Finding inspiration in unlikely places: cemeteries and street corners

♥️Amour 🕊️ Paix 🦚Espoir

Did you know peacocks symbolise hope? I didn’t; I am taking Mary Watt’s (think: artist, social reformer, Liberty scarves) word for it.

I lived in Morocco for three years and I thought they were just extremely beautiful (and a bit noisy). This past weekend I took my family to visit the Watts Gallery and Chapel. I have visited many extraordinary museums, but the Compton Cemetery Chapel, created by Mary Watts between 1894 and 1904, took my breath away.

It is a perfect example of an Arts and Crafts masterpiece and significance, one that was built by local villagers and her team of crafts-people. I love her spirit of collaboration and community. I created this piece based upon a little peacock I spied in a frieze. It is a symbol of hope, one that reminded me of a piece of graffiti I saw in Paris nearly a decade ago.

I have decided to hand paint this design - Amour, Paix, Espoir - on a white dress this week to auction, so I thought I’d work through some designs and colour ways.

What do you think?

Shall I use this design for my Heritage Collection?