Artist Statement

Through my work, I aim to inspire a greater appreciation and respect for wildlife. I use my art to portray the personality and behaviour of animals, encouraging the viewer to connect with them on a more personal level. I explore different artistic styles and techniques, choosing whatever approach best suits the feeling or idea I want to express.

I blend acrylics and soft pastels to create mixed media pieces that capture the vitality and spirit of the animals I paint. At times I use a pop art approach with bright colours and bold layouts, while other works are created in oils with a more relaxed, painterly finish. Although my techniques vary, my creative process is driven by a consistent passion for raising awareness of endangered species and the challenges they face.

Exhibitions

2026 – Solo Exhibition, Wild Reflections, The Market Gallery Ashton

2025 – Group Exhibition, Open 2025, Bury Art Museum

2025 – Solo Exhibition, Untamed Art, Stockport

2025 – Group Exhibition, Association Of Animal Artists, The Station Richmond

2025 – Group Exhibition, Association Of Animal Artists, The Rose Paterson Art Gallery Shropshire

2024 – Solo Exhibition, Wildlife Unleashed, Stockport

2024 – Group Exhibition, The Oldham Open 2024, Gallery Oldham

2024 – Group Exhibition, Lancaster Art Fair, The Storey Lancaster

2023 – Group Exhibition, Open 2023, Bury Art Museum

2023 – Solo Exhibition, Wild Encounters, Stockport

2022 – Group Exhibition, Buy Art Exhibition 2022, Aire Place Studio Leeds

2022 – Group Exhibition, The Oldham Open 2022, Gallery Oldham

2022 – Group Exhibition, Cheetah The Movie, Canon Place London 

 2022 – Group Exhibition, Manchester Open Exhibition 2022, Home Gallery Manchester

Awards

2023 – Shortlisted, Zanna Fridge Awards, Zanna Art Magazine, for Minnie

2022 – Shortlisted, Zanna Fridge Awards, Zanna Art Magazine, for What Big Teeth You Have

2022 – Finalist, Artists Of The Year 2022, Supporting All Artists, for Pigeon Party & What Big Teeth You Have

2022 – Gone Bad Award Winner, Zanna Fridge Awards, Zanna Art Magazine, for Rainbow Raptor

2021 – Runner Up, Selected for the Conservation Collection, Sketch For Survival initiative for Fading Ailurus Fulgens

2021 – Shortlisted, Zanna Fridge Awards, Zanna Art Magazine, for Pride Cows 

Commissions

2024 – Waddle Of Worcester & Wild In Art, “Starlit Journey” , water based paints on carbon fibre penguin sculpture, Worcester

2024 – March Of The Elephants & Wild In Art, “Cheesy Does It” , water based paints on carbon fibre elephant sculpture, Lichfield

2023 – Stockport Bid, “Spoke” , water based paints on carbon fibre frog sculpture, Stockport

Press

2025 – Gemma Carter, “Oldham Art Fair debuts with strong local talent”, Saddleworth Independent, 21st November 2025

2025 – Ian Wolstenholme, Radio Interview (from 9min) , Oldham Community Radio, 17th November 2025

2024 – Alasdair Perry, “Merseyway’s Pop Up shop to be transformed into art exhibition this October”, Stockport Nub News, 30th September 2024

2024 – Community Repaint, “p-p-p-p-pick up a RePainted Penguin”, Community Repaint, 24th July 2024

2023 – Joe Yates, “Oldham artist has taken inspiration from Chester Zoo”, The Oldham Times, 25th October 2023

2023 – Gemma Carter, “Oldham artist’s debut exhibition inspired by animals”, Saddleworth Independent, 19th October 2023

Professional Roles & Memberships

Vice Chair:The Friends of Gallery Oldham (2026–present)

Lead organiser: GO! Artists – Oldham Art Fair (2025-present)

Member: Society for All Artists

Member: Association of Animal Artists

Friend of MAFA: Manchester Academy of Fine Arts

More information on exhibitions and events can be found here.