‘War + Peace’ Book Update

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Jane Lee McCracken

‘War + Peace’, Selected Biro Drawings 2008 – 2014 by Jane Lee McCracken, Front Cover

This October book No.1/50 of ‘War + Peace’ was auctioned at the Savoy, London and raised £400 for Save Wild Tigers, an organisation dedicated to saving the last 3,200 wild tigers.

There is still time to order a copy before Christmas! ‘War + Peace’ is a limited edition publication of 50 books worldwide, signed and numbered with an original gold tiger drawing made on the back page of each copy.

Here are some page images of ‘War + Peace’:

‘War + Peace’, ‘Kaboom! Where did all the Animals Go?’, 2010 ”TV Screen III – Where East Meets West, Forests’ Memories’, 2010

'TV Screen II - Where Wolves and Bears Dare', 'War + Peace', 2014

‘War + Peace’, ‘TV Screen II – Where Wolves and Bears Dare’, 2011

‘War + Peace’, ‘Butterfly Lover’ 2014

'War + Peace', Selected Biro Drawings 2008 - 2014, by Jane Lee McCracken, 'American Dream' 2014

‘War + Peace’, ‘American Dream’ 2014

About:

“War + Peace’, brings together a selection of my Biro drawings from several bodies of work produced between 2008 – 2014 including ‘Tales from the East’, ‘The Woodcutter’s Cottage’, ‘In Homage to the Last Great Carnivores of Eurasia’ and recent artwork for conservation projects. Inspired by my passion for childhood memoirs, fairy tales, travel, forests and animals and continuing exploration of the themes of ‘war’ and ‘loss’, these multiplex, layered drawings in colour or black Biro are often used as inspiration to create objects and installations. Taking photographs of films and documentaries, my muse Lily, people, animals and found objects as the foundation for my work and building layers of drawn images in Biro, my aim is to make art that represents the beauty and brutal reality of life thus creating ‘memorials of lives lived, both human and animal and ways of life lost’.”

To order a copy or for more information please visit my shop.

Original Gold Tiger drawing on back page of each copy.

Lakshmi … Work in Progress on Tiger Sculpture Tattoo

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Jane Lee McCracken

‘Lakshmi’ blue Biro drawing on Tiger Sculpture, Jane Lee McCracken

Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Vishnu’s wife, embodiment of beauty… this week’s work in progress on ‘Blue Tiger’ Sculpture Tattoo.

Side view of Lakshmi drawing depicting how her shoulder and arm follow the curves of the tiger sculpture’s right shoulder

This blue Biro drawing is inspired by a vintage painting of Lakshmi and an image of a beautiful Italian film star!

Detail Lakshmi’s face

Lakshmi’s curves are enhanced by drawing her body over the muscular shoulder of the tiger.Her head is positioned at 90 degrees to Vishnu’s head drawn on the tiger’s back.

Vishnu and Lakshmi blue Biro tattoos on Tiger Sculpture

Symbolism plays a large part in the work I make forming an intricate web of analogies. Using objects as I find them for making art is also an important part of the process; imperfections tell their own story and if you look closely there are scratches on the surface of the sculpture that have been deliberately retained.

‘King of India’ blue Biro drawing part of Tiger Sculpture Tattoo

Last weeks tattoo drawing ‘King of India’ was drawn over the tiger sculpture’s back leg. Vishnu’s hand is layered through the Bengal tiger’s face.

This work in progress highlights the familiarity of tigers iconic beauty and their symbolic importance to humanity.

‘Weeping Durga’, Tiger Inspired Art

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Jane Lee McCracken

‘Weeping Durga’, 2015 colour Biro Drawing, Jane Lee McCracken

‘Weeping Durga’ Icon, inspired by Hindu iconography celebrates the beauty and majesty of the Bengal Tiger and represents Durga the Tiger Goddess weeping for her tigers threatened with extinction. It is the companion icon for ‘Blue Tiger’ Tattooed Sculpture (work in progress). ‘Blue Tiger’ sculpture stylised and painted white to reflect ancient art and drawn over in blue Biro, looks towards ‘Weeping Durga’ for hope she will protect him. But Durga now looks for the compassion of humans to save tigers from extinction.

‘Blue Tiger’ Tattooed Sculpture, work in progress

‘Weeping Durga’ encapsulates the vibrant colours of Indian culture and Hinduism. It layers drawn images of Bengal Tigers over a drawing of a traditional Hindu icon painting set around a jewel like representation of Durga, which incorporates layered drawn images of two iconic Bollywood Actors, Rekha and Shabana Azami. As with most of my pieces symbolising threat of extinction to a particular species, there are unfinished areas of the drawing representing ‘disappearance’.

Detail of Bengal Tiger and Durga, colour Biro drawing

The drawing took 3 months to make with around half a square inch completed per day. Only 8 colour Biro pens were used with the colours mixed on top of one another within the drawing to achieve the finished palette.

Detail of Bengal Tiger, colour Biro drawing

‘Weeping Durga’ has been donated to Save Wild Tigers for their upcoming event ‘Be Inspired’ at the Savoy, London 9th October 2015. Splendid tiger inspired artwork courtesy of 18 artists to be auctioned in benefit for Save Wild Tigers is now being previewed on Paddle8 with bidding opening on 22nd September – 8th October.

For further information about Save Wild Tigers Savoy Gala Event on 9th October please contact:

Indy@savewildtigers.org

Tiger Sculpture Tattoo coming on!

Posted on September 5, 2015 by Jane Lee McCracken

Tiger Sculpture Tattoo drawing in blue Biro

Rarrrrrr! Voila, le tigre!

Blue Biro tattoo drawing on my tiger sculpture is coming on. As mentioned in my previous post Tiger Sculpture Tattoo…Work in Progress, this is the hardest surface I have drawn on to date as the clay sculpture has been painted to replicate ancient sculptures and icons. Therefore the surface is not smooth and more difficult to achieve fine detail.

Detail of sculpture tattoo blue Biro drawing on curved back of tiger figurine

The layers of images are starting to appear within the blue Biro drawing. Over the body of the Hindu god a roaring tiger’s face is emerging like a graphic t-shirt!

Back of tiger sculpture with blue Biro tattoo drawing.

This piece celebrates the beauty of tigers, one of the most iconic animals on earth, their survival for over 1.8 million years longer than humans who’s existence is relatively short in comparison and our cultural heritage of representing tigers through art.

Much to do!

Tiger Sculpture Tattoo – Work in Progress …

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Jane Lee McCracken

Tiger Sculpture painted white, prepared for drawing on

First sneak peak of blue Biro tattoo drawing in progress on my tiger sculpture … it’s the hardest surface I’ve drawn on to date!

I sculpted the tiger figurine using air-drying clay and it stands one and half feet in height. Inspired by ancient statues and icons, representationally its form echoes ancient and prehistoric art and our need to express the world around us, a world tigers have existed in for over 1.8 million years longer than humans. The sculpture also symbolises the beauty and cultural significance of humanity’s ancient art heritage, which often depicted imagery of wildlife.

Side view of tiger sculpture with beginnings of blue Biro tattoo drawing

In preparation for the blue Biro tattoo and in order to replicate ancient statues I painted the tiger sculpture white rather than give it a contemporary finish. However painting the sculpture creates a textured surface of tiny brush marks, leaving it extremely hard to draw on. But equally the Biro settles over the brush mark grains and forms spontaneous patterns within the drawing

When drawing in Biro your brain adjusts to predicting when the Biro is likely to blot. I use a blotting sheet to remove ink-blots periodically from the nib before continuing drawing. The predictive response working on this surface is lessened as Biro blots more indiscriminately on an uneven surface.

Detail of blue Biro tattoo drawing in progress

With humanity’s cultural heritage in mind the face of the Hindu deity in the tattoo design is significantly layered with a traditional Hindu icon painting and an image of a human face, yet to be revealed! The culminating face celebrates our multi-cultural world and our natural and artistic legacy. The use of an illustrated face layered with a photograph of a real human face retains an animated quality seen in iconography combined with realism.

Note the optical illusion within the face where the layering of the two faces create a sense of movement around the eyes and mouth area.

Overall view of tiger sculpture back and beginnings of tattoo drawing

This piece has been made in solidarity against the destruction of wildlife and ancient art.

Much work to do! Watch this space for further updates on progress and the subject matter behind the drawing.

Print No.1/20 Sold at Auction for Save Wild Tigers!

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Jane Lee McCracken

'Butterfly Lover', Luxury large format Archival Pigment Print of original Biro drawing by Jane Lee McCracken

‘Butterfly Lover’, Luxury large format Archival Pigment Print of original black and neon orange Biro drawing by Jane Lee McCracken

STOP PRESS…PRINT NO.1/20 ‘BUTTERFLY LOVER’

SOLD AT AUCTION AT THE MAJESTIC TIGER BALL, KUALA LUMPUR FOR £1350($2160)…FOR SAVE WILD TIGERS.

HANDFUL OF LARGE FORMAT PRINTS STILL AVAILABLE AT ORIGINAL PRICE…PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO SAVE WILD TIGERS… TO PURCHASE YOUR PRINT AND HELP SAVE THE LAST 3000 WILD TIGERS PLEASE VISIT: www.janeleemccracken/butterflylover

…BEST WISHES JANE…STOP

New Website – Take a Look and See…

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Jane Lee McCracken

Details of eyes from various Biro drawings by Jane Lee McCracken

Launched today, new website with new work, new projects and news of up and coming projects. Take a look and see…

www.janeleemccracken.co.uk

‘Cherry Blossom Girl’ on the Eastern and Oriental Tiger Express

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Jane Lee McCracken

‘Cherry Blossom Girl’ colour Biro drawing on found Oriental Fan, Jane Lee McCracken 2014

From 2nd – 6th October 2014, ‘Cherry Blossom Girl’ my latest artwork made exclusively for Save Wild Tigers (SWT) will embark on an epic journey aboard the Eastern and Oriental Tiger Express. Departing from Raffles Hotel Singapore, travelling through the spectacular Malaysian countryside to Thailand, this original colour Biro drawing on a found Oriental Fan will be auctioned at journey’s end with all proceeds going directly to Save Wild Tigers.

‘Cherry Blossom Girl’ colour Biro drawing on found Oriental Fan and ‘Amoy’ black Biro drawing on red silk box interior, Jane Lee McCracken 2014

‘Cherry Blossom Girl’ symbolises the depth of tradition through the iconography of a hand fan; as tiger species struggle to endure the 21^st century, locked in a battle with traditional medicine, one of the greatest threats to their survival, this piece highlights the fact that tiger evolution is even older than tradition and my belief that tigers should now be placed above tradition in order to preserve them. A fluttering hand fan also represents that tigers teeter on the edge of extinction in the wild. ‘The Legend of the Last South China Tiger’ written and drawn especially for SWT focuses on the fate of the South China Tiger subspecies, which is thought to only survive in captivity.

“In creating ‘Cherry Blossom Girl”, I wanted to portray ‘hope’ that it is possible to save wild tigers. Saving tigers has been a lifelong passion since I was a small child and learned that the Caspian Tiger had finally been declared extinct. I hope this piece echoes the wondrous sights passengers will absorb during their journey and serve as a memento of an extraordinary experience. It was a challenging piece to make, drawing directly onto a wooden fan with colour Biro, a medium that allows no room for error. But this resonates with the hard work of SWT, a cause dedicated to maintaining the enrichment of our world by allowing us to share it with one of the most beautiful creatures that has ever existed.”

‘Cherry Blossom Girl’ colour Biro drawing on found Oriental Fan, detail

Guests onboard The Tiger Express are bound for SWT’s event of the year ‘The Majestic Tiger Ball’, The Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on 3rd October 2014. SWT have organised a spectacular evening of entertainment from ballet to fashion to an auction of exquisite tiger art. Included in the Majestic Tiger Ball art auction are luxury large print No.1/20 ‘Butterfly Lover’ and No’s 2/200 china plates ‘Shhh, it’s a Tiger!” and “Bang!”.

For further information about Save Wild Tigers inspirational ‘Inspire’ events this October please visit www.savewildtigers.org

The complete legend is now available to read at www.janeleemccracken.co.uk

Happy Global Tiger Day! ‘Butterfly Lover’ Prints

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Jane Lee McCracken

‘Butterfly Lover’, Luxury large format Archival Pigment Print of original Biro drawing by Jane Lee McCracken

Happy Global Tiger Day!

There are still luxury large format Archival Pigment prints of ‘Butterfly Lover’ available with all profits donated to SAVE WILD TIGERS.

Beautifully crafted to order by one of the finest master printmakers in the UK, Jack Lowe, these 50cm x 50cm limited edition of 20, signed and numbered Archival Pigment Prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308gsm are reproduced from my original black and neon orange Biro drawing.

With less than 3200 tigers left in the wild, SAVE WILD TIGERS helping to raise funds for their vital work, saving tigers in the wild.

Prints are priced at £225 including P&P.

For enquiries & print orders please visit my online SHOP.

_______________________

‘Butterfly Lover’ is part of my triptych ‘The Legend of the Last South China Tiger’ which was written and drawn especially for SAVE WILD TIGERS ‘Thrive’ Exhibition, curated by Lauren Baker, 14^th – 18^th May 2014, Sanderson Hotel, London and Tiger Dinner Auction at the Mango Tree 20th May, 2014. For further information about SAVE WILD TIGERS please visit their website.

‘BUTTERFLY LOVER’ Luxury Large Format Prints for SAVE WILD TIGERS

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Jane Lee McCracken

‘Butterfly Lover’, Luxury large format Archival Pigment Print of original Biro drawing by Jane Lee McCracken, 2014

20 LUXURY LARGE FORMAT Archival Pigment Prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308gsm of ‘Butterfly Lover’ are now AVAILABLE in aid of SAVE WILD TIGERS.

Beautifully crafted to order by one of the finest master printmakers in the UK, Jack Lowe, these 50cm x 50cm limited edition, signed and numbered prints are reproduced from my original black and neon orange Biro drawing.

With less than 3500 tigers left in the wild, ALL profits of each print sale will be donated to SAVE WILD TIGERS helping to raise funds for their vital work, saving tigers in the wild.

Prints retail at £225 including P&P.

For enquiries & print orders please visit my online SHOP.

_______________________

‘Butterfly Lover’ is part of my triptych ‘THE LEGEND OF THE LAST SOUTH CHINA TIGER’ which was written and drawn especially for SAVE WILD TIGERS ‘Thrive’ Exhibition, curated by Lauren Baker, 14^th – 18^th May 2014, Sanderson Hotel, London and Tiger Dinner Auction at the Mango Tree 20th May, 2014. For further information about SAVE WILD TIGERS please visit their website.

Jane Lee McCracken, Artist

www.janeleemccracken.co.uk

Tag Archives: Tigers

‘War + Peace’ Book Update

Lakshmi … Work in Progress on Tiger Sculpture Tattoo

‘Weeping Durga’, Tiger Inspired Art

Tiger Sculpture Tattoo coming on!

Tiger Sculpture Tattoo – Work in Progress …

Print No.1/20 Sold at Auction for Save Wild Tigers!

New Website – Take a Look and See…

‘Cherry Blossom Girl’ on the Eastern and Oriental Tiger Express

Happy Global Tiger Day! ‘Butterfly Lover’ Prints

‘BUTTERFLY LOVER’ Luxury Large Format Prints for SAVE WILD TIGERS

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