Mr Finch’s Magical Fairytale Woodland Animals

Now when this email landed in my inbox this afternoon, I very well almost ignored it ’til later but thank goodness I didn’t because I can’t think of an email more suited to this rather joyous day of spring sunshine and good stuff. Mister Finch is a textile artist, obviously it was love at first sight of the name birds of a feather an’ all that and is somewhat of a rarity in the textile world, being a fella. But needless to say, this Mr Finch makes magic with a needle because these animals are cute, but before you all groan ‘we’ve seen it all before’, I suggest you hold your tongue because these are special.

Hares, foxes, wolves, rabbits, beetles, moths and butterflies, this fairytale woodland of creatures will capture your hearts for sure. There is nothing cutesy or twee about them, which I despise, these are magical and slightly eerie, a sprinkling of Tim Burton and a pinch of Tim Walker, pretty yet slightly raw, they seem to create an emotional reaction in me that I can’t quite put my finger on but I’m absolutely hooked by them. They sort of make me want to cry yet smile and laugh at the same time. He sites British folklore as one of his many influences, it’s so apparent and maybe that’s the reason of my response and their obvious magnetism. Boggarts and elves, witches and Will-O’-the-wisp, hobgoblins and Tom Thumb, they’re all in there, along with Jack and the Beanstalk and Hansel and Gretel (even if this is German in origin). Made out of recycled materials; old wedding dresses, vintage aprons and hotel curtains all bring the sense of previous lifetimes which form the basis for the animal’s character. If you ever are lucky enough to visit Leeds or the Yorkshire Dales, be sure to keep your eyes peeled, for you never know when magic will happen.

Available to buy from Mr Finch’s Etsy shop and also select stockists around the UK.

all images taken from Mr Finch’s website