Mural work at Gloucester Services Petrol Station

I didn't show you what I was up to before coming back to Finland a couple of weeks ago. More mural work at Gloucester Services, this time across in the petrol station...

I worked with Westmorland and came up with the above design, a story about the company, the site and architecture of the building and surrounding area, and the stream of traffic from the M5 which will use the station. It took me a week to paint onto the till area of the build...

I've had real fun over in the services as I've been slowly bringing different areas some colour and life, mural work is my absolute new favourite pastime! It's so rewarding to see a large area transformed, and also feels the perfect paring as we share the same 'eat-well' and local, green values. You can read about some of the other projects I've painted at Gloucester services by clicking on the photos below...

The A-Z of Gloucestershire, cafe area at Gloucester Services

The Anatomy of an English Picnic, Deli area at Gloucester Services

Map of South-West Suppliers, Shop area at Gloucester Services

Do get in touch if you'd like me to paint something on a wall for you! 

Westmorland's Gloucester Services Illustration project

You would be excused for thinking our UK service stations rather uninspiring, transitional places only good for a quick loo stop, an OK coffee, some greasy non-descript something from a fast food joint to ease the boredom, or relief from the queuing in motorway stand-stills on the way to wherever you're trying to get to. Bear with me. 

If you follow me, you'll already know that I've recently been working with Westmorland on the new Gloucester Services project situated on the M5, which, if you've stopped at their Tebay services further north will know is quite the opposite from the scenario described above. More of a destination than an appropriate stop, the services are farm shop-inspired with isles filled with jars of homemade marinades, chutneys and jams, championing artists and designers from the area, a deli and butchers stocked with local produce and even locally grown bunches of flowers and fresh, hot food from the area served up in the canteen. Just my cup of tea. 

The illustration project has seen me design and paint by hand directly onto the walls of the shop, deli (and soon I'll be doing the butchers, take-away coffee and fuel station area too), creating a large illustrated, chalk board-style map of the south-west of Britain. The map will be covered in colourful vinyl stickers to show a key of the 130+ suppliers within 30 miles of the project, and a further 70 within 50 miles. You can see a few photos of the process below, before I get back in there and take some photos with the building up and running properly (the services open this Wednesday, excuse the boxes and building work happening around me!)

It's been a dream to work on something with values so close to my own, and so satisfying to see come together after working the design on a much smaller scale for some time. I'm a Gloucestershire girl through and through, so flying back from Finland to be involved with this was a real treat, and the perfect antidote to my on-going longing for the west country and all it's glory! You can also pick up my tea towels, aprons, cards and such which will be for sale in the services (along with a good bit of cheese, a local brew and a pie for dinner!) It doesn't come much better than this...

New tea towels & home love

Phew! I am doing my best to stay cool... had no idea the UK would be this blistering hot for the two weeks I've been home! Feeling pretty smug, the countryside is looking rather magnificent in the sunshine. Do I have to go back? (yes.) I will be sure to show you some of what I've been up to soon...

Before I do, I have a NEWLY illustrated tea towel to show you, available from this evening in my shop! Inspired by visits to the Farmers Market, my 'Buy local' tea towel is just the job for declaring your support for all things fresh and lovely! Here's your preview...

Screen printed in a smart charcoal colour onto crisp linen union and tied with twine, I am rather fond of this creation already, let me know what you think! Spotted the crafty mutt lusting over some sausages?

This is also my chance to give you a heads up for the studio SALE clear out I'm busy sorting through today, keep your eyes peeled for some handmade bargains from tomorrow!

S X