Member since Thursday 1st Dec, 2011
My first memories and inspiration to paint and draw animals and wildlife began at the age of 5 when my father and I regularly went badger watching in the woods that backed onto our family home in Warwickshire. Ever since then I have been compelled to paint and draw the beauty and fragility of the amazing life on this incredible planet.
After leaving art school in the late 60s I have painted and drawn a myriad of nature subjects from the smallest of insects and flowers to enormous mountain ranges.
In the 70s I worked in a small graphic studio,was a freelance illustrator with a newspaper,and produced wildlife and animal / pet commissions,which is ongoing.In the late 80s & 90s I taught art in schools and in the late 90s I became a tutor for my local College of Further Education.
I have been featured on Cable TV and my work taken to Europe and the USA. I have held solo shows and have been featured in many exhibitions over the years.
As well as working with encaustic wax and oil pastel in my paintingsI have over the last few years re-discovered the beauty of coloured pencils,having worked with just about every media available to me.I love the sensitivity of coloured pencils and find that they give me wonderful fur and feather effects. I love exploring and encouraging others to explore this fantastic medium.
I currently hold weekly drawing and painting classes,covering a wide range of subject matter. as well as specialised courses in painting and drawing wildlife.
I also produce coloured pencil images of wolves to help raise funds for the AWS, a wolf conservation society.
I am a member of the UKCPS (United Kingdom Coloured Pencil Society), MIWAS (Marwell International Wildlife Society), TWASI (The Wildlife Art Society International), AWS, Wildlife Trusts and Friend of David Sheperd Wildlife Foundation.I have recently been awarded a Highly Commended in WILDSCAPE MAGAZINE'S "WILDLIFE ARTIST 2012. " I received a gold citation at the TWASI Annual Wildlife Exhibition for my portrayal of animal behaviour. In 2010 I won the public vote for best in show at the UKCPS Annual Exhibition. What a great honour!
I feel that our connection to nature is important as breathing.We all rely on each other for our existance.It is for this reason that I work. I hope that my wildlife art in some small way will help and encourage others to be aware and treasure all the diverse life and habitats on earth and above it.
To all my relations
Victoria Parsons
