Featured Paintings
The animals I have chosen to feature all share one thing in common. They are extremely vulnerable to or are close to extinction unless huge conservation efforts are made to save them. It is important to me to share what I know about the magnificent creatures that have inspired these paintings.

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 African Lion- Endangered

A male lions life is a brutal one, often fighting to the death, brawling with other males over territory and the right to mate with the pride females thereby ensuring the survival of their genes. Lions, symbol of power and strength are the only sociable cat species. Males form coalitions of sometimes up to six individuals but more commonly two to four. The close bonds they share ensure their success and survival even though they may not be related. Hunting as a nomadic group and roaming the African landscape they frequently challenge existing dominant males for territory and access to prides of females which can result in bloody battles.

Like many big cat species lions are also facing extreme pressure to survive due to conflict with humans and loss of habitat. Lions are also hunted as trophies by the shooting fraternity, an appalling practice that supports an industry where lions are also bred for this purpose. It is estimated that a 25% decline in lion populations can be attributed to trophy hunting.




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Blood Reign - African Lion acrylic on canvas 90cm x 90cm gallery wrapped no frame SOLD

​Lion populations have dropped dramatically in the past several decades - in 1940's 450,000 in 2013 just 32,000 - 35,000. Present populations number around 20,000 - 21,000. Lions are in serious trouble. Experts agree that they will be extinct by 2020 unless urgent intervention is taken. Imagine a world without them, I can't.

The Ghost in the Mountains - Snow Leopard acrylic and mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas 90cm x 90cm no frame SOLD

 
Snow Leopard - Endangered
​Snow leopards are found in the rugged terrain of Central Asia at altitudes of 9,800 - 17,000 feet. There habitat ranges across Afghanistan Kazakhstan and Russia in the north to India and China in the east to parts of Mongolia. It is estimated that there could be 3,000 - 7,000 of these beautiful big cats left in the wild, however exact numbers have not been determined because of the cats shy elusive nature and the inhospitable habitat they live in. Using it's powerful legs to hunt wild goat and sheep on rocky outcrops and in deep ravines this cat is capable of leaping six times it's own body length in pursuit of prey.

This painting was selected for the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year in the UK 2016 and was the winner of The Peoples Choice award.

African Elephants - Vulnerable
Elephants live in dry desert regions, rainforests and savannah in Africa preferring areas where there is plenty of food and water for their huge appetites. Growing from 3 - 6 tons these largest of herbivores are also very intelligent and sensitive forming close family bonds with other members of the all female herds. In recent times elephants have suffered unprecedented levels of poaching for their prized ivory which threatens the survival of these magnificent giants. It is estimated that as many as 20,000 - 30,000 elephants are poached every year and that if this trend is not stopped elephants could be extinct in as little as 11 - 15 years. Saying no to ivory products reduces demand and helps save elephants from this terrible fate.

African Wild Dogs - Endangered
Hunting in packs of up to 40 individuals these highly intelligent, social and prodigious hunters face a tough battle to survive because of persecution by humans, snaring and habitat loss. 

The Walk of Ages acrylic mixed media gallery wrapped canvas ​100cmx100cm POA

Silent Through the Clearing acrylic on canvas 91.5cm x 91.5cm gallery wrapped unframed SOLD

 

Amur Leopard  -  Critically Endangered

This beautiful big cat faces a bleak future due to poaching for it's stunning coat and demand for it's bones in traditional Chinese medicine. Sadly the wild population could be as few as 30 - 50 animals in it's remote habitat of the Primorsky region of Russia bordering China.

Although it resembles it's African cousin the Amur leopard has a longer coat to deal with the harsh cold Russian climate. A stealthy and solitary cat this fabulous animal also faces habitat loss and competition from humans for food. 

Females breed in spring early summer giving birth to one to four cubs that stay with their mother until they are around 2 years of age.

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Remnants of the Rainforest acrylic on board 70cm x 60cm. Original painting for sale unframed POA

Sumatran Tiger  -  Highly Endangered

On several occasions I have had the opportunity to observe these stunning big cats at very close range albeit through glass at Australia Zoo. It's quite an experience to feel as though you could almost reach out and touch such a powerful presence.

These tigers are highly endangered and at grave risk of becoming extinct. It is believed that there are less than 500 remaining in the wild. Not only do they continue to be hunted despite their high protection status, others are destroyed as their habitat comes under increasing pressure from deforestation and other human activities such as logging and palm oil plantations on the island of Sumatra Indonesia.

 ​Scottish Wildcat  -  Critically Endangered

The Scottish Wildcat is one of the most endangered wildcats in the world with less than 100 pure bred animals left in a small pocket of the Scottish Highlands. Facing almost certain extinction without urgent intervention a group was formed called the Scottish Wildcat Haven project to raise funds and awareness for this critically endangered cat.

The feisty wildcat captivated my imagination and their critically endangered status filled me with sadness. Painting the Scottish Wildcat was a great challenge not just because it was my first important wildlife painting, it also seemed necessary to immortalise this astonishing and beautiful animal in the hope of bringing about awareness and understanding of the terrible possibility they may be lost forever in only a few short years.

'Last of the Highland Tigers' Scottish Wildcat oil 61x46cm. Original painting unframed POA