I live and work at the Dovecot Studio, in Edinburgh which was originally home to The Dovecot Studios Tapestry workshop, from 1912 – 2000.
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 spending time in Africa studying its wildlife and learning as much as possible from local guides, animal experts and conservationists.
What a privilege to be as close to an elephant that I could count its individual eyelashes, or witness a pride of lion hunting buffalo, or be watching right at the den site the excitement of a wild dog pack as they returned with full bellies to provide a feast for their pups, or being able to glide almost silently through the reed waterways and the lily lagoons in the Okavango which are home to hippo and crocodile in a dug out mokoro to see hundreds of different species of birds and hear the evocative cry of the African fish Eagle. These are just a few examples of the magical encounters I have been so very fortunate to experience and why I want to do all I can to protect this unique wildlife and its wild places for future generations.
Supporting conservation efforts has always been a key motivator for my creativity, but I now feel a greater urgency to do all I can and commit 100% of my art sales to help endangered wildlife and good conservation work. It would be unthinkable if the lions’ roar was no longer heard across the savannah, or the ancient elephant trails disappeared from view, or the wonder of countless other creatures were lost for all eternity.
I am inspired and fascinated by African wildlife, particularly elephant where I have been able to spend a lot of time studying them in the wild.
During the last two years, with the Corona virus not making it possible to travel to Africa, I have been accessing a wealth of unused source material I have gathered over many years on previous field trips. These sketch books and diaries, which I have done in situ, have kept me busy in my studio to allow my mission to support conservation to continue.
Explorers Against Extinction
2021 Sketch for Survival
I felt extremely honoured to be invited to join a selected group of wildlife artists from across the globe for the 2021 Invitational Collection for the Sketch for Survival Exhibition/Auction, which will support 21 wide ranging conservation projects across the world. A record-breaking £88,000 was raised through this event. To discover more please click on the link below to see the online exhibition and to find full details of Explorers Against Extinction’s 2021 Conservation projects.
Below is one of a pair of watercolour paintings I donated for 2021 Sketch for Survival Exhibition
‘Rhapsody’
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.
‘Storm Giver’ ~ Watercolour
‘Little Boy Blue’ ( detail) ~ Watercolour & Gouache on Elephant dung paper
100% of Sale of ‘ Storm Giver’, ‘Little Boy Blue’ & other original elephant paintings will be donated to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
These can be found by going to Paintings, & then scrolling down to Elephant paintings
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.
‘Intensity’~ original Watercolour & Gouache
‘New Generation’ ~ Watercolour & Gouache.
Total sale of these two original Big Cat paintings above, plus other lion paintings will be donated to Born Free. Available by going to Paintings and scrolling down to Big Cat Paintings
www.bornfree.org.uk
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 defence of human life and livestock, habitat loss and prey base depletion.
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.
Total sale price of ‘Cheetah Spirit’ will be donated to the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF).
plus other original cheetah paintings. These can be found by going to Paintings & scrolling down to Cheetah Paintings
‘Watch & Learn’ can also be purchased through The Wildlife Art Society International 2021 ~ 2022 Online Exhibition, where total sale will be donated to CCF. www.twasi.com
Tusk Trust
Tusk’s mission is to amplify the impact of progressive conservation initiatives across Africa.
‘Striped Maze’ ~ Detail from original Watercolour
Total sales of ‘Striped Maze’ & a number of other original artworks will also be donated to Tusk to support Habitat Protection tusk.org
available by going to Paintings and scrolling down to African Wildlife Paintings & Wild dog & Hyena Paintings
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.
David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF)
is a highly effective wildlife charity funding key conservation projects across Africa and Asia
DSWF mission is to Fight, Protect, and Engage on behalf of endangered wildlife around the world.
The Total sale of ‘Saddlebilled Stork’ will be donated to DSWF. Can be found by going to Paintings and then scrolling down to Bird paintings