The Residency begins…!
 

It’s been a busy few weeks in my new role!

At the beginning of March, I was interviewed by Howard Caine at Manx Radio, marking the official start of my residency. Like most people, I’m not thrilled with the sound of my own voice, but it was really great experience and so exciting to finally get to reveal some of my arty plans for this year’s calendar!

March also the saw the launch of my “Painting in Your PJs” sessions which happen on the first Sunday of every month. Having chosen a subject, with the help of our Engagement Team and the public, I demonstrate the drawing and painting of a plant, animal or bird species from Manx nature. This is in real-time live on facebook, so that adults, children, anyone can join me and create their own mini masterpiece! We’ve had some fantastic pieces posted on social media using our hastag #ManxNatureArt. Our next session will be on Sunday 5^th June so make sure you get your PJs on and join me!

Another regular post is my “Tuesday Timelapse” where I select a topical species, event or subject, and film a time-lapse video of my creation. All my timelapses can be viewed on the Manx Wildlife Trust website (Link)

Exhibitions
 

It’s been a busy and varied month for exhibitions on the isle of man. The Easter exhibition at the Villa Arcade by the Isle of Man Arts Society took place over the Easter weekend and was a real treat for the eyes! Similarly, the open “Fly” exhibition at the Hodgson Loom Gallery in Laxey showcased a fabulous display of a huge variety of mediums with every conceivable interpretation of the brief. I was extremely lucky and over-the-moon to be awarded the overall prize with my entry, “The Physics of Flight”.

I was also delighted to attend two student exhibitions: the UCM Graduates Degree exhibition at the amazing Artreach Studio which showed the huge amount of new talent the Island has to look forward to. Lastly but by no means least, Rushen Primary School presented their William Milner exhibition celebrating the history surrounding the Milner Tower on Bradda Head. The standard of work and the creativity shown was inspiring. It was great to see some local public figures out in support – Bill Dale of Beachbuddies, Michelle Haywood MHK and Juan Watterson SHK.

Easter also saw the launch of our Easter Egg Decorating Competition in collaboration with the Bridge Book Shop and we were delighted by the skill and creativity demonstrated by the entrants. The winning designs were deservedly rewarded with some fantastic arty prizes!

Connections

In April I was fortunate enough to make two school visits: one to Rushen Primary School where I presented a workshop on painting creatures of the sea, and the second to Scoill yn Jubilee where we experimented with different brush techniques to explore their ‘Claws & Paws’ topic.

Another great experience this month included an excursion to the Calf of Man to assist with the installation of artificial Puffins! The model birds are accompanied by a Puffin call played over a speaker system in the hope that the sight and sound of the decoys will encourage passing Puffins to investigate further. With a bit of luck, we’ll see greater numbers of Puffins nesting on the Calf in the years to come.

Another highlight of my first few weeks was completing my Marine Mammal Medic course. Although this was under my other role as Marine Conservation Assistant, encouraged by Manx Wildlife Trust CEO, Leigh Morris, I managed to find a small window of opportunity to create a pebble dolphin on Ramsey beach just before the tide returned to reclaim my foraged materials!