A Giraffe Above the Treetops | A Bespoke Encaustic Tile I Created for My Wife for Our 20th Wedding Anniversary
Every so often, as an artist, a commission comes along that feels unusually meaningful. For our 20th wedding anniversary, I wanted to create something truly personal for my wife. She has adored giraffes for as long as I’ve known her, so crafting a bespoke encaustic tile featuring her favourite animal felt like the most natural, loving thing I could make to thank her for her help and unwavering support.
…and because the traditional 20th anniversary gift is porcelain, an encaustic tile that’s pressed, inlaid and finished by hand felt especially fitting. It allowed me to blend tradition with artistry, symbolism with sentiment and create something that we could treasure for decades to come.
A Design Full of Possibility
One of the things I loved about creating this tile was discovering how versatile the design could be. With a simple shift in colours, the green treetops can be white clouds — giving the illusion of a giraffe with its “heed in the clouds.” *Head 🤣🏴
🌿 Jungle Version
☁️ Cloud Version
It’s amazing how a single design can carry two entirely different moods with just a change in palette. That kind of transformation is one of my favourite things about tiles designed for encaustic work.
A Tile Rooted in Love and Meaning
Giving this piece to my wife for our 20th anniversary felt incredibly special. It was a celebration of our life together, her passions and the little joys that make our relationship ours.
Encaustic tiles are lasting by nature, and I love the idea that this one will sit in our home for decades to come — a small symbol of a big love. Oh nice!
Handmade Art That Tells a Story
This tile reminded me just how powerful personalised artwork can be. Whether it’s a favourite animal, a place full of memories, or a design that speaks to someone’s spirit, bespoke tiles have the ability to capture emotion in a way that lasts.
If you’d like to create a custom tile for an anniversary, milestone or personal story of your own, I’d be honoured to help bring your ideas to life.
