"Boris" 20" x 30" Oil on canvas

Well its been a long time since I updated this blog, here is Boris from Chester Zoo, a very wise character I think.

"Bashful" 20" x 24" Oil on linen

How now brown cow.  Another for the Eye on Art gallery, Indiana.

Art in the Gardens

These two painting have been selected for inclusion in this years annual Art in the Gardens at Sheffield. Its the biggest of its kind in the North and will have thousands of artworks on display over the weekend starting September 3rd, well worth a visit;o)

 "Betty" 20" x 24" oil on canvas

"Piggy in the Middle" 20" x 30" Oil on canvas

I think the biggest thing for me as an artist is capturing the personalities of the animals and making it fun.  My experiments at the moment involve simplifying the drawings and adding more colour as I think this is the natural way for me to achieve what I want.  Im quite happy with these two paintings, but I seem to contradict myself regularly so things may change in the next few months!

Wildlife Artist of the Year 2011 awards

Last night was the preview evening and award ceremony for the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year 2011.  It was a real honour to be part of this exhibition and meet such talented artists.  There were fun pieces, abstract pieces and some incredibly realistic drawings and paintings.  The winner David Filer came all the way from Zimbabwe with his very powerful drawing of an elephant and her calf.  You can view the full exhibition on line here.  One of my favourites was a drawing entitled 'Mummy's Boy' by Susan Andrews, mainly because it really made me smile.  So go have a look;o)

The exhibition also included work by David Shepherd, Mandy Shepherd and Emily lamb.  It was great to see these originals in person.   I was also thrilled to meet David, who's work I have admired for so many years, and he was nice enough to have his picture taken.  My painting of 'Kitani' sold immediately which I am delighted with, and I got to meet the lovely couple who got it too!  50% of the proceeds go to support wildlife projects worldwide, for more information please visit www.davidshepherd.org

"Eddie" 16" x 16" Oil on canvas

"Tizzy" 16" x 16" oil on canvas (SOLD)

This is a recent commission I did, please click here for more information on commissions

The Acorn Gallery

"Cheeky" 24" x 24" Oil on canvas

"Tim" 30" x 36" Oil on canvas

We decided to spend last weekend in York and I dropped these two pieces off at The Acorn Gallery.   I'd completely forgotten about the Royal wedding when I booked our room, and didn't realise we were above a pub!  Ah well good time had by all I think:o)

York is an amazing place to visit.  I guess most popular for people are the castle, Viking city and York Minster.  I really loved walking down the cobbled streets and the buildings.  Such amazing architecture.  Some buildings were built in 1300s, I'm sure others were sooner.  You can just about make out the 'lean' in this one above.

Well so much for my diet.

It was going to be a 'well behaved' weekend as I was taking part in an endurance race on Sunday, but we couldn't resist some chocolate and a trip to Bettys team rooms!

  I met a few friends on Sunday at the Wiggle Enduro 6 where we had to bike as many 6 mile cross country laps as we could in 6 hours.  My legs were like jelly, respect to the cyclists as one of the guys next to our camp boasted how he was doing a 12 hour challenge the next month!   This is us after the race with a well deserved beverage;o)