RODGER MCPHAIL

You could say Rodger McPhail is the sporting artist’s sporting artist. Speak to any well-known painter of the genre, and this man’s name comes up again and again as an inspiration. Rodger is, by no means new to country life – having produced an array of work over more than three decades after first becoming known for his Shooting Times caricatures –but what is particularly interesting about his career trajectory is that he was not born or raised in the country, instead growing strong hunting and fishing links through the work he did.

How did you get into painting fieldsports subject matter?

I tend to paint the things I like. I was always fascinated by wildlife – it’s not just fishing and shooting. But my bread and butter does seem to be fieldsports these days.

You’re most known for game species but is there a particular species you are drawn to yourself?

ADVERTISEMENT

I like all animals. I’m particularly fond of woodcock and snipe, but I will draw anything!

Dscribe a day in your working life. When I’m not out shooting or fishing I’m in the studio working – all day every day. In the winter I’m off doing shoots and I love to fish in the summer.

Do you mix the two activities – shooting and art?

A lot of it is mixed – a lot of clients become friends. That’s one of the perks!

How did you come to get involved with the Famous Grouse label art? They wanted a change [to their branding] about 30 years ago and asked me to do it. It’s the one piece of work of mine everyone has seen. That’s another perk of the job – the people that you meet that you wouldn’t have otherwise, and things you get involved in. It does