Garden Tiger Moth

I first became aware of the Garden Tiger moth when I bought the Julia Donaldson story The Woolly Bear Caterpillar to read to my children. The plot has a bit of an Ugly Duckling vibe to it, of how a plain and boring looking caterpillar grows up to be a vibrant and dazzling moth. My kids loved the story but none of us had ever actually seen one in real life. Until.....on our yearly camping trip at Waxham Sands in the summer of 2023 my son Oscar came running excitedly over to me with something in his hand! It was a Garden Tiger Moth! The joy of seeing the creature we had read about over and over in our bedtime stories was overwhelming, he couldn't wait to show me and his sister Issy. The moth really was a joy to behold with its striped upper wings, which open to flash us with blue spots on a vibrant orange background. I just had to paint this moth to the capture the feeling of happiness at meeting this extraordinary creature which had before only existed as a figment of our imaginations, derived from a story book. It might sound a little dramatic but it really did feel a little like a dream coming true! We returned to Waxham the following summer and we were treated to seeing our fairy tale moth yet again.

I meticulously paint the original image in gouache. The Giclée print is reproduced from the original painting and is created on xpression textured 300gsm archival paper, ensuring that the quality and texture enhance the visual depth of the image. Each print is unique; I apply gold leaf by hand, adding a distinctive touch that reflects my artistic process. This handcrafted approach means that no two prints are ever exactly the same, making each piece a truly original work of art infused with my personal touch. I sign each print by hand and add the edition number. Ideal for bird lovers and art enthusiasts alike, this print brings a touch of nature's beauty into any space.