The making of...The Jaguar's Paradise

THE JAGUAR'S PARADISE

The Jaguar’s Paradise design is based on a range of ‘country scene’ samplers from the 1800’s, many from the vast collection owned by the late Betty Ring in Philadelphia, PA. A recurring characteristic of these artworks is the schoolhouse or country house, usually surrounded by flora and fauna, creating an elegant and whimsical border. Weeping willows and picket fences are a regular feature, and the palette is often pretty but subdued. Sabina chose to feature the magnificent, endangered jaguar as her primary subject, accompanied by a school of other threatened and endangered creatures. Verse was frequently included in many samplers as a way to practise detail and lettering; Each design from the Samplers of Sincerity collection contains a trompe l’œil embroidered verse, inspired by those found in antique school samplers. The verses contain a moral caution to protect our natural world.

Sabina wrote the verses in each design, inspired by the texts she found during her research; She also penned an additional short verse to accompany each design.

The jaguar in all splendour resides in paradise,

Her spots aglow, her whiskers keen, she prowls the gardens twice;

For grace and virtue will not save her flock in all their glory,

As clouds approach to cast shadow and end their innocent story.

O, help we must! Let’s aid these beasts and do the work together,

By joining in and acting fast we’ll end their inclement weather.

THE JAGUAR'S PARADISE ILLUSTRATION IN PROGRESS