Eristalis began in 2018 with drones, but the journey from aerial surveys and photogrammetry to creative photography, digital artwork and personalised products wasn't exactly mapped out. In 2020, I started documenting the local harvest and countryside from the air. That sparked a deeper interest in photography, image editing and graphic design. During lockdown, I began teaching myself Photoshop, Lightroom and Illustrator. What started as a practical exercise to keep busy in furlough quickly became another creative obsession.
The name? Eristalis is the scientific name for large genus of hoverflies, and Eristalis tenax is the scientific name of a particular common hoverfly called the 'drone fly'. With a background spanning more than 30 years in pests, technical, and field biology, and a love of drone technology, it seemed an appropriate fit. The name stuck, and so did the idea.
By 2021, photography and Illustrator artwork had found their way onto mugs. One thing led to another, and before long I was exploring sublimation printing, clothing, logo design and other ways to turn digital ideas into something tangible. Since then, the collection of creative pursuits has continued to grow. Personalised products, badge making, vector artwork and technical pen-plotter drawings have joined the mix, with plenty more ideas waiting in the wings.
So, what is Eristalis tenax? A little photography, a little design, a little printing, and a willingness to explore what else is possible.
I enjoy working with other people's ideas, experimenting with different techniques and finding ways to bring a concept to life. Sometimes that means a photograph, a personalised gift; sometimes it's artwork, clothing, charity work, promotional merchandise or something a little more unusual. There isn't one particular niche, and that's rather the point. I like variety, learning new skills and seeing what can be made when creativity meets a practical approach. If there's an interesting idea to explore, there's a good chance I'll want to see what can be done with it.
Making things because I enjoy making things. Eristalis tenax exists because making things is enjoyable — and that enjoyment is what keeps the ideas coming. I'm not particularly interested in chasing trends or building an empire. I'd much rather be exploring a new technique, experimenting with an idea or helping someone turn a passing thought into something tangible. If a project lets me learn something new, solve a problem or make someone genuinely happy with the result, that's a pretty good outcome in my book.
Of course, materials and equipment don't pay for themselves (although that would be nice!), so Eristalis tenax gives these creative adventures a practical purpose too. But ultimately, it's about enjoying the process, making interesting things and seeing where the next idea leads.
Have an idea? Whether you know exactly what you're looking for or just have a rough idea you'd like to explore, get in touch.Sometimes the best projects start with a simple question: “I wonder if we could…?”
