My extreme close up portraits cut out any distractions, giving the viewer an intimate study of the creature portrayed. My Snowy Owl portrait captures the full intensity of the focused stare of this beautiful bird.
Acrylic on Canvas 24 inches x 24 inches. Original Artwork Available
Prints will be available soon.
The Owl…
The Owl and the Pussy-Cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat:
They took some honey, and plenty of money
Wrapped up in a five-pound note. – Edward Lear.
This wasn’t originally intended as an illustration for the famous children’s poem by Edward Lear. I have been working on a series of extreme close ups of animals, and this piece went so well with the tabby cat, it was only fitting that they should become a set. Happily, they have remained a set, as they were sold together.
Acrylics on Canvas, 8 inches by 8 inches. Original Sold.
Prints will be available soon.
Eastern mythology often refers to a red string or ribbon that connects people who are fated to be together. The idea intrigues me – these threads of fate that link us all, outside our control. Ravens are associated with omens and portents. Traditionally they are birds of mystery and trickery. So if life ever takes an unexpected spin, maybe there’s a raven playing with your ribbon of fate.
Watercolour. 32cm x 21cm
Like this? Please vote and share to let me know. This artwork is also available as a print, or on a range of designs in my store. If you would like to purchase the original painting, please contact me for more details.
‘A place among the stones’ was inspired by the ethereal beauty of our ancient land , and a piece of music of the same name, by the brilliant uilleann piper, Davy Spillane.
Storm Bringers, masters of the sky, riding the maelstrom, spreading chaos in their wake.
Watercolour and Acrylic Ink. 31cmx21cm.
Like this? Please vote and share to let me know. This artwork is also available as a print, or on a range of designs in my store. If you would like to purchase the original painting, please contact me for more details.
On a bright day, the blackest of shadows flutters across your vision and disappears into the deepest woodland. A raven-shaped hole in the very fabric of reality.
I dreamed of a raven with blue eyes holding a blue egg in its beak. When I woke up, I just knew I had to try to capture the ethereal, slightly otherworldy magical quality of that dream. Imagine a dense forest, ancient mossy green trees, a mystical quality to the light, and the raucous call of a raven. Nothing is quite as it first appears in this place. I may visit here again.
Acrylic Inks and Acrylic Gouache 24cmx34cm.
Like this? Please vote and share to let me know. This artwork is also available as a print, or on a range of designs in my store. If you would like to purchase the original painting, please contact me for more details.
I often see coots near my local fishing lake. They are normally quite shy birds, so it’s always a privilege when one lets you get close. The saying ‘Bald as a coot’ refers to their young, as the chicks have a prominent pink bald patch on the top of their heads.
Watercolour.
This is Hector, the Bateleur Eagle. I’ve been experimenting with a looser style of painting recently. I am really enjoying the flow of colours together, without the need to add every last detail.
The beautiful Black Kite is not a native species in the UK. This is a painting of Arwen, one of the birds at Kielder Water Birds of Prey Centre, in Northumberland. Arwen is quite a character who likes to steal people’s hats and fly off with them.
Many thanks to Ray and his team for letting me photograph and draw their beautiful birds. If you happen to be in the area, do go and visit.
Like this? Please vote and share to let me know. This artwork is also available as a print, or on a range of designs in my store. If you would like to purchase the original painting, please contact me for more details.
A misty morning riverbank conversation between a family of Canada Geese. I wonder what they are talking about?
Watercolour and coloured pencil.
I recently discovered a pair of ravens nesting in a semi-urban environment, quite near my house. I’ve been back to watch them several times, and they are inspiring new art. Ravens are such fascinating and magnificent birds. Here’s the first of several raven-inspired works.
Watercolour.