It’s been really great to have a few weeks getting stuck in making work, documenting and all the admin on the website.

I had this idea about bats a while back, not scary freaky bats (though may have to try that too), but cute, tiny little bats that could sit in the palm of my hand. These bats, I figured, could hang from a tree. Originally I was thinking of a tall tree with the bats hanging down so people could look up at them, but I need to think about how to create this, I’ll need steel for strength and need it able to be pulled apart for transport.

I thought instead of a smaller version that could sit on a plinth, using a rock for weight. Well, I loved how elegant this tree turned out, as a ‘bat tree’ the base is a little light and too many bats hanging make it a little unstable, but I may wind a lizard or even a Taniwha around it’s trunk instead. This is the great thing about making stuff, ideas that don’t quite work can generate other ideas.

The tree, love the elegant shape-not the best for bats though!

So, I’ve made the bats, currently waiting in a little batty bundle for their new improved tree while I veer off in another direction playing with this tree. Why… who knows, I know by now not to question the creativity gods, just roll with it.

I also spent quite a bit of time adding works to the website, and a new shop page called Little Critters as I thought it was about time I added the crazy critters to the site. I still find it a bit hard when I haven’t worked on the site for a while as I find I have to re-learn everything

Brains are mysterious, why can’t I remember something I do every month or so but I know that bumblebees were introduced to NZ because the native bees didn’t have long enough tongues to reach inside the red clover?

This is the only time I have ever used this piece of information.

Autumn and Winter are the best times to get stuck into the artwork, and I find the low light here really inspiring especially when you’ve had a dull day and Nature throws a few bands of gorgeous golden light around just before the sun disappears.

Going Batty

2026 Christchurch Art Show