For those who cannot wait to see the colourful array of Herd in the City elephants when they arrive for the art trail this summer, fear not!
The Echo is a proud media partner for the art trail and we can reveal a sneak preview of some of the elephants which the artists have been busy working away on.
Surfex is a third-generation family business. The company normally resurfaces vinyl nationwide, including cruise ships, hotels and office refurbishments.
The design they have created is Duke is a vibrant patchwork elephant and the first completed for the herd.
Sally Chinea's has widely exhibited her work and has pieces in many collections, including the National Trust. She also enjoys sharing a wide range of skills, running workshops and art projects.
Her design, A Day out to the Seaside is based on her memories of days out to Southend with her gran, mum and sister.
Artist Jason Curtis is a versatile creative, ranging from exquisitely detailed bespoke leatherwork, through dramatic nautical paintings and urban driftwood sculptures, to spirited cartoons that vividly capture his sense of humour.
His "Selfiephant" is inspired by the popular idea of wing murals and is a dual design that allows the viewer to choose a winged selfie backdrop.
MrASingh has designed and painted over 30 public art sculptures across the UK and loves being part of the trail.
His abstract design "Creative Freedom" incorporates vibrant colours and textures celebrating the different types of creative people in our community.”
Artist Anne-Marie Byrne worked for many years in non-creative fields before rediscovering her love of painting when the Wild in Art Pigs came to Ipswich. Since then, Anne-Marie has painted for many charity trails across the UK, including our Hares About Town trail in 2021. Auctions of Anne-Marie's work have raised over £142,000 for the various charities.
Her design "Ecophant" delves into the idea that elephants are well known for their nurturing, caring natures. Here, the Ecophant is providing a refuge for some of Asia's most endangered species.
Donna Newman Donna Newman is the artist behind Eden-designs Murals. She is a self-proclaimed addict of public art trails and has worked closely with Wild in Art on over 70 sculpture commissions helping to raise over £250,000 for charities through their sales.
Her design Nelly Southend hosts the longest pleasure pier in the world and is home to one of the first ever purpose-built amusement parks. This sculpture celebrates the resort town’s history with a vintage-style design featuring illustrations of classic theme-park rides. Nelly the elephant, has packed his trunk for a trip down to Southend.
John Bulley is a painter, all-round 'jack of all trades, and master of none.' His design "The Lost Golden Elephant"is a long-lost fantasy golden elephant discovered in Essex.
Peter Cass has been a professional graphic designer for nearly twenty years. He will be producing this piece along with his wife, Michelle who is an established artist and teacher and appeared on Sky Arts' Portrait Artist of the Year in 2021.
The design is inspired by Keith, Peter's dad, who sadly passed away last year after suffering from a rare form of blood cancer. His favourite animal happened to be an elephant and this design pays tribute to him, using abstract shapes to represent his personality traits, likes, dislikes, achievements, sense of humour and love.
Esme Taylor Esme is an Artist and Art Teacher who lives in Leigh, teaching students between 11 to 99 years old.
Her design is inspired by the Where's Wally? books. Esme loves watching people, especially children, studying the details of her work.
Neil Fendell has been creating a series of posters celebrating the local area based around Leigh, Southend and the Thames Estuary. His illustrations are contemporary but have a quirky 'retro' printed style.
His design Rock 'n' Glow inspired by Neil’s life and focuses on when he thinks Southend comes to life, at night!
For more information and a full list of the Herd in the City sponsors visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/donate
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