Tales from the Deep

ICY LAND

17/10/2022

Imagine yourself in this ship on the icy sea.
You look out from it and see a scene before you.
Capture what you can see in your lantern jar...

Sailing south of The Antarctic Circle on his 2nd Voyage, in an attempt to find a great southern landmass and north to the Arctic (3rd Voyage) on a quest for the North-West Passage, Captain Cook was met by formidable scarps of ice. Native creatures and birds would have been used to these super cold climates and would have been doing just fine thank you very much.

"SUPER COOL"

Gully Gosh!

9/8/2022

I might not be quite my full self, doing a mis-named workshop in an imaginary place named Whiby,
but seriously, where are you gonna be on the 24th?
Is it me or the horses?

Are you local? Join in this make and take home a flying wooden seagull workshop for FREE
(just bring along a copy of your Council Tax bill and flash it at Reception!)

Cooked Up Mini Films

22/6/2022

Filmed this 'Travelling Plants' crafty mini film for The Captain Cook Memorial Museum, a year ago today. One of three lockdown projects, for would be workshoppers to keep their hand in at home, whilst The Endeavour Room was temporarily shut.

Also 'Coral Calamity'...

and 'Stitched Up Kangaroos'...

Stand Up and be 'Counted'

27/5/2022

Broke The Guiness World Record last night for the 'Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Vampires' at Whitby Abbey. 1369 people made the final count. 125 years since Bram Stoker penned and published his gothic, epistolery novel, Dracula.
Any excuse for a bit of dressing up!

Made the National Press, Telly News and everything! Such Brits. See how patiently we queued in this vid...

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8b5hip

One Has Been Invited

10/5/2022

"Come along and help us celebrate Her Majesty's 70 years on the throne with this free invitation to try out pottery flag and crown jewel decoration making, here at the newly established Whitby Kiln on Skinner Street. A taster, on this special occasion, of the full painting process we offer, with complimentary tea, coffee and (crustless) cucumber sandwiches, whilst making your personalised Jubilee souvenirs, which we'll glaze and then fire in the kiln for you.
Our studio is accessible in every sense; Street level, mobility friendly, completely modernised spacious setting with clean even lighting, ergonomic Dutch seating, relaxing music and a range of over 340 items to choose from and paint up as gifts for either yourself or loved ones. We do everything we can to ensure you have a truly enjoyable experience and your pottery is finished to a very high standard before it's carefully returned to you. Whether this is a repeat visit, or you are new to The Whitby Kiln, from near or far, we warmly welcome you with this right royal gesture."

Martina, Matt & Staff
(WHITBY KILN)

Feline Seaworthy

12/4/2022

This workshop went down a storm, which is what sailors hoped wouldn't happen if they had a trusty cat on board.
Lucky seafaring mascots of old, these adaptable, canny creatures would make it their business to hunt down rats, saving ropes, wood, sailors food supplies and cargo from getting thoroughly gnawed.
A reminder from domestic life ashore, cats would be respected company for the crew. With acute senses, cats would act edgy in low weather pressure and sailors who perceived a change in the cat's behaviour would know there was a storm a brewin'.
We paid homage to them here by (Posca Pen) painting their bright, furry faces on rocks and giving them googly, 'glow in the dark' eyes!
Just some of the many makers and takers for today's fun event in
'The Endeavour Room'...

Sentimental Barge

30/3/2022

Interesting Whitby Jet and Sterling Silver Necklace Commission from Krish for his girlfriend Paige's birthday, of their houseboat barge, back in November. Carefully chosen piece of Whitby Jet, just of the right thickness to incorporate the natural surface detail of when the Jet formed 180 million years ago, no less.

A Note From The Past...

The boy in this photo (below) Christopher James Philpot, grew up to be the most amazing hobbyist Jet Worker and also the Father of my old Shepherd friend Robin (now 80). Chris carved and turned whale tooth ivory and Whitby Jet on an ornamental Holtzapfel lathe and made some really beautiful pieces, like this little box, penguin and owl below, just because he could. The raw piece of Jet chosen for Paige's pendant was part of Robin's Dad's collection. I think I've done it justice. Paige was over the moon.

Stages In The Making...

What You Got COOKin'?

18/4/2019

This season's creative 'make & take home' workshops, tailored for children
and their families to compliment The Captain Cook Memorial Museum's
'Botanical Endeavours! Joseph Banks and Cook's First Voyage' 2019 Exhibition

Tues 23rd April 11am - 4pm
'Flower Press Gang!'
Join the flower press gang. Build a wooden press and capture native flora
to take home ready for a future reveal.

Weds 31st July 11am - 4pm
'Kaleidoscope Magic'
Make your own mirrored viewing tunnel and observe a new rainbow world
of ever changing petal and seed patterns.

Weds 14th August 11am - 4pm
'Flower Press Gang!'
Another chance to join the flower press gang. Build a wooden press
and capture native flora to take home ready for a future reveal.

Weds 30th October 11am - 4pm
'Botanical Lanterns'
Layer die cut colourful papers and free form silhouette shapes to create
your own special illuminated glass jar landscape of exotic flowers and plants.

Switched On

26/10/2017

A Stitch In Time

11/4/2017

www.cookmuseumwhitby.co.uk/whats-on/events-and-activities
www.facebook.com/events

Coast Launch

4/3/2017

Rachael's new look chalkboards up at the tip top Coast Cafe, Hawsker.
With Matt and Elaine at the helm, for their first season at this fully licenced, day and
night-time eatery, holiday makers and local peoples can be assured of a warm welcome.
Tastefully modern, seaside inspired setting and delicious home made food in abundance.
https://en-gb.facebook.com/CoastCafeBar/
http://www.coast-cafebar.com/index.html
01947 881044

More Customised Tree Tops and Oddities for Sale!

3/12/2016

Children's Craft Workshop 'Do You Want To Build A Snowman? Or Christmas Tree Fairy?' Accessorise and dress your very own fairy or snowman to adorn the the top of your Christmas tree at home. Easy construction for accompanied children age 2-11. £2.50 each.

As a freelance designer maker of art works a little bit out of the ordinary, Rachael is renowned locally for her mermaids and illustrated chalkboards. She trained as a props maker and scene painter for theatre before settling in Whitby 12 years ago and on 4th December at Whitby's first WINTERFEST, brings to her 'Glittermoth Factory' beach hut stall a choice selection of unique decorations from tree top vintage doll fairies to character garlands; one off pieces of jewellery to a variety of creature door draught excluders.

Customised Tree Tops!

16/11/2016

Eye Remember You...

14/10/2016

Hare Today...

1/9/2016

Collaborating with local folklore writer, poet and English teacher Chris Firth, Rachael has painted these promotional watercolours to illustrate exerts from his latest tale, a shivery chronicle of creature survival, blinkered beliefs, scepticism and vanity:

'Hare and The Winter Queen'.

This with the aim of catching a publishing deal, and the possibility of further paintings to appear in a hardbound landscape story book.

For further enquires into Rachael's animal watercolour paintings or pet portraiture, please call or send a message through the
Contact Form

I Do Have A Wooden Heart!

31/8/2016

Goodbye Summer Sailor!

14/8/2016

Back by popular demand...
A second wave of 'Goodbye Sailor!'

... and Sew Farewell

9/6/2016

(Top) A texturally extravagant patchwork portrayal of
'The Sailor's Farewell' tinted etching (right), made by over 50 individual artists and stitchers is, as from today, on display at The Captain Cook Memorial Museum, Whitby.

Rachael's square features centre of final and is pencilled over silk, cotton and velvet.

This community collaboration was the brainchild project of the museum's own Miriam Shone. Squares individually finished in fabric and thread by local peoples and carefully matched up and sewn together into the farewell final.

Pin Time

8/5/2016

Rachael's been busy making these little beauties. Her new Story Pin Cushions are practical and decorative, lovingly hand-stitched art works with a Victorian feel. Working together tactile vintage fabric, little celluloid and metal charms, and sequins. They have been finished off with pinned glass bead edging.
Each is a completely unique, one-off piece. Available from Saturday 7th May (for a pocket pleasing £12) exclusively from 'Angela & Rosie', Scarborough...

www.angelaandrosie.com

Goodbye Sailor!

15/3/2016

Children can fashion and take home little peg dolls of a sailor and his sweetheart,
dressing them up in fitting costumes of C18th inspiration.
Gifts traditionally made and exchanged between families for centuries, to keep
and remind loved ones that you are with them, in effigy, even if you are away.
A sentiment similar to a lock of hair or locket with miniature portrait.
Our thoughts are of sailors making such dollies; someone for the little ones to talk to and carry
around in their pockets, whilst their real daddies were at sea.

TWO FACED COW!

29/2/2016

Rachael is proud to declare that she made these.
Twin Cow Heads of wire, wool, leather coat panels, curtain pieces, halved bouncy balls, paint, sweat and tears. Like the 2 she made in 2011, only this time in reverse polarity. Latest album cover to feature her purpose built artwork - MUMMERS by mysterious trippy folk sample duo The FLK. (Photography by Steve Sharp.)
Orderable via - http://mumusic.bigcartel.com/

Similar giant creature headdress commissions welcome!
Orderable via - http://www.glittermothfactory.co.uk/contact.html

A Sailor's Valentine

20/1/2016

Being presented with a love token at anytime warms the cockles of a human heart.
Sailors swapped sentimental personal, handcrafted gifts with their wives and sweethearts (sometimes both!), when pressed to set sail and take leave of their homes, or on celebration of their return - as a reward for those thinking of them and patiently waiting for such a vast amount of time. Loved ones took great comfort in holding onto the hope that their sailor man; father of their children, husband or boyfriend would soon be restored to them. A ‘Sailor’s Valentine’ was the tangible promise that they would do all they could to return,
providing the faith was kept strong and the fates were kind.

‘Sailor’s Valentines’ were shelly scene boxes of little compartments filled with arrangements of shells and beads, some studded with phrases such as ‘Remember Me’ and ‘Forget-Me-Not', with a central focus, a ship or anchor, maybe the guiding points of a compass, even a little painted portrait. A keepsake those at home could gaze into, knowing that their man’s heart, despite being away at sea, was settled there, forever with them.

Why not come along to The Captain Cook Memorial Museum this Valentine’s day, choose from an assortment of pearls, miniature ships, paper forget-me-not flowers, shells, beads and charms, and make a unique valentine (similar to those brought back by Sailors from their voyages on the South Seas) for that special someone in your life? For that extra personal touch, you could bring along your own sentimental trinkets and photos to set inside your ‘Sailor’s Valentine’ box!

Workshop suitable for children and adults

Hosted by Yours truly...

A selection of resulting Love Tokens. More pictures and comments:
The Captain Cook Memorial Museum Facebook

Johannes Secker

23/12/2015

Celebrating a total of 3 instruments painstakingly handmade by prestigious Lythe based Craftsman Johannes Secker, which Rachael has been honoured to paint the finishing detail for. The latest, an Italian Virginals, with her finely brushed nameplate and jack rail lettering, likewise for Johannes' fortepiano of 2011, modelled on an instrument by Johann Andreas Stein c.1784, just purchased by The Royal College of Music.

These follow her design and painting of the cut flowers, feathers, shells and insects on the tulip wood soundboard and gold on blue nameplate lettering of Johannes' C17th copy of the harpsichord after Ruckers. This explosion of revived life and colour lends itself to the sentiment of the inscription on the underside of the lid, proclaiming that while the wood from which it was made was alive, it was mute; but now dead, it sounds sweetly
(as a harpsichord.) Such a woozingly pretty sound. Such a visual extravaganza. Like a neatly styled music box or a Fabergé egg, once opened it shows off its breathtaking delight, no longer concealed. This is Rachael's favourite piece and her proudest accomplishment in terms of freely designed contemporary painting, complimenting the ingenuity of the past. Learning something too, of the highly skilled, involved process Johannes goes through in order to build such beautiful pieces, Rachael found it quite awesome to be a collaborator at the final stage of the harpsichord's development. She did not copy the decorative design of any previous instrument, and let the shapes of the sections within the soundboard, influence the flow of natural forms, which she worked into the lightly shellacked wood with dilluted gouache pigments.

www.johannes-secker.co.uk

Johannes Secker’s keyboard instruments are found on both sides of the Atlantic. He is a Restorer of originals as well as a Maker of high-quality faithfully made copies of historical pieces from the C17th and C18th - reproductions of the kind of keyboard instruments that gave voice to the works of Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Quite different in kind from modern grand pianos, Johannes’ fortepianos, harpsichords and clavichords allow the music of the baroque and classical masters to sound in a way that the composers themselves would have recognised.

Raithwaite

22/11/2015

Raithwaite Estate, en route to Sandsend, now sporting a series of fresh, hand written exterior chalkboard signs, advertising and acting as polite notices.
These join 'The Dog Spa' and 'Bicycle Hire' lettering commissions on existing signs, completed by Rachael back in September and the previous autumn.
Suave ambience, refined cuisine, luxury accomodation and indulgent pampering.
www.raithwaiteestate.com

Paint It Like Stubbs!

16/7/2015

Thanks to Rachael for her marvellous workshop - 'Paint it like Stubbs' where children dressed as mini Stubbs and painted exotic animals from descriptions read by 'Captain Cook'. Some fantastic results!
The Captain Cook Memorial Museum

Imagine having to paint a portrait of a creature you’d never seen before, based largely on description. Captain Cook’s Endeavour voyage returned stories of sightings of ‘Kongouro from New Holland’ (now called Australia) and the pressure was on for George Stubbs, top animal portrait painter of the day, back in 1772, renowned for his popular portrayal of glossy prize horses, to show western society an accurate, lasting image of something fantastical, living a lot further away from home. What a challenge the lack of cameras posed then; the Kangaroo was something only a handful of westerners had ever glimpsed and what next to none had ever imagined. Using his own experimental process of wax and pigment, Stubbs turned words into marks and brush strokes, until the Kangaroo appeared in the flesh for all to see and wonder at.

The Captain Cook Memorial Museum have been honoured with a visit from this very painting of Stubbs’ ‘Kongouro’, on display until
29th September

Put yourself in Stubbs’ shoes (by dressing up in his wig, overalls and sitting at his easel), pretending that you are being commissioned by Captain Cook to paint a different creature indigenous to Australia. Listen carefully to what he and his men saw and sketch with watercolour pencils what you imagine this creature to look like. Brush water over the top of your work of art and watch your portrait come to life.

To mark the importance of each child’s creature portrait, their finished work of art was mounted in a gold frame with nameplate, at Captain Cook’s declaration of approval. A photograph of The Cassowary Bird / Duck-Billed Platypus was then revealed to accompany the description. The little Stubbs could then take their masterpieces home!