GIFFORDS CIRCUS
Since 2015, I have been an in-house traditional signwriter for Giffords Circus, a magical 1930s style village-green circus which tours The Cotswolds and London every summer.
Over the past twelve seasons, I have undertaken traditional signwriting, lining and design work on their wagons, lorries, on set design for their shows and one-off commissions.
Traditional Signwriting
Lining
Decorative & Set Design
Signage Design & Production
background & research
Giffords Circus’ ethos of tradition and showmanship aligns with my values and is reflected in the established working relationship between us. Working with both their branding and creatively, I am predominantly responsible for elevating their heritage vehicles - living wagons - and transport - lorries - using their iconic colour scheme of duck-egg blue and bright red to create a traditional aesthetic for the public to experience, one that is reminiscent of a 1930’s travelling circus.
the process
Working by hand using no tape, I have decorated many wagons and lorries in the twelve years I’ve worked for Giffords Circus. Some of my favourites include: signwriting landrovers and a travelling workshop to tour with ‘Waterfield’ (2026); gilding a ‘Giffords Circus’ on the original wagon before ‘Laguna Bay’ opened (2025); signwriting the tent trailers ahead of the ‘Avalon’ show (2024); recreating the giant ‘Circus Sauce’ pig logo for the ‘Les Enfants Du Paradis’ show (2023); adding scrollwork to many lorries during ‘Carpa’ (2022); ’The Bath House’ wagon painted during ‘The Hooley’ season (2021); production of signs for ‘The Flying Sauce’ (2020); the ‘Wigs, Make-Up and Sequins’ lorry, debuting in the ‘Xanadu season (2019); a ‘Candyfloss’ wagon for the ‘My Beautiful Circus’ show (2018); lining out Nell’s original 40ft showman’s wagon during the ‘Any Port in a Storm’ season (2017); a trio of Victorian mirrors for ‘The Painted Wagon’ show (2016); and a golden ’T’ for Tweedy the Clown’s costume when he was shot out of a canon in ‘Moon Songs’ (2015).
We have worked with Amy for a number of years and it is always a complete pleasure. Unquestionably, she is the best at what she does. A friendly face who works incredibly hard and efficiently to sign write our vintage circus wagons that are so important to us. Amy is flexible and understanding of our needs whilst offering her professional knowledge to get the best result. She completely understands the Giffords Circus brand and always completes pieces with perfection and beauty.
ALL PROJECTS
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