Nature in Art and NEWA

Now that British Summer time has started it is time to think of all the events and exhibitions which are scattered through the next few months and two are now definite. The first will be in May at Nature in Art near Gloucester. I will be artist in residence from May 18th - 23rd with a sculptor called Wendy Hunt. So, if anyone is in the area please do visit. Nature in Art is a fantastically inspiring place for wildlife artists and enthusiasts so well worth a visit. I am looking forward to being there in early summer and enjoying some walks in the countryside.

NEWA - The National Exhibition of Wildlife Art - will run this year from July 16th -August 1st and is held at Gordale Nursery and Garden Centre in The Wirral. For details and more information visit http://www.newa-uk.com/. This exhibition has grown into one of the most prestigious wildlife art exhibitions in the UK and attracts artists from around the world. The painting of the Zebra mare and Foal pictured here will be exhibited at NEWA and will be for sale. I have been planning a companion painting of a young male Kudu to go with it as I saw both the Zebras and Kudu in the Boteti river bed. The colours of that day left a lasting impression. If time allows it would be great to paint that other picture.

Dinosaurs!

At last a chance to put something on my Blog spot. I have been illustrating dinosaurs for a children's book since Christmas and only just finished. I feel as if I have painted through winter, emerging from behind the easel as the spring arrives to start planning commissions and exhibitions. 2010 has been really busy so far but that is great!

Exhibition and Auction December 4th - 12th

I have just delivered all my paintings to the Martin's Gallery in Cheltenham for The Natural World Exhibition . See my last post below for details.

This painting of Warthogs , entitled 'Curiosity' will be in the exhibition. I painted it after a safari to Botswana when we had seen two family groups of Warthogs at a waterhole in Savuti. They are the most comical characters and such fun to watch as they trot about around the edge of the elephant herds. I love their shape and the energy in their movements and the way they carry their tails straight up in the air when scooting away from danger!

Often you see Warthogs and Guinea Fowl at a waterhole together and it is the interactions between all the different creatures as they wait to drink which really sticks in my memory from these hours spent watching the wildlife. The little pencil drawing (above) captures one such memory. This is being donated for auction to raise funds for The Butterfly Garden. The auction will be held on December 12th at The Martin's Gallery, Cheltenham.

The Natural World Exhibition - December

I am currently preparing work for an exhibition in December.
Details are:

'The Natural World Exhibition'

4th - 12th December

in aid of The Butterfly Garden charity

a project for students with learning difficulties

opening preview Friday 4th December 6.30 - 8pm

at Martin's Gallery

Imperial House, Montpellier Parade,

Cheltenham, GL50 1UA

www.martinsgallery.co.uk

Barn Owl

I don't think there is a more popular bird than the Barn Owl. I painted this study and wanted to get that feeling of late summer evening light which casts such deep blue shadows. Sometimes in the summer, when I am leaving the stables, I see a Barn Owl, quartering a field or flying in to perch on a fence post. They are so instantly recognisable because they appear so white in flight. It is easy to see why they were once believed to be the restless spirits of the dead wandering the woodland edges. It is a real treat to see these owls and to know that the farmer whose land the bird is nesting on has had the foresight and interest in wildlife to leave some areas of wild meadow and headland undisturbed where they can hunt. Maybe with such care these beautiful owls will flourish in our countryside and become a more common sight.

Riding in West Sussex

My favourite way to get out into the countryside is on horseback and it is a great way to watch wildlife, especially deer and birds of prey. This weekend I have been riding Zennobia ( pictured) a beautiful and gentle grey Arab mare. When I am not painting I often take people hacking in the wonderful West Sussex countryside for a company called Rural Rides. West Sussex is such a pretty county of rolling Weald, graceful beech Hangers and wonderful panoramas from the chalk downland. In September the golds and reds of Autumn are slowly spreading across the landscape, hedges are heavy with fruit and the dusty tracks littered with chestnut and beech husks. It is hard to find a better way to spend the day! Fantastic horses, wonderful riding and great company. I am not sure what I love the most......... painting or riding!

Kayaking and Curlews

Paddling down the Beaulieu River last sunday in a kayak proved to be the perfect way to watch Curlews! I have only rarely seen these pretty waders with their haunting calls which are so reminiscent of windswept marshland, and here they were right on my doorstep. Drifting silently past the muddy banks and their scores of wading birds in a kayak was a wonderful experience. I will definately be trying this again but I think carrying a sketchpad or a camera might prove tricky! Like horse riding this might be one activity you just have to enjoy and remember the wildlife you encounter on the way.