Tuesday 4 September 2012

Circus Lion

I love the circus as a theme, in fact I did a whole project on it for my Foundation Diploma, where I combined the circus with the constellations, and created Chorlton's Celestial Circus. (If you want to see it, it's on my blog http://joscreativeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2011_06_01_archive.html) I have a wire big top with acrobats and a parade of circus horses and a bareback rider in my lounge! I think it's partly because my family have a connection to the circus - my great-great aunt Leonorah Pinder was an 'equestrienne' and was painted by Walter Sickert. Other family members worked for Sanger's Circus and Pinder's Circus, including my great-grandad and other great-great aunts and uncles! 
So for my tag I decided to use the Pinder Circus red and yellow, and create a circus lion.
This idea came from two places - firstly this amazing photo of Sanger's Circus arriving in Lewes sometime before the first World War. I hope you can see the lion, just resting on the top of the carriage!

  
The second inspiration was a bit of nonsense my Grandad used to come out with, which I found hilarious as a child - "Roll up! Roll up! See the live lion, stuffed with straw!" For me this was the pinnacle of humour, so I've made a 'live' lion, complete with straw stuffing. I used fleece and fur fabric, and some rafia for the straw. There is an annoying splodge of glue on his face, but I am quite pleased with how he's turned out. I hope he draws in the crowds!

16 comments:

  1. That's a really cute lion, Jo. He reminds me of a stuffed one I used to have in my bedroom as a child. I found your family history fascinating. Do you have any pictures? Have a blessed week.

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  2. Great tag, and what a fantastic photo with the lion sitting on top! Valerie

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  3. Lovely memories, lovely tag! x

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  4. Oh Wow...how interesting Jo!..Fabby vintage pic...and so is your cute little lion!

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  5. What a great family history Jo. I bet the lion tamer won't mind one bit putting his head in the mouth of your cute cuddly lion!

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  6. Great fun tag and wonderful story. What a fabulous family history! :0)

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  7. Jo, what a sweet tag! I love the lion and I think your Celestial Circus is very cool!! Thanks for the great family history and great picture, I love the lion in the photo!
    Hugs,
    Ivy

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  8. Ha what a great, humourous tag. Loving your lion. Do you ever get the urge to follow in your relative's footsteps?

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  9. A circus without lions is not a real circus, good idea Jo and beautiful tag.
    Anni

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  10. Love your cuddly lion and the colourful tag. Fabulous photo and interesting family history, Jane xx

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  11. Fascinating background info, Jo. Love your little lion. I too had a similar one as a toy when little! Carolyn x

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  12. I love he tags which tell a story - yours is very engaging. Amazed to see the lion on top of the carriage in the photo! Your lion tag reproduces such a lovely memory.

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  13. Fabulous family history, love your furry lion tag.. Hugs May x x x

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  14. Great little tag Jo and what lovely stories to that's an amazing vintage picture!

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  15. Brilliant fun tag and really interesting story. Annie x

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