Retirement is a natural part of life, even in the vibrant world of art and the Crabby Creatures. Every artist reaches a point where it's essential to close a chapter and make room for new inspirations. Space is something I have been considering a lot with my artwork but it's also space and freedom to create new things and explore different directions. Recently,18 of my Crabby Creatures made the decision to retire, marking a bittersweet moment for both myself and their loyal fans. With these prints now out of circulation, it’s a time to reflect on the reasons behind this transition and its significance in an artist's journey. Oh and grab youself one of the last remaining prints!

Why did the 18 Crabby Creatures decided to retire? This unique collection, known for its quirky designs and playful takes on human emotions, has captured the hearts of fans for years. According to a recent survey, collectors found these animals brought them a smile on a tough day or they reminded them that everyone can have a bad day, get angry, get emotional and thats fine. Even for Harry the grumpy Hedgehog.
However, being an artist means understanding that growth often requires moving on. The 18 Crabby Creatures were not just fun paintings and prints; they represented a particular time and mindset for me. These were some of the first I ever painted and have served me well at every craft market, through mental health issues, counselling and all the way through to owning my own gallery! Each character, bursting with personality, served as a snapshot of an emotion or feeling I had at that point in time. Yet like all creations, they must evolve or make way for new ideas, allowing the you to explore fresh themes and concepts. I feel I can't lean on them forever and they have done their duty, with them retired it will push me even more to create new ones.
Embracing Change
Change is a part of life that comes in various forms. For artists, letting go can lead to renewed inspiration. Retirement of older designs offers a chance for creative renewal. Embracing change doesn’t mean disregarding the past; instead, it involves honoring it while recognizing that every phase has its purpose. I feel my ability and style has come on since some of these were painted and I have plenty more Crabby Creatures to come. It does feel like a chapter of my life, all these designs were done over about a 5 year period. Since deciding to go back to the Crabby Creatures I have painted 20 in the last 6 months. They seem to come in phases, chapters and each set is almost its book. The first book has retired and the second book has just been released. Talking about books, there will be more news on that front this year!
Retiring these prints adds an interesting layer to things. Limited editions create exclusivity and can significantly increase both their worth and appeal. A lot of these prints were open runs but now they have been capped, whatever is out there is out there. Collectors often seek pieces that are no longer produced, and this trend shows that rare items can appreciate in value—sometimes up to 30% over the course of a few years. While the 18 Crabby Creatures may no longer be available for purchase (except a handful already printed) they will continue to bring joy to those fortunate enough to own them. I truely hope one day they will not only give emotional value to you but also a financial one.

The Creative Process
Every artist has a unique creative process that evolves over time. The inspiration behind the 18 Crabby Creatures came from a desire to experiment with darker elements and show feelings and emotions in a more unique way. However, as artists mature, their techniques, styles, and themes inevitably shift. By stepping away from previous work, they open the door to new ideas and a fresh perspective on art-making. I am hoping this will push me forwards with the Crabby Creatures and I will continue to develop them and build the CrabbyVerse. It feels as if their universe is about to expand dramatically and I need space (there's that word again) to bring in new things, new stock and new ideas.
The retirement of the 18 Crabby Creatures signifies a conscious choice to prioritise growth over comfort. This bold step speaks volumes about my commitment to my craft. By letting go of familiar works, it clears the path for new adventures in creativity. I'm actualy nervous! That's mad isn't it, but I guess they have kind of been there through all the trasitions and life over the last 5 years. I know some of them sell well.... very well and I could almost rely on them to support me.
While we may not know the exact themes that will come next, there's potential for further explorations into visualising feelings and emotions, using a variety of different animals to connect with you guys and gals. Whatever the direction may be, this retirement serves as a milestone in the mine and the Carbby Creatures evolution.
Celebrating the Legacy of the Crabby Creatures
As these Creatures exit the collection, their spirit will continue to resonate. These prints have adorned homes, downstairs loo's!, and galleries, filling spaces with colourful and well a rather grumpy tone.
I am hoping this retirement can foster deeper community engagement among fans. I would love for collectors to share stories about where the prints now hang, their personal connections to the art, and the joy these pieces have brought into their lives. By sharing their experiences, the stories surrounding the prints will live on, even as production ceases. Fell free to comment below!

Moving On and Creating Space
Retirement is a necessary step that allows artists to make room for new projects and ideas. This act takes courage and reflects self-awareness. It's been very difficult over the last few months to decide to niche down on the Crabby Creatures and park my abstract figurative work but it was a choice I felt I had to make. To now trim down the availablitly of the prints creates space and clears the deck for new things to come. I have learned more about myself and my creative process by doing this than I did in all the years prior to making these decisions. It's been oddly hard but I have accpeted its time for change.
As the chapter closes on these 18 Crabby Creatures, new stories and characters are sure to emerge out of my work, and well they already are. Each new creation will carry lessons learned from previous works, contributing to a broader tapestry of artistic expression.
A New Chapter Awaits
Ultimately, the decision to retire the 18 Crabby Creatures from the collection highlights the importance of welcoming change in art. While saying goodbye can be challenging, this process is crucial for significant growth. These prints may no longer circulate, but their charm and fond memories will forever be treasured by those who appreciated them.
Let us celebrate the retirement of the 18 Crabby Creatures as we look forward to a wave of new creations on the horizon. Every ending leads to fresh beginnings, and art will continue to evolve, inspiring us throughout the journey.
Interested in rehoming one of the remaining prints? Use this link below. https://www.gallery-thirteen.co.uk/crabbycreatures?Category=Retired
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