Dreamtime Magic- Koodor

March 26, 2020

Cuddling Koala bears - with Aboriginal design

Way way back, at the very very beginning, there was a mystical place known as Dreamtime where the Aboriginal ancestors of Australia created the entire world.  It was here where an orphan named Koobor lived

Read More

A Somalian Unicorn - Giraffe

March 25, 2020

Giraffe with long neck - decorative pattern inside

What do you get if you cross a camel with a leopard?  A Giraffe of course - or to use its original title, the aptly named ‘Camelopard’.  Well that’s what the old Europeans used to think, and camelopard was the name which was originally given to the long necked African creature; quite simply because its body resembled that of a camel, and its markings were something akin to a leopards.

Read More

Sleeping Giants - Panda

February 10, 2020

Panda with bamboo illustration Greetings Card

Written in ‘The Annals of Five Emperors’, during the reign of Emperor Huang, some 4000 years ago, it is said that the mighty ruler would keep Giant Pandas for the purpose of fighting.  In an ancient Chinese legend, again dating back some 4000 years, it tells of how a tribal leader named Huangdi once wielded wild animals to defeat a neighbouring tribe.  Amongst the fearsome animals who bravely went into battle were leopards, tigers… and Pand

Read More


Peacock Painting

February 05, 2020

Peacock watercolour painting -The DM Collection-Daniel Mackie

So this one has been a long time coming! All the paints out of the tin for this one! It took a long time and I was glad when it was done!

Read More

Nice Weather For Ducks

February 04, 2020

Runner ducks watercolour painting
Throughout history mankind has unfairly perceived ducks as being somewhat inferior to other animals.  You won’t find any duck deities, duck monuments, or duck legends.  Instead you will find an array of phrases which use the name for this fine bird; and it must be said, mostly in derogative terms.

Read More

Puffins - Design from start to finish

January 30, 2020

Puffin painting in progress with seascape

Puffins are funny looking birds! I have been meaning to add one to the collection for a while but could not get the composition right.  Having two together seemed to be the solution.  That beak was the problem for me!  So a bit of heavy stylisation was  the way forward.

Read More


The Whale and the Sea Slug

January 29, 2020

Whale illustration with ocean and ship

Being that whales spend roughly 90% of their time submerged under the waves, it comes as no surprise to hear that mankind have historically viewed them as very mystical creatures, and they are involved in many a myth.  Here's one involving a whale and sea slug; it’s kind of like a Japanese version of 'the hare and the tortoise'. 

Read More

Peacock Superstition - Lucky or Evil?

January 27, 2020

Peacock with flowers for a tail - The Dm Collection

Where there is great potential for things to go badly wrong you will find superstitions.  Whether it be on the battle field, the football pitch, or the farmland.  No more so is the potential for disaster more prevalent than on stage in the theatre.  And yes, no one usually physically dies, but a persons career certainly can!  So make sure there’s no whistling back stage, no wearing the colour blue, no performances of Macbeth, no mirrors, and certainly no peacock feathers!

Read More

Pelican in Progress

January 16, 2020

Pelican painting in progress
Strange looking birds pelicans!  I wanted to simplify the shape and try and get some balance going on with the body and the bil

Read More


A Pelican in Her Piety

January 15, 2020

Pelican Art deco design with blue and gold - Greetings Card

To reach the afterlife in ancient Egypt you must first deal with the trappings of the underworld.  Here you will have to contend with various Gods, monsters, gatekeepers, and ultimately prove your worth to Osiris, the Lord of the underworld.

Read More

Top 10 Woodland Animals- Facts and Stories

January 05, 2020

Woodland animals designs - greetings Cards

Here are ten interesting narratives about Woodland Animals with references to their place in our culture. Some are form ancient mythologies like the owls and their wisdom,  and others like the ‘The Fox and the Crow’. which tell us to be cautious of flattery!

Read More

The Hare and the Moon

December 23, 2019

Hare with decorative interior with flowers looking up

Why are hares associated with the moon? Hares are fundamentally nocturnal. Nighttime was once a very dangerous place and the moon was once believed to actually cause madness,

Read More