Red Army in combat WWII, Artist’s own collection.
‘The Wolf’s House is a mixed media piece which includes original black Biro drawings of Lily drawn on painted, sanded MDF. Model railway snow and glitter were used to create the winter snow scene on the roof and base. Printed transfers on fabric formed the wallpaper of the interior walls, complete with propaganda posters specifically designed for the piece. I sourced replica Russian F1 hand grenades which were then painted with white enamel as were the model soldiers, German Assault Infantry in winter gear and Russian Army Assault Infantry. An authentic cuckoo clock chain bought from a clock shop holds the hand grenade weights of the clock. ‘Mr and Mrs Wolf’ were made from casts taken of the wolves heads from my wedding cake-topper and the bodies of vintage Polish Capelia dolls bought on Ebay.
‘The Wolf’s House’ interior
Mr Wolf sits by the window surrounded by propaganda posters and watches bears, a wolf, a fox and a tiger cub playing together.
‘The Wolf’s House’ interior shot through side window.
‘The Wolf’s House’ interior shot through front window.
Their play indicates that each species has it’s own social structure and behaviour which is rarely disregarded but whilst humans have a highly developed sense of morality, the moral codes by which we live are often breached.
‘”Save Us!’, 2012, Propaganda poster for the Wolf’s House, photo montage by Jane Lee McCracken
Ultimately the futures of many species’ are held in our hands and this is symbolised by ‘The Wolf’s House’ and the ever present battle around the house and its occupants.
Russian model soldiers fighting in the snow around ‘The Wolf’s House’
Luxury Archival Pigment Prints of ‘Save Us!’ made by the excellent Jack Lowe studio are available to order from my website
‘”Save Us!’, Propaganda poster for the Wolf’s House, Archival Pigment Print
Take One Puppy, her First Bed and a Proud Nation of Animal Lovers!
‘Lily’ aged 15 weeks during the photo shoot for ‘The Red Horse and the Wolf Cub’, 2007
For all those who requested to see the photo-shoot of Lily for the drawing ‘Red Horse and the Wolf Cub’ – here it is in brief!!
Lily on location relaxing during the shoot!
Lily’s first bed was a red velvet affair with gaudy gold tassels – we called it her ‘Princess Bed’ as it reminded us of the fairy tale ‘The Princess and the Pea’ (for all us children of the 70’s, remember the Ladybird edition of the tale and those fabulous illustrations?).
Lily is given Pengy as a gift for her hard work modelling.
She loved her wee bed! Sadly it went the same way as the demise of ‘Pengy’, reduced to a small rag of red velvet! Pengy was latterly known as ‘Pengy’s Foot’ when Lily realised she had teeth and would use them! Sid from Toy Story would have been be proud of her.
“I have teeth woo hoo!”
“I’m getting bored and sleepy now!”
Pengy’s foot resides somewhere in the dark recesses of Lily’s toy box! Yes Lily has a toy box – for all you cynics out there who can be heard saying ‘typical childless person treating her dog like a baby!’ dogs are intelligent enough to differentiate between their toys and Lily knows each of her many (hence the need for a toy box!) toys by name and can often be found rooting around in her toy box looking for the particular mutilated creature she wants to play with at 5 o’clock sparrow am. I always see play as an important part of Lily’s daily routine as it keeps her young at heart. And can she play!
“Shh, Lily’s asleep!”
On a serious note many people, whether they have children or don’t have children, sadly or contentedly, or are dog or animal lovers, experience a strength of love for their dog that equates to the love of a family member because dogs are intelligent, pack animals with similar character traits to humans and therefore respond positively to love and affection.
Me and Lily, 2007
And what the hell if there are many of us out there who love our dogs like children – they are after all as innocent and reliant upon us, in my opinion as a child is and to give dogs a happy, loving home is surely what they deserve after the legacy we have created through domesticating canines. Should we not celebrate and promote positively that many of our species share an empathy with and a love for animals? Such empathy defines a nation as a compassionate modern society and a nation of animal lovers is something to be proud of.
Lily and me, 2007
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated“ Gandhi
‘Red Horse and the Wolf Cub – After Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone’, 2009, red and black Biro drawing by Jane Lee McCracken
And this is the result of the photo shoot, Lily as the ‘Wolf Cub’.
Limited Edition Luxurious Archival Pigment Prints of the ‘Red Horse and the Wolf Cub’ crafted by one of the best printmaker’s in the UK Jack Lowe Studio are available from my website
‘Lily and the Kids’ – In the Deep, Dark Forests of Europe
‘Lily and the Kids’, by Jane Lee McCracken, 2012, quilt square design, blue and black Biro drawing and vintage German postcard of Der Wolf und die sieben Geißlein
“Once upon a time there lived a Woodcutter in a cottage, deep in the forests of Europe, who collected images and objects. No one ever saw the Woodcutter for he was a recluse and preferred the company of the forest animals rather than people. But he saw everything, the good and the bad. At first life and death as Nature intended and in time, life and death in Man’s own way. The Woodcutter’s only companion was a television set where he gained his knowledge of the world outside the forests through film. The forest animals came and went over time, the people and the wars. And in response to all he saw in the forests and on the screen he made art – drawings and objects to remember the animals and people by and to ask ‘WHY?'”
‘Lily and the Kids’ is the first of a quintet of quilt squares specifically designed for ‘The Woodcutter’s Quilt’ which was part of the installation for ‘The Woodcutter’s Cottage’ Exhibition. The quintet was created using black, blue and colour Biro drawings, vintage postcards bought on Ebay from my own collection and stills from Russian animation films.
‘The Woodcutter’s Quilt’, 2012, transfers on calico, hand embroidery and black silk by Jane Lee McCracken
The other four squares include:
‘Bear’
‘Bear’, by Jane Lee McCracken, 2012, quilt square design, colour Biro drawing and vintage German postcard of Snow White
‘Ice Fox’
‘Ice Fox’, by Jane Lee McCracken, 2012, quilt square design, colour Biro drawing and Ivan Bilibin postcard
‘Siberian Tiger’
‘Siberian Tiger’, Jane Lee McCracken, 2012, quilt square design, colour Biro drawing and Ivan Bilibin postcard
‘Doll, Pink Boris and the Rabbit’
‘Doll, Pink Boris and The Rabbit’, Jane Lee McCracken, 2012, quilt square design, colour Biro drawing and Artist’s still of the animation ‘Fox and Rabbit’ by Yuri Norstein, 1973
‘Lily and the Kids’ and ‘Bear’ limited edition Archival Pigment Prints made by the excellent Jack Lowe Studio are sold with profits donated to the Wolves and Humans Foundation
‘Ice Fox’ and ‘Siberian Tiger’ limited edition Archival Pigment Prints also made by Jack Lowe Studio are sold with profits donated to the Born Free Foundation
For further information on prints please visit my website
HAPPY BURNS DAY!
And to the Haggis,
“Fair fa’ your honest, soncie face,
Great Chieftain o’ the puddin race”
Death’s-head Hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) – Biro Drawing Moth Series
‘Death’s-head Hawkmoth’, 2012, colour Biro drawing by Jane Lee McCracken
‘Death’s-head Hawkmoth’, is the first of a quartet of colour Biro drawings of British Moth species celebrating the beauty of moths. The drawings were created as integral elements in the pattern design for the ‘British Moth Throw’, made in 2012.
‘British Moth Entomology Drawer’, 2013 by Jane Lee McCracken, the Mercer Gallery Harrogate. Dressing table is Artist’s Grandmother’s, circa 1940
The ‘British Moth Throw’ illustrates the beauty of moths and attempts to dispel their image as dusty, cloth eaters whilst highlighting the rapid and devastating depletion of many British Moth species.
‘British Moth Throw’, 2012, detail, hand-cut transfers on calico
‘British Moth Throw’, 2012, detail, hand-cut transfers on calico
Made from printed transfers, hand-cut and applied to calico the throw is displayed on the Artist’s Grandmother’s Jacobean bed, circa 1940.
‘British Moth Throw’ displayed in 2013 at the Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate – Artist’s Grandmother’s bed circa 1940
Prints of the British Moths series are available from my website shop and are sold in aid of UK charity ‘Butterfly Conservation’
‘Small Elephant Hawk-moth’, 2012, colour Biro drawing by Jane Lee McCracken
‘ATKA’ Wolf Drawing Raises over $1500 for Wolf Conservation Center
‘Atka’, 2013, original black Biro drawing by Jane Lee McCracken
‘Atka‘ original Biro drawing was auctioned on 13th December 2013 at the Wolf Conservation Center, NY‘s annual Wine and Wolves fundraiser. Thank you so, so much to the winner and I hope you enjoy your drawing! Every dollar helps the Wolf Conservation Center, NY promote the conservation and protection of wolves. For more information about magnificent Atka and his friends please visit WCC, NY’s website.
Since the auction a luxury print edition of the original ‘ATKA’ drawing has been released and ALL profits from the sale of each print will be donated to the WCC for wolf conservation.
Luxurious Archival Pigment Prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308gsm from the original Biro drawing are especially made to order crafted by prestigious photographer Jack Lowe of Jack Lowe Studio one of the best printmaker’s in the UK.
To purchase an ‘Atka’ print or for further information:
www.janeleemccracken.co.uk/shop/conservation art prints
‘Atka’, 2013, detail from original black Biro drawing
A Year in Pictures – Art Muse LILY takes Life in her Stride
Lily, star of many drawings by artist Jane Lee McCracken reveals a year in her life as an art muse, what she will be eating for dinner this Christmas and her special Christmas wish.
January – “I love snow! I like to run at it with my mouth open like a snow plough so I can eat as much of it as I can in one go.”
February – “This is one of my favourite drawings where I got a big starring role as the white wolf. I liked modelling this cool i-pad cover too!”
March – “Early rehearsals began for this year’s nativity! (I put my ears back when I’m happy so could wear Mary’s headscarf with ease)”
April – “I have to do a lot of sitting around during modelling shoots. I just go to sleep and boom wake up for the camera”
May – “In my recreational time I love to lie in the garden amongst the flowers and sleep. I often dream about rabbits and barking at other dogs”
June – “I love to go to the pub, particularly the beer garden of the Olde Ship in Seahouses, Northumberland”
July – “This year I was centre stage in an exhibition at The Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate, England and went down to trip the light fantastic and meet the people of Harrogate who were very nice”
August- “Summer brings clover and I love to lie in it and pretend to catch bees!”
September- “This is the year that I learnt to open the back door and let myself in and then I wanted to let myself out again as the football was on!”
October – “Cuddling my playmate is a very important part of my daily routine and now the mornings are dark I find it increasingly difficult to get out of bed for walks, I’d rather just have hugs”
November – “Atka’s my pin-up boy, I’d love to meet him one day!”
December – “My friend Joe Bason made me this Christmas bow-tie, isn’ it gorgeous?! I love wearing it when I go to the shops with my owner, it goes with my Red Dingo collar! (Thank you also to my friend Juliet of KimonoKraft Love you Long Time http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KimonoKraft for being the inspiration behind my calendar!)
So Lily what will you be eating for Christmas this year? –
“I just can’t resist it, I’ll be having a bowl of my favourite food, Chappie and then a whole Dentastick after my owners have eaten their Christmas dinner. But probably when they’re not looking my Granny and Auntie Karen will sneak me roast potatoes and maybe some Haribo Starmix as I love them!”
Have you got any special Christmas wishes? – “My owners bought me from a breeder who didn’t tell them that Northern Inuits can never be left on their own, plus they didn’t do enough research about my breed before they bought me. I’m lucky, they love me very much, but it’s hard work making sure that I’m cared for 24 hours a day. I get very distressed if I’m left on my own. If you can’t give proper care to specialist breeds like me give a rescue dog who’s not a Diva a loving home instead.”
Sponsored by http://www.dogonthepitch.co.uk/
‘ATKA’, Ambassador Wolf Art PRINT – Wolf Conservation Center, NY
‘Atka’, 2013 Luxury Archival Pigment Print by Jane Lee McCracken
Prints of ‘Atka’, Ambassador Wolf of the Wolf Conservation Center, NY are now available to order with ALL profits donated to WWC, helping to protect wolves.
Luxurious Archival Pigment Prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308gsm from the original Biro drawing of ‘Atka’ by artist Jane Lee McCracken are especially made to order crafted by prestigious photographer and printmaker http://mrjacklowe.com/ one of the best printmaker’s in the UK.
To purchase an ‘Atka’ print or for further information:
www.janeleemccracken.co.uk/shop/conservation art prints
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‘Atka’, 2013, detail of black Biro drawing by Jane Lee McCracken
Magnificent Atka has dedicated his life to educating people about protecting his wild brothers and sisters. Wolves in America are having a bit of a hard time and need all the help they can get.
That’s why the original Biro drawing of ‘Atka’ was created and winged its way from Newcastle, England to New York State for WCC Wine and Wolves fundraiser on 12th December 2013. Since 1999 WCC has been teaching people about wolves and their role in the environment.
If you’re not familiar with WCC already, have a look at the sterling work they do for wolves http://nywolf.org/
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‘Atka’ Ambassador Wolf, photo courtesy of WCC
Jane Lee McCracken, Artist 