Ignis - The Fire and Lava Portal

I am a Hampshire based artist and illustrator.

Born and raised near Newcastle, I’ve had a lifelong love of drawing and creating. I moved to Hampshire after finishing my degree in illustration and design.

The majority of my work currently is personalised illustrations and pet portraits but over the years I have undertaken many interesting projects and commissions. I find it really hard to say no!

I have been involved in the art trails for a few years now at Furzey Gardens and love being part of it, this years been even more special as my children have been involved and created a piece too, it’s been fantastic to work along side them and share the journey with them. We are a creative and hands on family. Keep an eye out for Volcarian Galax Ignitus Vulcanox aka Jeremy! And say hi!

The intergalactic vortex gate can transport you to many places. This one takes you to magmatica, a volcanic pyroclastic land. The idea behind the design is that the tyranium arc can change to any portal along the outside glowing ring, showing each symbol for all the portals of Galactic Furzey.

I’ve enjoyed the theme this year as it’s not something I tend to paint, it’s always great to step out of the comfort zone and do something different.

Maria Jaroszewicz AKA Selune is a multidisciplinary artist, specialising in sculpture and installation. She is currently finishing her BA Fine Art at Arts University Bournemouth and planning her future MA in painting. In her practice she uses heavy texture incorporating natural elements such as earth and water, taking inspiration from spiritual connection with Mother Nature and the Universe, that she perceives as a conscious Oneness. These heavy textures, sculptural accents, her love for crystals and connection to elements are distinctively visible in alien creatures created by the artist for Furzey Gardens.

Meet three alien creatures from lava, water and gem worlds. Each one is shaped by its environment and shows how life can grow in different ways.

Apart from sculpture and painting the artist enjoys working with textiles, photography, moving picture and sound. 

Meet Blaze, a vibrant alien creation brought to life by our talented young artists aged 6–8 at Kids Art Club with Shelley.

Working collaboratively in teams, the children explored colour, texture, and imagination to design this bold character. They began by building rich, layered backgrounds using sponges and brushes, experimenting with different painting techniques. Next came an exciting printing stage, where they used found objects like cardboard tubes, paint pot lids, rollers, textured wallpaper, and stencils to create unique patterns and effects.
Finally, the children added striking details using Posca paint pens, giving Blaze his distinctive personality and flair.

This project is part of our ever-changing art units at Kids Art Club, where creativity knows no bounds. Based in Southbourne and running every Friday during term time, our sessions are open to children aged 5–11. Each term brings a new theme and medium — from clay and sculpture to drawing, painting, fashion, textiles, and even spray painting and street art!

Kids Art Club is led by artist and teacher Shelley Perry, a landscape painter known for her expressive use of colour and light. Her work is full of vivid, energetic tones, with a recent exploration into neon colours that bring an added vibrancy to her paintings. Over the past two years, Shelley has developed a unique approach, painting with her hands instead of brushes. This intuitive process is calming and therapeutic, helping to free the mind from control and focus on letting go and enjoying the act of creating.

Shelley has exhibitions coming up this year at Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre (throughout May) and at The Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Country Park, Swanage (July 21st–August 4th). She also runs adult hand-painting workshops for anyone who would like to experience this freeing and playful approach to art for themselves!

For bookings and more information, visit www.shelleyperryartist.co.uk or follow along on Instagram @shelley_perry_artist.