I designed decorative gates and panels for the two entrances at Castle Terrace Gardens, part of the Broughty Ferry active travel enhancements. I responded to the site specific space by hearing the history of the gardens from residents and their desire to reflect a tranquil and relaxing space.
The final designs have a mix of flora, fauna and creatures with a nod to the fern and thistle that link past resident Mr Gilray who represented both Scotland and New Zealand at rugby.
To appeal to families with young children I highlighted some snails trails, ladybirds and butterflies that might be spotted in the gardens. I hope the gates encourage children to look closer and discover the magic that is around us. There are 2 entrances, each entrance is unique with a similar feel.
Design Process
With a project like this I have an abundance of ideas and use traditional methods of sketching to think through the process. Then I select and reject ideas to create clear concepts for feedback. As the project developed it was agreed that panels leading to the gates would be designed to give a coherent look. Designs were mocked up to help visualise and a classic bottle green was chosen. Designs were then developed fully to suit the manufacturing process and safety guidelines.
Accessibility
Part of this transformation includes a sloped accessible path into the gardens and decorative gates that open both ways. Broughty Ferry esplanade has been transformation to help improve active travel, part of a much bigger picture you can find out more here. I particularly love working on strategic projects that encourage people to get out and about and improve places.
Local Fabrication
Local fabricator (AS Fabrication) worked on the technical aspect of the gates design and the bottle green colour applied by Tayside Powder Coating Services. I love when ideas become reality and seeing my work applied to different surfaces and situations and working with experts in their field.
I have a vision of the world full of creative interventions to bring more joy to the spaces we play, live, work and travel through. My aim is to uplift and connect people and highlight the positives by creating artworks that capture a sense of place which creates a sense of belonging. I love to do this by playfully applying colour and pattern to site specific spaces with bespoke designs.
I designed gates for Windmill Gardens just next to Castle Terrace Gardens which have a different look to suit the space, you can see a link with the stripes and circles. You can see them here
I’m delighted to have painted a penguin on the Maggie’s Penguin Parade. Number 64 on the trail map, next to the 5 penguin sculptures. It’s great to be part of the trail of 80 penguins to find in Dundee and surrounding areas and the money raised is for Maggie’s Dundee. You can find out more about it 
During the month of January I took part in Fun A Day, where you do something fun every day. I wanted to explore and play with an idea with no defined outcome to see where it takes me. Adapting the ‘Five Currant Buns’ nursery rhyme as a starting point. I went on a journey and did some sketches of bakers shops, ink drawings, illustrations, patterns and then focused on creating a range of paper cuts of local shop fronts and all cool things they sell. I love local independent shops on the high street. 
The exhibition opens on Friday 13th April at 7pm, and is on over the Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 7pm at Gallery space, 4th floor, WASPS Studios, Meadow Mill, Dundee, DD1 5BY. The exhibition will have an eclectic mix of projects that happened in January.
A few of the things I created during Fun A Day will be developed in the future, I can imagine a range of illustrations to a 5 Dundee Cakes in the bakers shop counting book. Doing the paper cuts allowed me to think about the positive and negative space and keep designs quite simple. I’ve been playing with these by adding colour and texture since January. Here are some test pieces
Patterned sand looking over to Broughty Ferry castle with a happy sun shiny Dundee cake sky, evoking memories of days at the beach.
The characterful 5 bronze penguins by sculptor Angela Hunter that make people smile as they walk past and sometimes they have been known to adorn clothes and hats.
Local delicacy of the Dundee Cake, with the lovely pattern of the almonds on top.
Maggies Centre designed by world renowned architect Frank Gehry here in the city which I believe is evidence of how good design changes peoples’ lives providing a place of calm, support, nurture and tranquility created within a purposeful space. Externally, I enjoy the shape and movement of the roof which I feel echoes the local landscape.
Creative and cultural hub in Dundee with the curved face of different surfaces which is invites you in to the space which houses 2 cinemas, print studio, galleries and a bar and a restaurant.
Dundee’s art gallery and museum in the fantastic gothic revival architecture, I love dramatic staircase and the detail in the architecture. So many stories lye within this building I particularly love the ceramics, Dundee and the World exhibitions and the Tay whale.