Time Between Plays at Brighton Open Air Theatre BOAT

This print depicts that quiet, slightly peculiar moment between performances at the Brighton Open Air Theatre—or BOAT, as the locals fondly call it.

At this point in the day, the stage sits empty. The audience has gone off. Nature, quite undeterred, begins to reclaim the spotlight. As a result, there’s a strong sense of biodiversity. It’s a layered performance—not of actors, but of petals, wings, and humming things.

The oxeye daisies bloom in full confidence. Meanwhile, the insects take their cues. Suddenly, the theatre is alive with a different kind of drama. The bumble bees are busy in the wings. At the same time, the butterflies appear—with their delicate Regency flair—as if fluttered in straight from the Royal Pavilion’s wallpaper. It’s a cheeky little historical cameo.

Then there’s the dragonfly. Unmistakably Japanese in character. It glides in with quiet poise, like it’s been borrowed from a woodblock print.

Finally, the architecture of the amphitheatre anchors the scene. It’s concrete. A touch Brutalist. Yet it’s softened by the scrubby charm of Brighton’s flora and fauna.

Print details

To create this print, I start by crafting individual drawings in ink, which collectively form a collage comprising the final piece. I scan my drawings and digitally add colour. The original design solely exists in digital format, and I print it using archival inks and paper. I then release my design as a limited edition print, available in standard ‘A’ sizes, ranging from A0 (84.1 cm x 118.9 cm) to A4 (21 x 29.7 cm).