Geoffrey the giraffe

• Subject: Giraffe Free Little Library
• Medium: Emulsion and Acrylic
• Completion Date: August 13, 2021
• Completion Time: 3 weeks
• Dimensions: 24'' X 40''
• Background: Foliage

The first free little library in Hadleigh, Essex and the concept of Kate Pagram, who approached me with the initial idea of creating a local community project. Carpentry skills courtesy of Brian Hickey, former fireman and premises manager at Hadleigh Old Fire Station. Each one of us gave our time voluntarily and the Reverend Ruth Cartwright kindly agreed to site Geoffrey the giraffe on the grounds of St Barnabas Church, Woodfield Road, Hadleigh at an opening event on the 2nd of October, 2021.

On receiving the library I first gave it two coats of light blue emulsion paint. Then I decided to waterproof the roof by cutting some left over roofing felt into shingles and attaching them individually. Next I sketched out Geoffrey and proceeded to paint him in System 3 acrylic paints utilising the handles to create three dimensional eyes. After adding some swathes of leaves I gave Geoffrey two coats of exterior gloss varnish and he was ready to meet his public. Geoffrey is a very friendly giraffe but he does have a bad habit of reading over people’s shoulders!