Glyndebourne Lake Leben

Print description

This artwork showcases a lively summer day by the lake at Glyndebourne. Imagine the lake as a vibrant stage, much like an opera performance. My print dreams of transforming the lake into a captivating setting with the vitality of summer lighting the scene. In my design, the daisies represent us, the audience, eagerly awaiting the enchanting performance of life’s music and dance in the lake.

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 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).

About Glyndebourne Opera Festival

Glyndebourne is a beautiful English country house in Sussex, home to an opera house that has hosted the annual Glyndebourne Festival Opera since 1934. During the opera intervals, it’s a tradition to have a picnic in the gardens. This particular spot, at the end of the lake with a view of the auditorium, is one of my favourites.

The lake at Glyndebourne was originally marshland transformed into a thriving lake by a modest dam. In my design, I aim to capture the vitality of the lake’s natural life, dormant in winter but bursting with vitality during the summer.

Inspiration Behind the Design

In 2020, while staying at the Gothic Temple in Stowe, I was inspired by the enchanting evenings by the lake. At sunset, I witnessed a spectacular dance of mayflies, ascending and gliding rhythmically. This sensory overload became the catalyst for my print, which aims to convey the spirit of that magical day.

The Artistic Process

To create this design, I researched depictions of the natural world from various cultures, both historic and contemporary. The print draws inspiration from Chinese butterflies found in 18th-century wallpaper at the Brighton Royal Pavilion, Japanese art for the dragonflies, and the beautiful illustrations of English artist E. Ennion. The result is a celebration of life by the lake, featuring newts, dragonflies, mayflies, a grasshopper, and butterflies fluttering among oxeye daisies.