Kilsby Boat Project
Artist’s Impression of Kilsby
I was asked to conjure up an artist’s impression of what Kilsby theatre boat might look like in the future. This is a project close to my heart, Kilsby is an old butty, not too dissimilar in style but a little older than the one I live on, its renovation journey is still in full swing.
Things to consider with this brief were heritage, community, creativity, and accessibility, and in my imagination this vessel is manned by towpath creatures galore. This was printed on a a large banner for the Oxford Canal Festival 2026. I also provided the illustration as a colouring-in page for kids to get their arty mitts on too.
Colouring-in page
Logo Design; let the people vote!
Kilsby Theatre Boat is a community-based endeavour so it seemed right to get thoughts and feelings from that community for logo which will be for us all. We printed out a bunch of my ideas and welcomed people to choose their favourite and state the reasons why. We had a session during the Oxford Canal Festival, and another at a fundraising event a few months later.
As Kilsby edges further into its next phase of restoration, we can start really getting into the weeds of what it will be and mean as a local venue, and what imagery and wording would best suit the project. So thank you to everyone who let their opinions rip, and if anyone else has a preference, do let me know, and why!. No decisions made just yet…….and obviously I had to chuck some mermaids out there for good measure.