April Fool's Day - #15 - 01/04/20

Today I started #15. I have a stash of paper, card and canvasses here at the house and for this next piece I've chosen two pieces of card that came from a parcel delivery; they are joined together with strong glue at the sides but open centrally, much like a window would do. On opening each side out, the other piece of card is revealed. This inspired me to create something to mark the Rainbow Trail that has grown worldwide since it started in Italy earlier on in the Coronavirus crisis. As I'm sure you are aware, children have been encouraged to look out for Rainbow pictures when out on their daily exercise during Lockdown. F created one on 25th March for our lounge window where it will stay until lockdown is over. We have started to look out for other houses with rainbows in the windows during our daily walks. Some of them are so lovely, with messages of Thanks to Keyworkers, and some very original ideas too. My mum is doing a new rainbow picture every day for her front window over on the mainland in Waterlooville. We get photos of these sent to us daily but who knows when we will actually be able to visit and see the display first hand.

My efforts today focused on collecting newspaper and magazine cuttings in each of the seven colours of the rainbow. I've used takeaway pots to store them all in and can't wait to get started on my rainbow collage. First I need to do some newspaper papier-mache on the brown cardboard as I think this will be a better base for the collage.

I was also forwarded a request today for children's artwork to decorate the new NHS Nightingale Hospital. It wasn't clear if they wanted rainbow pictures specifically and despite several attempts to find out more information through Google, I had to assume that when it said 'Children's Drawings Needed' that it was a general request. So we sent in F's art from his school project, inspired by Lichtenstein and his love of the TV show Top Gear and then various pieces by E which included a Koala bear, an abstract piece and an Andy Warhol inspired piece featuring a dancer. We haven't heard anything back but are very excited that their artwork could be on display in London very soon.

On our daily walk today at Pig Leg Lane we spotted a red squirrel which was lovely and we also started building a Den. We hope to go back and finish it in the next few days.