
Lincoln Imp On The Loose!
Saturday 3rd July saw the official launch of the much anticipated Lincoln Imp Trail throughout the city. This is the 3rd charity art trail to be brought to the city by Wild in Art and Lincoln BIG.
The Imp trail consists of 31 colourful imps, each sponsored by a local company and painted by local artists. The Imps can be found forming a trail throughout Lincoln, with one bonus Imp located in Skegness.
There are also 5 ‘Roaming’ Imps which will move among shops and businesses, peeping out from window displays across the city.
As with previous art trails, there is also a Lincoln Imp Trail Education Trail. This second trail consists of 50 1 metre tall Imps, designed and decorated by local schools.
This year’s trail aims to raise funds for the wonderful St Barnabas Hospice. A Lincolnshire charity who support adults from the point of diagnosis, including end of life care, to adults living with a life-limiting or terminal illness.

But Who Is The Lincoln Imp?
The imp design is based on the famous Lincoln Imp, which can be found inside Lincoln Cathedral. Some of you may also recognise him as being the mascot of Lincolnshire City Football Club.
Legend has it that the Imp was sent to the cathedral by the Devil, but after leaving a path of destruction was turned to stone by an angel.
The cheeky little chappie has since been embraced as a symbol of the City.

Mel Vs Imp
I was commissioned to create an Imp for the Trail back in early 2020, after another artist unfortunately couldn’t continue with their design.
As my Imp is sponsored by the Lincolnshire Society of Architects, the theme embodies famous buildings and architecture of Lincolnshire. Something I was a little apprehensive about creating at first, as I mainly draw people.
Of course, I was up for the challenge!
With the original artists’ design as a basis, I worked with my sponsor to reimagine the design. I also added in some additional buildings that they requested.
Once the design was finalised I began painting in public at the Waterside Shopping Centre. I greatly enjoy this part of the process because it helps the public understand what the trail will be about. It also allows an insight into the many hours of work that go into creating a piece of this size.
Sadly lockdown put a relatively early end to the public painting and so I had to complete my Imp at home. Luckily I managed to continue the insight into the painting process by doing Facebook live painting sessions from my kitchen.

An IMPressive Display
I’m pleased to share with you my ‘City Trail Imp’, sponsored by the Lincolnshire Society of Architects.
The design features a mini trail within itself, taking you on a journey around some recognisable sites of Lincolnshire.
Each location also includes a snippet of information which includes the name, date and architect who designed it.
My Imp can be found proudly on display (and hanging out with his student pals) at the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre (LPAC).
You can also find 2 of the Imps that I helped to create for the Education Trail on display now in Lincoln. You’ll find more clues about these if you follow me on Instagram.

Fancy Spotting Some Imps?
If you’d like to find out more about the Lincoln Imp Trail you can do so here. There’s even a handy map you can download!
The trail will run until Wednesday 8th September 2021, with a final farewell on Friday 10th September at Lincoln Castle. Here you’ll be able to see all of the Imps reunited for one last time before they go off to auction in October at Lincoln Cathedral.
Hopefully they will help to raise lots of money for such a fabulous cause.
If you’ve caught the Imp fever Fear not! You can also find a Lincoln Imp hidden in my latest Lincoln City Scene, which is available now. Contact me today for more details about my Lincoln Art and custom illustrations.