Art & Design,Visual ArtNOV 11, 2024

From Velvet Curtains To Wooden Spoons: I Transform Everyday Objects Into Nature Costumes (31 New Pics)

I don't need it to be "Spooky Season" to dress up. I spend my time drawing, then dressing up as my subjects—mostly birds, sometimes bugs, a bat, a fish...

I use a combination of my own clothes, vintage finds, homemade props, makeup, and styling to echo the wonder of nature. Sometimes daft, occasionally hilarious, but mostly beautiful, these looks have been featured in exhibitions and museums from Queer Britain to BBC's Winterwatch.

#1 Mallard (Anas Platyrhynchos)

8points

I use everything from clothes pegs to a wooden spoon, a bowl covered in fabric, a velvet curtain from Oxfam, or just that perfect jacket. I have made pom-poms and a patchwork corset, a papier-mâché crown, and an embroidered bib. Now that I've reached a milestone, I call these creations "Gentle References," and I've made 100 of them so far.

#2 Andean Cock-Of-The-Rock (Rupicola Peruvianus) - With Home-Made Pom-Pom

6points

#3 Eurasian Coot (Fulica Atra) - With Painted Wooden Spoon, Face Adornment

6points

It's not just for fun—I use my illustrations to inform my research, which I post on my blog, Birds Can Fly. There, I reveal how I make my outfits and explore the history and cultural context of the creatures I draw.