I live and work at the Dovecot Studio in Edinburgh which has beautiful north light for painting and was the original home of The Dovecot Studios Tapestry workshop from 1912 -2000.  Many well known artists including Henry Moore, Eduardo Paolozzi and David Hockey came to this place to collaborate with the innovative Dovecot weavers to have their art captured in woven textiles.  

I have always been inspired by nature and have loved to draw and paint animals from as far back as I can remember. After graduating from art college I returned to what inspired me to be an artist and that was my fascination for the animal world. This passion led me to become a wildlife artist nearly 40 years ago, after fulfilling my dream to go to Africa to see its wildlife in its natural habitat and learn as much as possible from local guides, animal experts and conservationists to gain a greater understanding of my subject. Supporting conservation has always been a key motivator for my painting, but I now feel an even greater urgency to do all I can by committing 100% of my art sales to help endangered wildlife and conservation work. It would be unthinkable if the lions’ roar was no longer heard across the savannah, or the ancient elephant trails disappeared into the dust, or the wonder of countless other creatures were lost to humankind for future generations.

‘Blood Brothers with entourage’  ~ Pastel

Artist’s statement: ‘As a wildlife artist, I am keen to capture more than realism and try to reveal my subjects’ beauty, majesty, grace and dignity to pay homage to these incredible animals. I want to evoke empathy and trigger a compassion with those viewing my artwork and remind the audience of their wonder and fragile existence. My mission is to inspire others to care and cherish the creatures we share our planet with and raise awareness and vital funds for conservation wherever possible. I believe mankind will be diminished if they are lost.’

Examining an old elephants skull that had died of natural causes. 

I am truly inspired by African wildlife, particularly elephant, where I have been incredibly lucky to spend a lot of time with them in the wild. However during the last two years, with lockdown restrictions imposed on travel due to the worldwide pandemic, I have had to depend on accessing a wealth of unused source material I have gathered from previous field trips. These sketch books done while being out there and my diaries have proved invaluable and let me keep painting in my studio during these challenging times.

‘Giants’ Last Stand’ ~ Pastel

It was good to return to using soft pastels again for ‘Giants’ Last Stand’ which used to be my preferred choice of medium. I find pastel is very forgiving to use when I am concentrating on a complex composition. The baobab has been deliberately set centre stage with the elephants encircling around it. I wanted to showcase the baobab and have the family herd appear to be paying homage to a ‘saviour’. Generations of elephants have learnt that the baobabs’ bark and spongy insides provides life saving nourishment when other vegetation has gone during the harsh, testing dry season. My challenge was to attempt to depict these gentle giants protective nature, standing in solidarity with each other and alongside another ancient giant that tragically is also disappearing at an alarming rate. Hence why I chose the title, ‘Giants’ Last Stand’.

I created a similar painting where the elephant were seeking what meager shade they could find by closely encircling beneath a big Mopane tree. (There is a Giclee Signed Limited Edition  print available of ‘Shady Tree’ where all proceeds will be donated to Explorers Against Extinction).

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2022 Sketch for Survival

I am thrilled to be invited again to join a selected group of wildlife artists from across the globe for the 2022 Invitational Collection for the Sketch for Survival Exhibition/Auction, which will support a number of conservation projects across the world protecting Snow Leopard, Forest elephant, Cheetah, Wild Dog, Orangutan, savannah elephant.

For full details please go to  Projects – Explorers Against Extinction

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 Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT)

I am thrilled to be able to use my artistic abilities to support the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

100% of the sale of designated artwork will be donated to SWT

SWT embraces all measures that complement the conservation, preservation and protection of wildlife 

Born from one family’s passion for Kenya and its wilderness, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust was established more than 40 years ago and is best known for its Orphans’ Project, the first orphan rescue and rehabilitation program in the world. The SWT is a pioneering conservation organisation, dedicated to the protection of wildlife and the preservation of habitats in East Africa.

The sale of the majority of my original elephant artwork goes to support SWT

Total sale price of ‘Friend or Foe’, plus other original cheetah paintings will be donated to the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF).

I have been a great admirer of the Cheetah Conservation Fund for many years and feel privileged to be part of Laurie Marker’s team, who are committed to do all they can to help cheetah have a brighter future.

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The Born Free Foundation

I am truly humbled to be one of the wildlife artists supporting Born Free

• Born Free work to conserve and protect lions, their natural habitat, and to end any activities that exploit and negatively impact lions whether living in captivity or in the wild
• Born Free is opposed to the killing of any animal for sport or pleasure, and campaigns to ban trophy hunting and canned hunting.

100% of the sale of ‘Intensity’ & other lion paintings will be donated to Born Free. www.bornfree.org.uk 

‘Panthera leo’ ~ a mixed media portrait, is my most recent sale where the entire proceeds were donated to Born Free

Born Free helps African lion conservation, as research shows over the last 21 years 3/4 population is in decline. Currently classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List assessment. Principle causes for decline are indiscriminate retaliatory killing of lions in defense of human life and livestock, habitat loss and prey base depletion.

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David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF)

I have enormous admiration for the highly effective conservation work being achieved by DSWF across Africa and Asia.

DSWF mission to Fight, Protect, and Engage on behalf of endangered wildlife around the world is inspirational 

The total sale of the above watercolour, ‘Eagle Totem’ will be donated to DSWF. Can be found by going to Paintings and then scrolling down to Bird paintings

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Tusk Trust

Tusk’s mission is to amplify the impact of progressive conservation initiatives across Africa. 

‘Sable Silhouettes’ ~ Detail from original Watercolour 

Total sales from  ‘Sable Silhouettes’ & a number of other original artworks will also be donated to Tusk to support Habitat Protection tusk.org 

Tusk works with its project partners to find sustainable solutions to preserve critical habitats, protect endangered species, combat the illegal wildlife trade, empower local communities and promote environment education.