Association of Animal Artists Spring 2015 Exhibition

I'm a member of the Association of Animal Artists and was absolutely delighted when one of my images was chosen to feature on the poster for the Spring 2015 exhibition.

The exhibition which is to be held at Martin Mere WWT will feature british wildlife and will run from 2nd February 2015 until 29th March 2015.

The Association was founded in 2009 and membership is by application. If you are interested in painting animals it is well worth applying as I have found it to be a friendly and dynamic society. There are at least three exhibitions planned for 2015 as well as various other 'meet ups' 

The artwork produced is always varied but of a consistently high standard, if you look at the list of artist members you can see why, many of the names will be familiar to anyone who likes animal art.

This is the link to the home page : Association of Animal Artists

Martin Mere is in Lancashire, 10 miles from Southport and well worth a visit at  if you are interested in birds.

This is the link to the home page : Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetland Trust

Finally a close up from my painting:-

Grouse Study in Mixed Media

Red Grouse Study

Mixed Media on Paper, 14 x 18 inches

Original Available, email me if interested.

I am lucky to have several areas of moorland close to home that sustain breeding populations of red grouse so that over the course of several years I have taken hundreds of reference photographs in all seasons.

I couldn't make my mind up if I wanted to do a painting or drawing so decided to go for the best of both worlds and combine the two. The main image is acrylic fading into graphite and the two small ones are graphite.

Detail from the above study.

My original idea included either one or two flying grouse but sadly I was always too slow with my camera and captured mostly tips of wings, trailing legs or no grouse at all, so a flying grouse will have to wait for another time.

As I have so many good photographs to work from I will be doing another drawing in the future, perhaps a less serious image like one taken from my reference photograph below.

Catch Up - Again

Glenspey Heavenly Star - 'Roxie'

23/09/2006 - 31/10/2014

We had to say goodbye to Roxie or as she was known to the family 'little foxley' last week. It was totally unexpected and we are still in shock.

On a happier note Xena is now eight months old and although she is the naughtiest puppy we've ever owned she is a complete delight to live with.   

                                                                                    

I've not completed many pictures over the summer but I did add to my series of big cats drawn in graphite, the latest one is an amur tiger.

   'Best Foot Forward'

Graphite on Paper, approximately 17.5 x 11inches

Original available from the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery, London

More to follow:-