Hunting on a Day off ...

I took this past Thursday, 17th June off to go seek and find more ellies.  There's always the question when you set out of where you're going, and what to see .... it really needs quite a plan of action. 

I decided to head to Greenwich for the hell of it - that was probably a mistake, as it took absolutely ages to get there.  Stupidly I thought I would get off the Jubilee Line at Canary Wharf and get straight onto the Docklands Light Railway - but there's quite a walk in between.  That was very fortunate in a way, as I found myself closer to the Docklands. 

There is a lot of work going on near the river, and a number of enormous cranes around.  The scale of the buildings are quite enormous. 

I had quite a walk through several wings of a shopping centre before I walked over a bridge and the river to find myself at West India quay.  They were celebrating the World Cup, with entertainment on for the kids.  There was even a David Beckham look-a-like, posing for the cameras.  This character was bouncing a giant ball for the kids. 

After about two hours of travelling, I finally arrive at my first ellie destination.  This is #84, Matilda.  Matilda was created by Craig Ritchie and Maribel Castro.  Artists' Inspiration: "We wanted to decorate our elephant with 1500 individual historical black and white photographs of London, which would ground the elephant within the city and its many histories. From a distance the elephant appears grey (resembling the skin colour of an elephant) but when the spectator approaches they can see that it is actually a collection of small images."

It was quite difficult to photograph Matilda as it was dark inside, but here is my attempt. 

                                           

You can kind of get the picture, ha ha!  but the images are much clearer with a close-up:

Onwards from here, back onto Docklands Light Railway, disembarking at Cutty Sark.  It really isn't much of a walk to find the Greenwich market.  Lots of very interesting stalls that it would have been lovely to browse around - second hand books, vintage clothing, jewellery and loads more.  I found it quite a challenge to get a good photo of this ellie, Piquant - it was late lunchtime, and the market was heaving with people. 

This elephant named Piquant #5, was created by Ittikorn Chaingam.  Very aptly named, seeing that it is covered in chilli peppers!  I love this following photo of the market - it is so atmospheric.  Just of lots of people, going about their business.

There was an elephant shop in the market - not nearly as posh as the concession in Selfridges, but it certainly didn't need to be!  It did the job.  Next stop - trying to find the Visitor's Centre, which I eventually did.  My goodness, if the market wasn't posh, this building certainly is!  There were two elephants in the grounds and lots of visitors to the centre. 

This elephant is #128, Cotee - created by Joanna Martin.  Artist's Inspiration: "Cotee (Colours Of The Earth Elephant). Celebrating the colours of the earth". 

This shows the setting for this ellie very nicely.  And with this next ellie picture, it shows more of the Visitor's Centre behind - so grand, don't you think viewers?  (:lol:  that always reminds me of Paul Hogan). 

This elephant, #52, is called Clair le Lune, created by Adam Durrance.  Artist's Inspiration: "The Moon, Gravity." Every elephant needs a beautiful model, don't you think?  This family were American, and didn't mind me taking a photo of their lovely little girl.  The parents called their two kids "gremlins" - and we make a joke - they turn nasty when wet! 

I took a lunchbreak to rest my feet and ate at the bistro inside before proceeding back to London.  Afternoon ellies to come ......

Tropical Cards ...

Hello viewers - I thought I'd give you a temporary break from animal matters, and thought we would try a flavour of papercrafting instead.  Some few weeks back, one of my colleagues from work left to take up a different position.  She was one of two card customers that I have at work, so I thought I would give her a small leaving gift that she could actually use. 

My friend donated some odds and ends of card blanks and envelopes.  She gave me six reddy pink envelopes of an odd size.  I got to and matched it as closely as I could to my Bazzill stash.  I ended up getting six card blanks from two bits of Bazzill, so that's really quite good, I think. 

The patterned paper is by Rhonna Farrer and has been sitting in my scraps bag for some time. I have had some of these dried flower gel stickers sitting in my stash ever since I began crafting, over six years ago!  These cards are all very simple, but effective.  Well, that was my aim! 

I have had loads of these K & Co tags sitting around also for years, trying to get used.  And then someone gave me loads of die cut squares and other shapes and after these few years, I've figured out a way of using them so they don't look too bad.  Nice font message stamps are a definite weakness of mine!                                                 

I am not adverse to using other people's scraps, especially when otherwise they would be thrown away! I taught a birthday book class last year, and one lady left all her scraps from this stack.  Far too pretty to be put in the bin! 

Much of a muchness, really but I think these cards all do stand on their own merit.  With paper as pretty as this, you don't need much else, but in the card below, I thought the alcohol ink matt goes really nicely for some colour contrast. 

                                              

This next one is probably my favourite - that paper is just gorg-e-ous .....

My friend seemed to like these little cards, so that was a good job.  Two posts in one day, but more ellies tomorrow, like it or not! 

South Molton nelephantitus

Last Monday evening, after a day full of meetings, I staggered home via Bond Street tube, to specifically snap the South Molton Street elephants.  So only four elephants shot, but better than nothing!

Oli #119 was created by Issa.  Artist's Inspiration: "After hearing how these elephants are becoming extinct I wanted to create a design that was symbolic of both the increasing dangers the elephants are facing but which also represented Issa. The design is a collage of Issa prints, old and new, with road signs which act as protection from the villagers who are harming them."

I love individual shops that aren't part of chains.  These shops were really quirky and interesting. 

The lovely bright ellie up top is #132, Young at Art, was created by John D Wilson.  Artist's Inspiration: "Using my own "trademark" painting style (mixing children's art with established art)."

This elephant named Dead End, 142 was created by Kriti Arora.  Artist's Inspiration: "Mans reckless and inconsiderate destruction of natural habitat in the name of so-called development". 

The last elephant on South Molton Street is #199, Impossiphant.  This beautiful elephant named Impossiphant was created by Peter Smith.  Artist's Inspiration: "I wanted to create an expression of the important things in my life; love, hope and happiness. If people smile when they see my brightly coloured Impossimals combined with such a worthy cause then my contentment is complete."

So cute!  I think I had my camera on the wrong setting - these photos are still so blue, even though I've mucked around with the levels and the hues.  Hey ho!  Price of being an amateur.  More tomorrow!

Retail Elephaphy....

Hard to think of good post titles, I find! 

Continuing on with last Sunday's trek, where I walked from Paddington to Bayswater, and onto Holland Park.  I then gave my poor feet a rest by hopping on the tube to Marble Arch and thence onto Oxford Street.

Here's #162, Gajaraj - who was created by HH Maharaja Ranjitsinh Gaekwad of Baroda.  Artist's Inspiration: "The trees depict the dead environment. The floating kites & birds show the topsy turvy life, due the ecological imbalance. The silver dots represent clean air, and the yellow balls are just decorative shapes that highlight the leafless trees." Oh - that's so sad!  His official location was Old Quebec Street. 

Here's an excerpt from an article from the WWF website:

Why The Elephant Parade matters

It was estimated in 2003 that there are only between 41,000 and 52,000 elephants roaming wild in the tropical forests of Asia. Accurate elephant figures are notoriously hard to gauge, because of the dense vegetation, difficult terrain and the fact that herds often move over large distances. But it’s clear the overall trend is still downwards.

One of the biggest threats to the elephants is conflict with people. This has increased mostly through loss of habitat – because of logging, agriculture, industry and human settlement. Elephants try to follow their traditional migration corridors, or to find food, but they might encounter roads, fields and villages in the way. This can lead to conflict with local people, which could be fatal for both sides.

Funds raised by Elephant Parade will go towards working with local people and governments to help secure more land that can be used as corridors by the elephants.

From thence into Selfridges.  This is a massive place. 

Sadly, I missed a couple of elephants in here.  Firstly, because of the size of the building, and secondly - lack of energy.  Still, looking at it positively, I think I saw the two most impressive ones. 

Here's the fab-u-lous! darlings, #216, Emerald Queen. 

That's some spectacular headpiece she is wearing.  This beautiful elephant was created by Sabine Roemer.  This special elephant features a 678 carat ethical Zambian emerald from Gemfields which carries a reserve price of £90,000.

Artist's Inspiration: "I was fascinated and inspired by the Indian tradition to embellish their propitious elephants. The 678.07ct emerald of the big jewellery headpiece is because of their god Ganesh’s stone is also an emerald". Just wow. 

I had to take several photos of her, and can't resist loading them - after all, her Majesty should be admired in her full glory. 

There were people everywhere and it was madness.  I was standing there for ages - in the end, this photo below has had several body parts cropped out - :lol: 

From chi chi sophistication to plain dead va va voom!  No missing this girl in a nightclub, with all the reflective bling catching all the attention. 

Shame about the chair in the foreground, but it couldn't be helped, I guess.  When it comes to being scrapbooked, I shall have to cover with a strategic embellishment!  :lol: This beautiful elephant named Heaven's Haathi, #50 was created by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla.  Artist's Inspiration: "India is the heart of South East Asia and the elephant is her jewel. The Majesty of this Divine Symbol is evoked not through paint alone but also embedded in its very core through the use of exquisite heritage embroideries."

Here's some pics of the Elephant Parade shop at Selfridges, with lots of action going on! 

Those are the natural coloured elephants.  Now they get really bright and funky!

Fancy one on your mantelpiece?  I would, but don't have a mantel.  How on earth would you choose?  It's like going to Battersea Dogs Home, and leaving a puppy behind.  How could you?  :lol:

I then proceeded down Oxford Street, into Bond Street tube domain.  You enter St Christopher place through a tiny entrance from Oxford Street, that you would never know was there.  Once in, like these other secret squares in London, you open up to loads of posh shops, and upmarket eateries. 

Elephant Chic, #67, was very suitably adorned for the surrounding. 

                                              

This houndstooth check was created by Benjamin Shine.  Artist's Inspiration: "Elephant Chic presents a fashion statement in the form of a bold check print. The idea focuses on 'the herd' in highlighting the ideals of conservation."

I love the sculptures and the artwork found in these settings.  Funny how each piece seems to fit perfectly with the atmosphere.  Here's the piece at St Christopher Place:

I love this next elephant - #181 - "Kubella the Seaside Elephant", created by Natalie Guy.  Artist's Inspiration: "I live by the sea and my surroundings inspired the design from the reflection of the wash, to the lighter blues, moving towards to ink blue of the sea and of course, the ditty 'Oh I do like to be beside the seaside'! Mosaic is a wonderful medium to work with."

What a shame she wasn't sitting by the river or the sea!  Hum di ho ... but I do like to be beside the seaside ....

West Side Story ...

I walked from Bayswater to Notting Hill Gate to continue my elephant trek last Sunday.  You never quite know where you are until you suddenly spot an elephant at the side.  At least then I knew I was on the right track!

This elephant is #41, Travels on my Elephant.  It looks quite innocuous from here, but some of the wording on this elephant is a bit racy.  The word "prostitution" appears on it several times, not to say that I counted the exact number!

This elephant named Naveen, # 178 was created by John Stefanidis.  Artist's Inspiration: "The vibrant colours, fabulous architecture and incomparable fabrics of India fuelled my imagination to create an elephant which would stand out and draw attention to the plight of the Asian elephant."

Next, on to #51, Oran (You Stole my Heart), who was created by Adam Bridgland.  Artist's Inspiration: "The birth of my son Oran was the inspiration for my elephant design. The four magpies painted on one side of my elephant are a reference to the line in the old english magpie rhyme, 'four for a boy'."

Turn around, and this is the other side:

One of the things about being on foot and on your own is that it is quite frustrating when you miss an ellie.  There were elephants at Notting Hill, and I missed the one called Daisies!  I am sure she was being a bit shy and hiding around a corner, but that would have been the advantage of being with someone.  Sometimes I just didn't have the energy to be persistent and walk back on myself to find that one particular elephant that I'd missed. 

Onwards towards Holland Park and the day was getting darker and drearier until I spied this magnificently coloured creature - #215, Rainforest.  Created by Ruth Green, her Inspiration: "To save the magnificent beauty of the rain forests and the endangered animals of the world". 

It is quite difficult to get shots of some of these elephants in their settings - especially on such a busy street as this is, with cars whizzing by!  I've had to crop this next pic quite severely - but better that than a huge red pillar box being very distracting in the foreground, I think.  Here's #65 - Burma. 

Burma was created by Baccara Smart and was originally wearing the anklet below - probably wise to remove, as she is sitting out in the street!   Artist's Inspiration: "Graffiti being the metropolis soul, camouflage being the environmental graffiti, led to the catalyst for 'Burma'."

                                     

Later on, onto Oxford Street.  I think I will save that for tomorrow.....

They start taking the elephants off the streets tomorrow and today is the last day to see them in situ.  The body is willing, but the flesh is weak .... my knees have seized up, and begging for mercy.  I might have to instead save seeing the rest of the elephants until they are all gathered for a communal visit to the Royal Chelsea Hospital next week ....

Weekend Workout

Last Sunday, I took the opportunity to travel to London to go on walkabout looking for elis.  I don't often go into London on weekends and had forgotten what a nightmare public transport usually is.  Half the tube lines were down as they are doing extensive maintenance and preparing for the Olympics, I suppose. 

After a lot of faffing about, I was finally successful at getting a train into Marylebone.  From there, a quick trip round on the tube to Paddington, where I knew this eli had been moved - #87 - Happy End of Nature.  It was originally supposed to be at Terminal 5 at Heathrow, but I think they thought all of the photography was a security risk! 

These decorative, highly coloured elephants are my favourites, I think.  "The Happy End of Nature" was created by Deniz Balabaner.  Artist's Inspiration: "What has inspired me was the 600 year old Iznic Ceramics art, in the way they have used the seven main colours." Iznik pottery, named after the Turkish town in western Anatolia where it was made, is highly decorated ceramics whose heyday was the late sixteenth century. The largest collection of vessels is in the British Museum and Iznik tiles may be seen in quantity in the imperial and religious buildings of Istanbul.

I then walked from Paddington to Bayswater and called in at the Hempel hotel (so posh it only has "H" engraved on the windows! :lol:) to see the three ellies grazing there. 

This beautiful elephant #111 is named MOTHER NATURE and was created by Hannes D'Haese.  Artist's Inspiration: "The recent birth of elephants in captivity. Although it is positive and touching it also makes me realise that in the wild the elephants are disappearing at an alarming rate and that the road to recovery is fragile."

This elephant was sponsored by The Hempel.

Very bright, beautiful and painterly! 

No prizes for guessing what this next elephant is called!  What luscious, mouthwatering colours.  From Mother Nature to Strawberry, an automatic Japanese screen slides across to access main reception.  I was a bit intimidated walking in through the front door, but the receptionist was very friendly and welcoming.  Strawberry, #4, was created by Thanom Kongchan.

Beautiful, pared down minimalism - all very stylish!  And then outside, luxuriating in a private garden, is the last elephant located at the Hempel. 

This elephant named Chestnut, #36 was created by Thammakit Thamboon.

Loads more of West London to come, but for now, all good elephant hunters must go to bed.  It's been a busy day. 

Financeli Speaking ...

#173 - Paul Smith Elephant in his signature striped design - Artist - Paul Smith.

#68 Taxi Elephant.  This beautiful glossy sophisticated elephant was created by Benjamin Shine.  Artist's Inspiration: "Taxi Elephant aims to celebrate Elephant Parade in London through the idea of the elephant blending into the city's familiar scenery - taking on the appearance of the iconic London black cab."

Elephants at Bank tube - Cosmos, and #74 Elephant Race (Against Time).  Elephant Race (Against Time) was created by Caio Locke.  Artist's Inspiration: "The relationship between nature and civilisation is a constant theme in my work. In this campaign, I focus on the extent to which human activity impacts upon the survival of the Asian elephant. My cars are inspired by Cuba."

 
#106 Cosmos, created by Ewelina Kawarska.  Artist's Inspiration: "My inspiration was the 'Domain Names for a Domain' campaign by web hosting company Easyspace to help save the Asian elephant. I wanted 'Cosmos' to highlight both the global nature of modern communication and the scale of the elephant's plight."

Here's #80 - Ritual.  This beautiful elephant was created by Cian Mcloughlin.  Artist's Inspiration: "Elephants are known to bury their dead, mourn them and stand vigil over their graves. Echoing our own human rituals, it is this profound level of social development and advanced capacity for high functioning emotions that inspired my design."

This beautiful elephant, #201 named The Elephant Outside the Room was created by Pochoir.  Artist's Inspiration: "To take the elephant outside the room and see what happens when a white elephant is left unattended on the South Bank."

St Paul's statue is beautiful and shimmers in the sun. 

Some interesting facts and figures:

Additional Information:-

• Each elephant sculpture is made from fibreglass, with a sturdy steel structure within the legs, and weighs approximately 70kg.
• Standing elephant dimensions (without plinth): 148 cm (H) x 165 cm (L) x 75 cm (W)
• Sitting elephant dimensions (without plinth): 145 cm (H) x 180 cm (L) x 120 cm (W)

At Elephant Family's discretion, sponsors can buy their elephant at the current average selling price of £7,000 (based on previous Elephant Parade auctions). This process will remove the elephant from the online and live auctions.