Alex NicLauchlainn Photography and Illustration

30/03/2025

As usual, I came up with an idea too late to really do justice to it, but anyway, happy Mothering Sunday to all of the mums out there.

I wanted to emphasise that being a mum isn't about being biologically related to a child, which is why this Ryland yow has a Dutch Spotted, and two texel mule lambs, alongside her two ryland lambs.

I'm not happy with the lettering I don't think it clicks with the drawing but, it's gone midnight and I need to sleep! This is definitely an illustration I'm going to come back to and tweak for next year.

14/02/2025

So, I'm not 100% happy with this, but I wanted to get it uploaded while it was still Valentine's day. Next time I have an idea for a holiday appropriate art-work will hopefully not be the day of said holiday!

03/02/2025

For the first time in six months, I've felt well enough to sit at my desk and work!

I was inspired by the antics of Dalscone Farm's macaw Beau, and the comments of his keeper, Craig. It took me about 6 hours spread over 2 days.

Turns out, when you already have a fatigue condition, getting COVID really messes things up. It's been about 10 months since I caught it, and I think I'm almost back to (my) normal.

I still have about a million shearing photos to edit, and that's on the to-do list!

Sorry for the delay folks.

26/07/2024

Back again, really looking forward to the next few days.

25/07/2024

I've arrived in Wales, ready for Cnefio Corwen Shears tomorrow. I'm staying at a lovely wee cottage near Melin-y-Wig, and it has this stunning rowan tree in the back garden.

Rowans are notoriously hardy & can (& often do) grow anywhere, this one is growing from inside its own former trunk, from what looks like storm damage & being cut down, & it is all the more beautiful for it. I'm sure there's some sort of metaphor in there somewhere.

24/07/2024

Apologies for the radio silence, and lack of photos from Lochearnhead. I have once again been struck by illness, meaning I entirely missed the Great Yorkshire, and I'm currently missing the Royal Welsh, which I am absolutely gutted about.

However! Come hell or highwater I will be at Cnefio Corwen Shears, I have a lovely cottage very close to Rhug, and I'm very excited about returning.

29/06/2024

At Lochearnhead for the Scottish Blackface shearing championships. A very early start today, and a whole day of shearing ahead.

27/06/2024

Lesmahagow Speed Shear photos are up! The photos from the next day's shearing will be up soon, I'm 3 weeks behind due to catching COVID at Lesmahagow, and I'm off up to Lochearnhead tomorrow!

27/06/2024

09/05/2024

This year I'll be attending some shows for certain to photograph the shearing, others are a possibility:

MAY
- 25th Lesmahagow show
- 29th/30th Staffordshire County show

JUNE
- 7th/8th Cneifio Llysfasi Shears, Ruthin, Denbigshire. (MAYBE)
- 14th-16th Three Counties Show, Malvern. (MAYBE)
- 20th-23rd Royal Highland
- 29th Lochearnhead Shears

JULY
- 9th-12th Great Yorkshire
- 22nd-25th Royal Welsh, Builth Wells
- 26th - 29th Cneifio Corwen Shears, Corwen

AUGUST
- 1st Burwarton Show, Shropshire (MAYBE)
- 2nd Cneifio Bro Ddyfi, Llanbrynmair, Powys (MAYBE)
- 3rd Owestry show (MAYBE)
- 6th Cneifio Bont Shears, Pafiliwn Pontrhydfendigaid (MAYBE)
- 10th Llanfyllin (MAYBE)