Commissions & clients
I feel very honoured to have won several national and international awards including the Adobe Illustration Award, the Transworld Bookart prize and the Red Eye Capture Manchester prize. I feel proud that my work has considered good enough to have been published and commissioned by leading publishers and renowned clients including Penguin Books, the Decca Record Company, Amnesty International, Transworld, Hodder, Harper Collins, Bridgewater, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust WWT as illustrations, book covers, CD covers and bespoke scarf designs.
I have written for art magazines and books and hired as a consultant for the BBC Arts project.
My illustrations have been published extensively in the UK ranking me as the 3rd most published UK illustrator of the last decade, topped only by Roger Hargreaves of the Mr Men books and illustrator Mary GrandPré of the Harry Potter series by JR Rowling.
I have fulfilled commissions for large interactive illuminated installations for Light Up Lancaster and the Arts Council, created interactive murals for music festivals, events companies and wedding venues across the country.
I have written for art magazines and books and hired as a consultant for the BBC Arts project.
My illustrations have been published extensively in the UK ranking me as the 3rd most published UK illustrator of the last decade, topped only by Roger Hargreaves of the Mr Men books and illustrator Mary GrandPré of the Harry Potter series by JR Rowling.
I have fulfilled commissions for large interactive illuminated installations for Light Up Lancaster and the Arts Council, created interactive murals for music festivals, events companies and wedding venues across the country.
Bonnie Wilderness
I spent much of my life growing up near Grange over Sands in the Cumbrian Lake District and after travelling around here, there and back again, I moved up the hill to my home in Lancaster, Lancashire.
As a child Ray Harryhausen's films introduced me to Greek mythology, imagery used withing astrology and mythical beasts.
My practice is influenced by vintage botanical drawings, the ornithological illustrations of John James Audubon, the detailed renderings of Ernst Haeckel and by the decorative designs of Alphonse Mucha and William Morris. I draw inspiration from the natural world. Contemporary influences include Dave Mckean and Lauren Marx.
The designs begin with a combination of pen and ink line drawings coloured with water colour washes. With the meticulously use of a drawing tablet, fine brush details are added. Each design is completed by digitally combining the hand rendered elements with layered fragments of digital photography and collage.
My collection is designed, printed and made in the UK with local artisans and skilled makers.
I seek out natural fibres for all my fabric products, which are predominantly made from premium cotton lawn.
What inspires each piece you do?
Mother nature's offers the imagery to me though an actual experience with the wildlife. Whenever this happens, goose bumps travel up the back of my head as time stops in a moment of clarity.
Very recently, late at night on a quiet country road a White Stag walked out of the darkness to meet me. Another incredible experience I have film of. He shall appear in an artwork later this year.
How long does each work of art take you to create?
There are weeks involved in researching, following, watching observing the natural muse. Then more weeks trialling compositions before the final piece begins. Fortunately all involving spending more time with nature.
There are then many stages that an artwork goes through before completion. Hand drawn and digitally crafted elements are pulled together, deconstructed and then reassembled many times. Typically one of the large scarf designs takes me 2 months to complete.
Do you have a favourite piece?
My newest piece is my current favourite, a Bumble Bee. The bee is part of a much larger summer themed artwork I'm creating. However Bumble has already taken on a life of its own as a print loved by my followers. I'm developing Bumble into a T shirt design aimed at self healing and encouraging the sharing of troubling thoughts.
I tried my Bumble Bee artwork on a coaster, I displayed the coaster on social media on a Friday morning and astonishingly sold over 200 over that weekend. It would seem my Bee artwork isn't just my favourite.
The inspiration for this artwork again was a gift from Mother Nature. I found a Bumble bee crawling on the floor of Lancaster's MarketGate shopping centre, unable to fly. I took him home for some sugar water, as he thirstily drank the solution I was able to study him really closely.
Tell us about the most exciting time in your career?
Everything is moving so fast at the moment that I hardly have time to catch my breath.
All of my career as a freelance artist is exciting and constantly changing.
Five years ago I wouldn't have guessed I would become a fashion designer sending my bird winged shawls and scarves all over the world. They are now stocked across the UK and as far as New Zealand and the Cayman Islands.
Two years ago I would not have imagined I would be creating huge interactive illuminated artworks with hundreds of people queuing to be involved.
A year ago I wouldn't have imagined I would have been commissioned to create artwork for the Sir Peter Scott collection with scarves and a whole range of products stocked in all the Wildfowl and Wetlands Centres.
Please tell us more about the commission
At the beginning of 2020 I was delighted to be invited to collaborate with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT). Their mission complimented my own environmental values, to conserve wildlife by inspiring others to take care of nature.
During winter visits to the Slimbridge reserve I spent hours studying and learning about my latest muse, the Bewick's Swan.
Goose bumps whispered down my arms as I stood sketching in the same spot as the 'Patron Saint of Conservation'. Gazing through his famous large window, I was astonished and honoured to have found myself following in the brushstrokes of artist, pioneering wildlife conservationist, inventor, Olympic sportsman and Naval war hero, Sir Peter Scott.
Starlings rushed overhead, ducks and geese bathed while swans rejoiced in each other's company. One bonded pair of Bewick's by the name of Romeo and Juliet instantly stood out. From Scott's window I witnessed love, devotion and community.
On a clear crisp evening I returned to the Slimbridge reserve during their floodlight swan experience. The birds shimmered in the light, their white plumage set brightly against the dark blue of the water and night sky. The stars twinkled above and for a moment it began to snow just a little. A pair of Bewick's swans glided into view, one raised his body above the water, spread his wings and called out.
The final artwork had just appeared right in front of me, a breathtaking, visual gift from nature
Mother nature is truly amazing, the more study, the more in awe I am.
I rejoice and truly feel a buzz that my artistic creations and the natural world have a symbiotic relationship - she inspires me and the artwork now aids conservation.
The WWT coined me as their stand out seller of 2020 and have asked just commissioned me to create another bespoke design for 2021 which I have just completed.
What plans do you have for the future?
I have just expanded my range to include clothing, home ware such as cushions, lampshades and fabric. All these are made locally in Lancaster.
I believe that my business should in even a small way aim to build upon and add to the local business community. I endeavoured to work with people firstly from Lancaster and then UK.
I'm working with local dressmakers on an absolutely gorgeous kimono style gown inspired by the plumage of British birds. These are a stunning garment that can be worn as a fashion accessory or as lounge / sleep wear.
I'd love to Illustrate an entire story book... if I had the time. I'm at the point where I'm thinking I need premises and another pair of hands to help run the business while I focus on the artwork.
My father died of lung cancer which was a part of the catalyst for me to change my world around to what I do now. My family and many close friends have been heavily affected by cancer I therefore aim to partner with a cancer care charity.
It would be absolutely amazingly awesome to collaborate with the Morecambe Bay Eden project.
The beginning
Creating things for you that communicate a feeling, capture a moment or rejuvenate
a memory is an intrinsic part of the wonderland I strive to share with you.
I spent much of my life growing up in Kents Bank on Morecambe Bay near the Lake District.
I now live on the other side of the bay in Lancaster, Lancashire.
I feel incredibly lucky that my home has a massive bay window that looks out over the city. Situated high up by Williamsons Park my window gives me a stunning panoramic view that includes Lancaster castle, the cathedral, canals, the river Lune and the sea and sands of Morecambe Bay. In the evening (unless this has been cancelled by the clouds) my window provides a breath taking display of colour as the sun sets on the sea. At night, on occasion, the moon bathes my home with silver light as I watch the bats swoop dangerously close to the glass. Far in the distance I can make out the fields and woods where I played as a child. I can see the tower on Kirkhead where I used to sit and ponder, looking out across Morecambe Bay to where I live now. On a very clear day I can just about see the house in which I grew up where my mum still lives. As I fell down the rabbit hole over the last 18 months, during times of inner turmoil this view has offered me solace and comfort . Now as I arrive in wonderland it induces moments of clarity, inspires me and provides materials with which to create....
a memory is an intrinsic part of the wonderland I strive to share with you.
I spent much of my life growing up in Kents Bank on Morecambe Bay near the Lake District.
I now live on the other side of the bay in Lancaster, Lancashire.
I feel incredibly lucky that my home has a massive bay window that looks out over the city. Situated high up by Williamsons Park my window gives me a stunning panoramic view that includes Lancaster castle, the cathedral, canals, the river Lune and the sea and sands of Morecambe Bay. In the evening (unless this has been cancelled by the clouds) my window provides a breath taking display of colour as the sun sets on the sea. At night, on occasion, the moon bathes my home with silver light as I watch the bats swoop dangerously close to the glass. Far in the distance I can make out the fields and woods where I played as a child. I can see the tower on Kirkhead where I used to sit and ponder, looking out across Morecambe Bay to where I live now. On a very clear day I can just about see the house in which I grew up where my mum still lives. As I fell down the rabbit hole over the last 18 months, during times of inner turmoil this view has offered me solace and comfort . Now as I arrive in wonderland it induces moments of clarity, inspires me and provides materials with which to create....
I collect found objects, reclaim artefacts, buy interesting components and search the beach for driftwood and treasure. Many of these 'finds' are discovered in places contained within the view my window presents. Myriad objects are dotted around my home waiting to be used within my artworks and jewellery. I use recycled and recyclable materials and seek out fair trade components where possible. Many of the larger jewellery pieces are unique as each is always at least a little different to the next.
Those choices I made all those months ago and the things that happened that were out of my control lead me to this point. I feel massively lucky that I can work from home creating things that resonate with you. My heart and creative soul have been healed and all of you have helped. I wouldn't be in Wonderland without your appreciation of the things I create and I don't mean just from your purchases. I often attend art markets with my creations, I find it touching and deeply moving when you come and share your stories and memories, evoked by my artwork. These moments I share with you clarify that my work talks in a universal language that I believe comes from the soul of the world or a collective consciousness.
Those choices I made all those months ago and the things that happened that were out of my control lead me to this point. I feel massively lucky that I can work from home creating things that resonate with you. My heart and creative soul have been healed and all of you have helped. I wouldn't be in Wonderland without your appreciation of the things I create and I don't mean just from your purchases. I often attend art markets with my creations, I find it touching and deeply moving when you come and share your stories and memories, evoked by my artwork. These moments I share with you clarify that my work talks in a universal language that I believe comes from the soul of the world or a collective consciousness.
“Making a decision was only the beginning of things. When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision.”
Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist (I really love this book...read it and follow your dreams!!)
Many of my artworks incorporate traditional media such as painting, drawing, sculpture and digital photography combined using digital media. My jewellery contains fragments of these artworks and carefully selected components and 'finds'.
Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist (I really love this book...read it and follow your dreams!!)
Many of my artworks incorporate traditional media such as painting, drawing, sculpture and digital photography combined using digital media. My jewellery contains fragments of these artworks and carefully selected components and 'finds'.
I would like to take you by the hand and lead you into my wonderland... come into my world and share what I see...
Radio Interview with Sandy Gardner Artist
"The Art of Flying - the beginning"
"The Art of Flying - the beginning"
