Artists’ Reflections

Two of our artists tell us all about the sculptures they created

As autumn draws in and our magical sculptures get ready to find their forever homes at our Trail with Tale auction, we speck to two artists about what the trail has meant to them.

Amelia Jay (Clover)

What inspires your artwork and do you have a signature style or medium you love to work with?

The main inspiration for my work is nature – I’m constantly in awe of mother nature and how she delights us. Each season with new things to see and different colours and textures. Sometimes I paint from my photos for reference and other times I go from memory with a bit of whimsy! I mostly use acrylic paint but often add collage/mixed media.

Why did you want to design a sculpture for the trail?

I really wanted to be part of this trail as it’s in my hometown but also because the stargazer is such a lovely pose. For me this elegant sculpture suited my style and ideas.

What inspired the name of your sculpture?

I chose Clover as a name because it suited her natural look and I was interested in including things a hare might eat.

What was your process for designing and working on your sculpture? How long did it take?

I wanted her to look like she was sitting in her natural setting with grasses, thistles and flowers all around her. I think the pose looks quite contemplative, so that gave me the idea for her having a blue body.

“Clover” gazes skyward, pondering her place in the universe. Flowers and grasses, all part of a hare’s natural diet, adorn her coat, as a visual metaphor for the circle of life. She dines on the landscape and becomes part of it in turn. Dandelions in particular represent resilience and the strength to overcome challenges. She is a beautiful reflection of the natural world of which she is an intrinsic part. The vibrant flora, set on an evocative sky blue, compliment the calm and tranquillity of her majestic and meditative pose. She is at peace with her surroundings and her heart is full of wonder.

I used acrylics and emulsion paints – she took 13 days from start to finish!

What do you hope people feel when they see your sculpture?

I hope people feel reflective and peaceful when they look at her, and reminded about the wonder of nature and how lucky we are to have mother nature’s gifts.

How does it make you feel to see people enjoying your sculpture on the trail?

I heard a child talking to her mum about my design and naming all the flowers she recognised. That made me really smile and feel happy that she was so engaged.

Which sculpture on the trail are you drawn to?

I adore Wild Wendy by Georgina Luck. She’s my favourite because I love how she’s used inks to make a loose floral style all over the tortoise.

If you could choose a forever home for your sculpture, where would that be?

I’d love to see Clover in a natural setting, perhaps someone’s garden or a similar outdoor space. But wherever she ends up doesn’t matter as long as she raises lots of money for Demelza!

Where can people find more of your work?

Instagram: @ameliajayartist Facebook: Amelia Jay

My next exhibitions are in December at the Royal Tunbridge Wells Art Society Winter Show: https://rtwas.org/

And I’ll be doing a pop up shop again from October – January in the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells: https://www.instagram.com/twells_creative_arts?igsh=cXc0ZzBsazNrMXZx

Helen Bristow (Brassica)

What inspires your artwork and do you have a signature style or medium you love to work with?

Nature inspires me in my work. As a gardener and animal lover I am surrounded by a wealth of inspiration.

Why did you want to design a sculpture for the trail?

As with all my sculptures I paint, it is the charity that is at the forefront of my mind. I paint sculptures that people find attractive and could add to their home or business after the auction.

What inspired the name of your sculpture?

Brassica is a genus of plant of which cabbages are part of. It also sounds like a good name for a monster snail.

What was your process for designing and working on your sculpture? How long did it take?

I usually start with a mind map and then put images and ideas together. I am a very visual person and that is how I design. Because I put a lot of detail in my work, the final painting can take well over a month.

What do you hope people feel when they see your sculpture?

I like people to laugh or smile when they see the sculpture. I hope Brassica shows their personality – Brassica is of course a friendly snail.

How does it make you feel to see people enjoying your sculpture on the trail?

It makes me feel I have done a good job and I have brought life to the sculpture. It warms my heart.

Which sculpture on the trail are you drawn to?

I love all the sculptures for all different reasons.

If you could choose a forever home for your sculpture, where would that be?

In a garden amongst the butterflies and the bees.

Where can people find more of your work?

My work can be seen on Instagram: @halexanderbristowillustrator On my Brush Bio site: www.brush.bio/helenalexanderbristowartist

And at the Outside In National Open Exhibition in January 2026 at Christie’s: www.outsidein.org.uk/exhibition/shelter

Elaine Gill (Sir Thistledown – Fitzharebert of the Wells)

What inspires your artwork? Do you have a signature style or medium you love to work with?

I love to work in pen and watercolour for my everyday work, however, love to play with other mediums such as charcoal and oil, most recently taking up etching and different way to represent my drawings.

Why did you want to design a sculpture for the trail?

I attended the thank you event for Morphs Epic art adventure London, of which I painted a 6ft Morph. Sarah Harvey, the trail director, asked if I would be interested in painting the launch sculpture for a very special trail. Sarah couldn’t say too much and a few weeks later was approached by Demelza, and of course it was a yes! Sir Thistledown was kept under wraps until the launch night. I was then asked to paint a small hare, using the colours and logos of the wonderful Demelza charity

What was your process for designing and working on your sculpture? How long did it take?

Once I knew the trail was to be held in Royal Tunbridge Wells, the design had to reflect our town. I have drawn a number of maps, for RTW. So combining the map and the iconic buildings drew the map on the back of the hare. It’s a Georgian town, so traditional dress, frills, lace and buckles. The Hare itself is wooden, with Tunbridge Ware nose, ears and paws. If you look closely you will see on the broach the initials, DP, for the founders daughter, Demelza Phillips. The sculpture is first sanded, primed and many layers of acrylic paint are painted to give an even colour. The hardest question to ask how long? When you are having fun time really does fly!

What do you hope people feel when they see your sculpture?

I hope people smile and stop and connect, start a conversation, provoke a memory or just appreciate the art of the artist

How does it make you feel to see people enjoying your sculpture on the trail?

I have had the loveliest messages from people, and photos taken, just makes me smile.

Where can people find more of your work? Website address/upcoming exhibitions etc

www.elainegill.co.uk. Instagram @elainejgill

Thank you to all our incredible artists for bringing our trail to life this summer.