“To see a world in a grain of sand
and heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
and eternity in an hour.”
– William Blake
This collection is of hand illustrated species, from specific Sites of Scientific Interest in the summer.
While drawing Jenny imagined it as a competition between different wildlife conservation sites, all claiming to best represent British natural heritage and be most suited to a British interpretation of the popular Cottagecore aesthetic.
Lothian Lanes – this pattern includes species of animals and plants which can be found around the John Muir Country Park area, near where Jenny lives.
Isle of May – Jenny’s favourite bird to draw is the Atlantic Puffin, and this pattern was inspired by photos her partner took of puffins on the nearby Isle of May, surrounded by the pretty, white Sea Campion flowers.
The Cairngorms – this pattern represents the Scottish highlands with iconic species and a more broody colour palette. The plant framing is inspired by the folk song lyrics “to pull wild mountain thyme all around the blooming heather“.
Loch Lomond - this Rowan tree based illustration is of species you can find on the “bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond” (pine marten, osprey, red squirrel, Capercaillie grouse, frog).
Broad Haven – this seaside species focused pattern represents the Pembrokeshire Coast in the collection, but deliberately also overlaps with many species found on the East Lothian coasts as these are very similar habitats (such as puffins, gannets and sea holly).
Bilberry Thief Blue – the culprit in question is a Peak District based Ring Ouzel (an area where Jenny’s relatives live), a different type of thrush from the ones shown in William Morris’ Strawberry Thief. These ones like to live near bilberry bushes, as it’s one of their favourite foods. Unfortunately the Ring Ouzel has been on the UK conservation Red List since 2002, but Jenny has no idea if this is related to being picky about berry choices.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
Brecon Beacons - this design was inspired by childhood holidays in the lush green, Welsh countryside.
There are further patterns in this collection.
“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore…”
– Lord Byron
The sea is important in Scottish folklore and this collection explores different coastal mythical creatures.“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”
– W.B. Yeats
Kelpies: the shifting form of a Kelpie can be hard to recognise. In this collection they appear in the waves of a storm and also as almost horses.
Wide Waves Selkies: these seal-like shapeshifters sometimes shed their seal skins and become enchanting human spouses. Their homesickness gives them a tendency to abandon their human families though and some humans keep them on land against their will by hiding their seal skin.
“And the spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the spirit of love felt everywhere.”
– Percy Bysshe Shelley
This pattern best represents Jenny herself, as it combines a playful mix of local puffins and gannets with tropical plants. Surprisingly, the plants in the pattern do all grow in Jenny’s garden in the spring though, she has a hardy tropical garden in Dunbar. The style of the pattern is influenced by Jenny’s love of maximalism and Arts and Crafts Movement wallpapers and is a bright reminder that Spring will appear every year.
“Everything in moderation, including moderation.” – Oscar Wilde
Ceasg Mermaid – There’s several variations of Scottish mermaid folktales. A Ceasg is more like a Disney mermaid, their bottom half is a grilse or young salmon. Instead of luring you to your death they might offer you three wishes, without it even being a be-careful-what-you-wish-for trick. They can marry a human and their descendants make great sailors. Since a Ceasg can become immortal by placing their soul in a shell, they are able to guard over their descendants for many generations.
