Ann and I are thrilled to reveal the latest additions to The Wylde Ones collection…
When we launched the collection in spring, neither of us imagined how warmly it would be received, or how many new faces it would bring to Otherwurlde Studio.
Six months on, The Wylde Ones has grown into a family of more than thirty original works — and it’s still expanding. What began as a small experiment has become something far more: the “battery” that keeps the Otherwurlde light shining bright.
Thanks to your support, that light now feels steadier and stronger than ever.
As I write, we’re just days away from our debut at Swindon’s Designer Outlet Centre — and yes, we’re both a little nervous. So, wish us luck… and perhaps cross your fingers for good measure!!
We hope you enjoy these new releases as much as Ann has enjoyed painting them…
With our warmest wishes,
Gary & Ann
So here we are again…
For those who’ve been with us from the start, welcome back. And if this is your first glimpse into the Collection, we’ll get you up to speed.
Each piece in The Wylde Ones is hand-painted by Ann on linen-wrapped canvas boards — a subtle shift from the smoother panels of Otherwurlde. The natural canvas weave and brushwork lend these works a softness and energy that feels alive; they don’t chase perfection — they hum with intent.
Colour plays its own quiet role here. Drawing inspiration from a certain heritage paint archive (let’s call it Barrow & Fall), Ann has blended bespoke oils that echo those timeless hues — warm, elegant, and perfectly suited to real homes.
Compositionally, these creatures rarely sit centre-stage. They hover at the edges, as if just stepping into view — a nod to true wildness: unposed, uninvited, unafraid. The result is both intriguing and slightly disquieting, which is exactly as it should be. Art, after all, isn’t there to soothe; it’s there to spark thought, invite reflection, and earn its place on the wall.
By keeping the frame open, we also leave space for story. A little mystery. That sense that something might just happen once you look away.
So, with that in mind… let’s take a look at what the latest wave brings.
It’s no surprise that hares have become the runaway success of The Wylde Ones. With each new release, we’ve made sure to include at least one — giving collectors the chance to display them together as a larger, characterful grouping.
This time is no exception, and we’re delighted to introduce Bad Hare Day…
The piece takes its cue from one of our most popular images, Big Drip, Little Owl — that playful scene where a bemused owl shelters under a dripping leaf. Given how often that one still raises a smile, we wondered how one of Ann’s slightly bewildered hares might cope under a leaf of its own!
Look closely and you’ll spot a tiny yellow-and-black caterpillar perched above — shaking himself dry like a miniature Labrador and sending the raindrops splashing down. It’s a small detail, but one that perfectly captures the humour and warmth that define The Wylde Ones.
And the background? For ‘Bad Hare Day..’ we chose ‘Chinese Blue’ from the Barrow & Fall archive — a deep, serene tone that complements the hare’s warm colouring perfectly.
The image below, shows how we’re framing Original Artworks for this collection. We’re having work float-mounted over a matte background of midnight blue. There’s then a small gap before we get to a fillet of distressed & antique’d effect brass. That allows the blue backboard to show through along with the natural shadows cast by the artwork itself. It’s a beautiful solution. As for the actual moulding, we’re using a gently contoured, inward-sloping moulding in matte-black. We consider this the ideal solution to best support these expressive slabs of colour and allow them to ‘sing’.
Next, we have Flutterby…
Years ago, I walked a long stretch of the Ridgeway Path, and one of my fondest memories is catching sight of an elusive Chalkhill Blue butterfly drifting across a meadow. That moment stayed with me — so when Ann began sketching ideas for a new painting featuring a mother badger and her cubs, it seemed the perfect chance to let that same ghostly Chalkhill Blue flutter into view once more.
There’s such a warmth to this piece, don’t you think? The two cubs nestle close to their mother for reassurance, while above them, the butterfly hovers — a fleeting visitor from another world. It’s a small encounter, yet it speaks of trust, comfort, and quiet wonder.
And the background? For Flutterby…, we chose ‘Mere Green’ from the Barrow & Fall archive — a deep, almost sea-green that forms a striking counterpoint to the badgers’ white stripes. To our eyes, it feels like a winter’s night: rich, enveloping, and serene.
How can we tell that autumn was on its way when this was painted back in September? Because Ann’s thoughts had skipped forward to winter, her favourite season!
In our old house up on the hill — “in the middle of nowhere” — it was common to see squirrels scurrying across the lawn in the colder months, unearthing the nuts they’d buried back in summer. So when it came to painting a new squirrel for this release, Ann’s mind wandered back to those scenes — and to Feeling Nutty, one of the earliest and most-loved pieces in the collection.
This time, she went for a decidedly wintry theme, complete with glistening holly berries. But look closely and you’ll see the story: our foraging squirrel has just dropped the nut he’s found, distracted by the tempting berries above. No wonder it’s A Berry Good Day!
And the background colour? Despite its pale green appearance, according to Barrow & Fall, it’s actually ‘Powder Blue’— a cool, luminous tone that captures the crisp clarity of a frosty morning.
For the final painting in this release, we bring you a pair of owl chicks — two downy bundles of curiosity that have been making Ann laugh since they first appeared on her easel. They were simply too irresistible not to share.
The story here is straightforward enough: these siblings are, quite literally, out on a limb — perched on a narrow branch, wide-eyed with surprise at a group of glowing creatures that seem to have drifted down from the moon above. And as for their mother? When I asked Ann what inspired the piece, she simply gave me one of her inscrutable looks and said it “just felt right.” Perhaps that’s all the explanation we need.
The background for Out on a Limb… was always destined to be ‘Pelt’ — that smoky blackberry-purple from the Barrow & Fall archive. It’s the perfect choice for conjuring a deep, mysterious night sky, alive with quiet mischief and possibility.
The image below, shows how we’re framing Original Artworks for this collection. We’re having work float-mounted over a matte background of midnight blue. There’s then a small gap before we get to a fillet of distressed & antique’d effect brass. That allows the blue backboard to show through along with the natural shadows cast by the artwork itself. It’s a beautiful solution. As for the actual moulding, we’re using a gently contoured, inward-sloping moulding in matte-black. We consider this the ideal solution to best support these expressive slabs of colour and allow them to ‘sing’.
If you’d like to see The Wylde Ones (and us) in person, this autumn offers plenty of chances to visit.
We’re splitting our time between Cirencester’s Corn Hall and our Swindon Designer Outlet pop-up gallery, where you’ll find The Wylde Ones in all their lively glory.
Upcoming Dates
Whether you’re planning a visit or browsing from home, we’d love you to see what’s new. Every piece — from the smallest print to the largest canvas — is made with the same care and attention we’d hope to find as collectors ourselves.
PLEASE REMEMBER that if you’re planning to collect an Otherwurlde piece from us in the Swindon Outlet, email us in-advance as we’ll be organising collections. We’ll only be showing Wylde Ones & Fauna on the stand… Oh, and we’re only showing our PRINTS in all sizes; NO ORIGINALS as it might be hard to keep track of them when we’re busy…
When we’re at Cirencester, we’ll have prints of both collections but again, space – especially for Otherwurlde – will be VERY TIGHT in the run-up to Xmas, so again, if there’s a particular piece you need, email us in advance!
Thank You!
Thanks for staying with us to the end of this newsletter.
Well, here we are — the next wave of The Wylde Ones is out in the world!
It’s been six months since we first introduced the collection, and the response has truly surprised us — in the best possible way. You’ve been extraordinary in your support through a time of enormous change, when technology is reshaping not just how art is made, but how it’s valued. In an age where so much feels uncertain, it means the world to know that Ann’s hand-painted work — created with care, intention, and soul — still speaks to you.
As we’ve said many times (but it bears repeating), The Wylde Ones has allowed us to keep creating the kind of work you’ve told us you love. It’s the battery that keeps the Otherwurlde light shining. Looking ahead, we’ll continue alternating releases between the two collections, so whichever world speaks most to you, we simply ask that you keep the faith — and keep journeying with us.
Finally, our heartfelt thanks to you all. Your support and patience over the years have been immense, and we couldn’t do any of this without you. Let’s keep that light shining.
