The and Artist of the Year
WISHING all entrants the best for The Natural Eye, the Society of Wildlife Artists’ annual exhibition celebrating nature. In association with
Winter Sun, Avocets by Richard Allen SWLA, winner of the 2023 Birdwatch and SWAROVSKI OPTIK Artist of the Year award.
See the December 2024 issue of Birdwatch for this year’s winner (on sale 28 November).
The winner of the 2022 Birdwatch and Swarovski Optik Artist of the Year award was Stag Rocks, Evening Light by Paul Henery – this year’s winner will be announced in the December 2023 issue of Birdwatch (on sale 23 November).
SWLA THE NATURAL EYE
61st Annual Exhibition
17th to the 27th of October 2024
Mall Galleries, The Mall, London, SW1
swla.co.uk
Harriet Mead PSWLA Calling Curlew Welded found objects
SWLA President’s Foreword
Welcome to The Natural Eye, the 61st annual exhibition of the Society of Wildlife Artists.
Much of the art on display here was inspired by time spent in the field. By watching wildlife, artists get a better understanding of their subject which translates into their work: whether it is in detailed paintings or more abstract pieces the choices made are informed by the observation.
Excellent examples of work that encapsulates this would be the collection of paintings from Wynona Legg. Wynona works in conservation and spends a lot of time in the field overseeing breeding sites of Ringed Plover. Her beautiful paintings, direct from life, show that she has a deep knowledge of the birds and their behaviours. Paul Henery is another artist who is committed to field observation. A retired Wildlife Crime Officer, in September last year Paul relocated from Northumberland to Argyll and has found inspiration from his local wildlife there. Wynona’s fieldwork and Paul’s first year in Scotland are both celebrated in the Out of the Frame Room as well as in the main exhibition.
A deep-seated understanding is also at the heart of the work of Andrew Haslen. Andrew has been living with Parkinson’s for several years, and as the symptoms progress, he has found new ways to make his art. His vibrant, expressive paintings of recent years have now been joined by equally expressive sculptures created in clay then cast into bronze.
Emerging artists are offered opportunities to develop their practice and learn skills in the field through our bursary scheme. Individual artist Juan de Souza received The Natural Eye Bursary to help fund his project drawing and observing wildlife in Argentina, and there were six recipients of bursary places on the John Busby Seabird Drawing Course. Work from Juan’s project and from the seabird course is on show in the North Galleries.
This year we have invited Chris Packham and Jim Moir to exhibit an artwork. Both are very used to communicating to an audience, so it is interesting to see how they have shared their passion for wildlife through art. They have also given an insight into their processes, which is displayed alongside the work.
As ever, we have some lovely pieces from non-members which we are pleased to include in the exhibition. Whether from a member artist, first time exhibitor or bursary winner, I hope that you enjoy exploring all the work on show.
Harriet Mead
Wynona Legg Life on the upper shore
This spring and summer, as an artist, I spent time watching a few very familiar Ringed Plover families through a different lens. Usually, these birds are at the other end of my binoculars through my working week as a conservationist, recording their progress as field notes through the season from fragile egg to feathered fledgling (if they are fortunate enough to make it that far). Sometimes alongside hopeful conversations of support. Sometimes watching with my heart in my mouth.
These birds have a tough start. To spend time here out of uniform is challenging and not something I’ve always been able to push through as an artist, but observing these birds in this way, with brush to paper, enables a means of connecting more deeply and intuitively. And what an incredible privilege that has been.
(above) A second attempt. Ink (right) A big world with bigger feet than me. Ink (opposite page) Conflicts at high tide. Mixed media
(above) Searching for Sandhoppers. Ink
These drawings were made whilst watching Ringed Plover as they raise their tiny families on a popular Norfolk beach. Quiet observations from a safe distance well away from nesting areas, a spectator of the fleeting moments of their journey as they grow in size and in courage, and the highs and the lows of watching a struggling species try to make their way in the world alongside us. The chicks, very mobile and much faster than their fragile frame would suggest, were a challenge to draw, but perhaps more so, was watching with clenched jaw and gritted teeth as the chicks navigate passing beach goers and an endless stream of beachside bustle. Me taking frequent pause breaks with my brush as the birds lay low amongst the shingle. Them, waiting for any threats to pass. A soundscape of apprehensive contact calls to signal the coast is clear broken by the bark of a dog in the heat haze.
Alongside practising as an artist, Wynona works full time for the RSPB, leading a project protecting beach nesting birds at Snettisham in North Norfolk. Her observations as both an artist and a conservationist have given her an intimate understanding of the lives of Ringed Plover and the tensions and impacts of beach recreation on their lives.
Wynona’s Ringed Plover observations will be exhibited at The Natural Eye. Finished framed work will be part of the main exhibition and a selection of her working drawings and sketches will be displayed in the Out of the Frame Room, which celebrates projects and fieldwork of member artists.
Paul Henery My Scottish Year
As I sit looking out over Loch Fyne and Knapdale with the summer sun setting towards the distant Isle of Mull I think back to how I got here. Having moved to Scotland just over a year ago it is time to reflect.
The son of a Scottish coal miner, I was born in Northumberland with two passions, wildlife and art. I pursued both of these passions over the years and then, in 1988 I joined Northumbria Police. Half of my 30-year career as a Police Officer was spent as the Force’s full time Wildlife Crime Officer.
My passion for wildlife was put to good use in the prevention and detection of wildlife crime. Raptor persecution, falcon theft, egg collecting, Badger baiting and the international trade in endangered species were all part of my daily conservation efforts. At times dealing with these horrible crimes was a personal challenge but throughout my career the antidote for me was to immerse myself in nature. It’s healing qualities were only too evident, but with every single encounter with nature comes a desire to share what I’ve seen through art.
My constant frustration was not being able to paint full time, so my aim was to become a full-time artist when I retired from the Force. In 2018 it was finally time to retire and opening an art gallery with my daughter and painting full time were at last within my reach. However, my health suddenly deteriorated, and I needed a triple heart bypass. Faced with major surgery and a long recovery period it was time to reevaluate. I decided that it was now or never to try and fulfil a lifelong dream and move to the west coast of Scotland. I had holidayed and painted there for many years and was fully aware that the wildlife and landscape are unrivalled.
I have settled in Argyll with views over Loch Fyne, Red Squirrels and Pine Martens stopping by to join the Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Crossbills, Siskins and Redpolls in the garden. Sparrowhawks and Buzzards patrol the woodland edge while Raven ‘cronk’ overhead.
Looking out of the bedroom window just after moving in I was amazed to see my first White Tailed Eagle glide by. My sketchbook was unearthed, telescope found and pages were filled with my impressions of the encounter. Since then I’ve worked with the local raptor study group at nearby Golden Eagle, Osprey and Hen Harrier nests. I can even claim distant Harbour Porpoise, Basking Shark and Otter as a garden tick. Just waiting for my first Humpback to pass by.
(above) White tailed Sea Eagle studies (previous page) Otter studies
Nowadays it’s a battle between time spent on the hills and Lochs finding and sketching lekking Black Grouse and Red Throated Diver or exploring ideas, developing themes and just experimenting in the studio. Often the weather will decide for me which kind of day it’s going to be. Truthfully the possibility of that next Otter encounter amongst the Bladderwrack and Limpets often pulls me outdoors where I fill many sketchbooks trying to capture the true essence of the living animal in its natural habitat in pencil, paint and crayon.
Paul Henery’s work from his first year in Scotland will be exhibited at The Natural Eye. Finished framed work will be part of the main exhibition and a selection of his working drawings and sketches from life will be displayed in the Out of the Frame room, which celebrates projects and fieldwork of member artists.
(above) Otter studies (previous page) Sunlit Otter, St Abb’s Head (detail). Oil on board
Andrew Haslen From Paper to Clay
Andrew is an immensely talented man. A superb draughtsman, colourist and now sculptor. His work, whether linocuts, screen prints or paintings in watercolour, oil and acrylic, is instantly recognisable. Bold immaculate brush strokes capture the essence of the bird or animal with the minimum of detail. It takes a rare talent to achieve such powerful images and the body of work resulting from his close association with hares over the years is a fine example of his ability.
I have known Andrew for forty years. Fellow artists and great friends, we meet up each week for a day in the studio together. I have watched Andrew’s work develop and change, particularly in recent years following his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. His diagnosis has been met by a humbling determination to continue to create works with the passion that has driven him to his status as one the country’s leading wildlife artists and valued member of the SWLA.
(opposite page) Bear fishing (detail). Acrylic
Andrew’s Suffolk farmhouse is surrounded by his subject matter. The grounds have been carefully crafted into a range of habitats: wetland pools, broken woodland and unsprayed grassland. This has brought a wide variety of species close to his house, thus fuelling his imagination without the rigours of travel.
As his Parkinson’s has taken hold, his work on paper has been joined by a rapid development as a sculptor. The tactile nature of working with clay gives him the ability to transfer his immense knowledge of form and movement into vibrant sculptures. The nervous energy in a crouching hare and the sublime, fluid movement of an otter, octopus in mouth and tentacles flowing along its body, are two recent additions to his burgeoning collection waiting to be cast into bronze. It is amazing to see how the sculptures are so close to his paintings. It’s as if they have leapt out of the painting into three dimensions.
Andrew, supported by his wife Meggan and his two daughters, Amie (also a talented young artist) and Cally, has stoically adapted to the changes in his condition and all the unpleasant symptoms that come with it. His talent and his family provide the strength and succour he needs to keep going and produce some extraordinary art. He is an inspiration, and I value his friendship enormously and feel sure that there will be even more phenomenal work to exhibit next year.
Jonathan Yule
(above) Hedgehog. Bronze (ed. of 9)
SWLA Seabird Drawing Course Bursary
The SWLA was delighted to award six bursary places on the John Busby Seabird Drawing Course in East Lothian. Main tutors Darren Woodhead and Nik Pollard were joined by fellow SWLA member artist Darren Rees.
‘‘...I was over the moon to be awarded the John Busby Seabird Drawing Week Bursary. Birds are a huge focus of my art practice, but I had never before dedicated a week to drawing in the field, surrounded by other artists and bird enthusiasts. I was excited by both the opportunity to expand my experience of creating art outdoors and drawing from life, to receive tuition from experts and to meet others who were interested in doing the same...’’
Victoria Rice
‘‘...On Day One I learnt that repetition was hugely helpful. The colony of kittiwakes at Dunbar Harbour offer kittiwake form in endless repeat of different positions, angles and behaviours. If one kittiwake flew off or rearranged itself, there were others shifting into similar positions nearby...’’
Teresa Kirk
‘‘...On day two of the course, we drove out to St Abb’s Head (via bacon rolls and coffee). The drama of the place was exciting; a soup bowl or melting pot of seabird sound and flight, surrounded by a sea whipped up by the storm....’’
Izzy Thomson
‘‘...Connecting to other artists was a delight. It helped to be able to share the ups and downs of creating with others on a similar journey. Drawing with a group really encouraged my focus and increased my enjoyment of each day. I found that when we were sharing our work it was always met by warmth and encouragement and an overall appreciation of each individual participant...’’
Laura Davis
‘‘...I remember one particular moment on the last day looking over the north sea at St Abb’s, scope focused on the gannets thinking - ‘I just need a moment to take this all in…’just the beauty, and the fact that a week like this existed where people would travel here, united through a love of birds and creativity and to be immersed in this beautiful natural place!...’’
Emily Bowers
‘‘...Seabird week is where I have learned the most in the least amount of time, and it has changed my practice as an artist and as a fledgling bird watcher. It is the best (and toughest) part of my summer!...’’
Emily Groves
(clockwise from top left) Izzy Thomson, Teresa Kirk, Emily Bowers, Victoria Rice, Emily Groves, Laura Davis
The Natural Eye Bursary, 2024 Juan de Souza
When I applied for The Natural Eye Bursary project, I was seeking to strengthen my artistic techniques in drawing animals in the wild. I carried out my project in The Península Valdés Protected Area, a World Heritage site in Argentina made up of six different natural reserves where Southern right whales, orcas, Magellanic penguins, elephant seals, sea lions, guanacos (a native camelid) and several species of sea and migratory birds breed. My main goal was to record, with drawing, the current state of conservation on the Península Valdés.
From January to September 2024 I visited four Península Valdés natural reserves, drawing the wildlife I encountered in my sketchbooks using graphite pencils, pen and Indian ink, markers and watercolours. Later, in my studio, I reworked some of these drawings in larger dimensions on paper, whilst maintaining the same techniques used in the field. Due to strict government restrictions in the area, I had to make some changes in my original bursary plan, although I eventually managed to negotiate to work in some of Península Valdés’ most significant habitat areas. I was able to work on pebble beaches, sandbanks, steep cliffs, semi-desert plateaus, dunes and abandoned towns where nature has recolonised over the years.
(above) Sketchbook studies (right, top) Elephant seal, pen and ink
I began this project relying on my love for nature and art, although with many doubts and questions, acknowledging that I lacked tools and maturity as an artist. As I filled sketchbooks, a few recurring thoughts guided me all the year round: to insist on new techniques, to take risks and get out of my comfort zone, to maintain consistency and cohesion in my body of work and particularly to stay loyal to my artistic intuition.
I am grateful to SWLA for supporting the evolving work process I went through this year and for the opportunity to freely experiment with drawing in an amazing natural space. There are not many wildlife artists in Argentina following the tradition of working in the field and moments of exchange with other likeminded artists are rare. What thrills me the most about my bursary experience is the opportunity to meet leading and experienced wildlife artists at this year’s The Natural Eye exhibition, to improve my artistic understanding of nature and benefit from viewing their work.
SWLA Friends
The SWLA Friends scheme was set up to encourage involvement from people who have an interest in art and the natural world. Funds raised from the Friends’ support will help to ensure that the SWLA continues to offer bursaries and opportunities for young and emerging artists and will enable the Society to explore new relationships between artists and conservation organisations. In the 30 years since its inception our Bursary scheme has awarded over 100 bursaries to artists who have needed support with a project or help with new skills and techniques for their artistic development.
Currently we offer places on the Seabird Drawing Course which is a marvellous way of mentoring artists during an intense course of field working. In addition we accept applications for The Natural Eye Bursary for proposals from individuals who need help with specific projects or skills.
The Wadden Sea Project, the Argyll Coasts Hope Spot Project and the BTO/SWLA Flight Lines Project are recent collaborations that show how artists can work with other organisations to help bring conservation and research stories to a much wider audience. With your support we can expand on these opportunities and increase our projects so that the enthusiasm, expertise and talents of our artists go even further.
Become a Friend of the SWLA and not only will you be helping to nurture artists inspired by the natural world you will also enjoy the following privileges:
1. Attend the private view of the annual exhibition and enjoy the ‘Meet the Artists’ drinks reception
2. Free entry to the annual exhibition, free catalogue, also admits a guest
3. Receive a quarterly Friends E-Newsletter via email
4. Receive a copy of Art Book One (RRP £20)
5. Friends will be entered into a ballot where a proportion of the subscriptions will be devoted to the purchase of a work from the annual exhibition. The successful Friend will be told the amount available (currently £250) and invited to select his or her work from the show
6. Opportunity to take part in studio visits of member artists
7. Receive discounts on events, workshops and courses offered by the SWLA
To become a Friend of the Society or to make a donation please visit our website swla.co.uk or email swlafriends@gmail.com
The SWLA is very grateful to Tim Baldwin for running the Friends Scheme
John Threlfall SWLA Heat and light Oil
(above) Kittie Jones SWLA Diving for Mackerel. Screen print (ed. of 17)
(opposite page) Liz Myhill SWLA Between sea and sky I. Multi-process print (ed. of 40)
Esther Tyson SWLA June Hare Oil
John Dobbs SWLA Garden Fox Oil
Nick Mackman SWLA Explorer at rest
Ceramic
Fred Gordon Walking Tiger Bronze
Matt Underwood SWLA Field edge
Woodblock print (ed. of 100)
Jane Smith SWLA Sand Martins over the corn fields Hand made screen print (ed. of 3)
(above) John Foker SWLA Stubble Crows. Oil on board
(opposite page) Ben Woodhams SWLA Cranes and Lapwings, ploughed field, early autumn. Watercolour
Richard Tratt SWLA Thistle visitors
Becky Thorley-Fox SWLA Red Admiral on a fallen apple Oil on linen
Darren Woodhead SWLA November storm over Islay, with Stoat footprints
Watercolour
Darren Rees SWLA Flanders Moss evening. Mixed media
(following page) Victoria Edwards SWLA The pool. Acylic on board
(previous page) Carry Akroyd SWLA Meadow flowers and Kite. Serigraph with crayon (ed. of 10)
(above) Stephen Page Rhino. Bronze (ed. of 9)
Simon Griffiths SWLA Little Owls High fired ceramic
Chris Rose SWLA Plovers’ roost
Federico Gemma SWLA Black-headed Gulls swimming Watercolour on paper
Brin Edwards SWLA Four Norfolk Bee-eaters
Acrylic and oil on board
Laura Andrew ASWLA Bullfinches in shade Oil on canvas
Nye Hughes SWLA Eiders and Kelp at low tide, Alterstanes, Isle of May
Watercolour
Robert Greenhalf SWLA Goldfinches and Evening Primroses Oil on board
Peter Partington SWLA Long-eared Owl - The autumn visit Oil on canvas
Dafila Scott SWLA Ravens over Carn Breseb, Pembrokeshire
Jill Moger SWLA Dwarf Tegu
Stoneware ceramic
Tara Louise Hughes House Spider Pyrography on limewood
Marco Brodde SWLA The rock and the Capercaillie Drypoint (ed. of 2)
Fiona Clucas SWLA Curlew at dusk, Heversham Marsh
Mixed media
Lisa Hooper SWLA The Moth trap Linocut (ed. of 11)
Adele Pound ASWLA Waggly Wing flies
Carbon pencil and watercolour
Tim Wootton SWLA Three thirty-five November 12th Oil on canvas panel
Richard Allen SWLA Point Clear Oystercatchers Oil
SWLA Overview
PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT
PAST-PRESIDENTS
SECRETARY
TREASURER
COUNCIL
FBA TRUSTEE
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
ENQUIRIES TO
COVER IMAGE
Harriet Mead
Bruce Pearson
Bruce Pearson, Andrew Stock
John Foker
Chris Rose
John Dobbs, Lisa Hooper, Nye Hughes, Darren Rees
Max Angus
John Foker
The Federation of British Artists: 17 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5BD
Telephone: 020 7930 6844, Registered Charity No. 328717
Rachel Lockwood SWLA Fox, sunspot. Oil on linen
For more information visit: swla.co.uk
SWLA Members
Akroyd, Carry
Allen, Richard
Angus, Max
Atkinson, Kim Bennett, David
Bibby, Nick
Binder, Adam
Brodde, Marco
Clucas, Fiona
Cole, Daniel
Derry, Nick
Dobbs, John
Dusen, Barry van Edwards, Brin
Edwards, Victoria
Foker, John
Gemma, Federico Greenhalf, Robert Griffiths, Simon
Haslen, Andrew Haste, Kendra
Hatton, John
Henery, Paul Hooper, Lisa
Hughes, Nye
Jarvis, Richard
Johnson, Richard
Jones, Kittie
Kokay, Szabolcs
Legg, Wynona
Lockwood, Rachel
Mackman, Nick
Manning, Julia
Mead, Harriet
Moger, Jill
Myhill, Liz
Neill, William
Parry, David
Partington, Peter
Pearson, Bruce
Pollard, Nik
Prickett, Bill
Proud, Alastair
Rees, Darren
Rich, Andrea
Rose, Chris
Scammell, Louise
Scott, Dafila
Sinden, Chris Smith, Jane
Stock, Andrew Sykes, Thelma Thorley-Fox, Rebecca
Threlfall, John
Tratt, Richard Turvey, Simon Tyson, Esther
Underwood, Matt
Wallbank, Christopher
Warren, Michael Woodhams, Ben Woodhead, Darren Wootton, Tim
ASSOCIATE Members
Andrew, Laura Cockwell-De Jong, Anine Mascarenhas, Melanie Pound, Adele Wang, Tianyin
Carry Akroyd SWLA
1 Meadow flowers and Kite
Serigraph with crayon (ed. of 10)
£525 (£395 u/f)
2 Meadow flowers and turbines
Serigraph (ed. of 10)
£525 (£395 u/f) 3 Pond and Willows Serigraph (ed. of 9) £950 (£750 u/f)
Seeded meadow, 10 years later
(ed. of 10)
Woodland birds
(ed. of 9) £420 (£295 u/f)
Avocet II
(ed. of 50) £165 (£125 u/f)
(ed. of 50)
£165 (£125 u/f)
Laura Andrew ASWLA 17 Bullfinches in shade
£1,900 18 Great Crested Grebe
on canvas £2,100 19 Hare on the run
on canvas £1,900 20 Kingfisher and fishes
on linen £1,400 21 Wren in Briar
£790
Max Angus SWLA 22 Chasing the tide
4 block linocut (ed. of 26)
£320 (£250 u/f)
23 Staying with Lapwings
4 block linocut (ed. of 45)
£370 (£290 u/f) 24 Water Rail
4 block linocut (ed. of 26)
£280 (£220 u/f) 25 Whistler
4 block woodcut (ed. of 45)
£280 (£220 u/f)
Casey Nadine Banwell
Cold cast bronze (ed. of 12)
£4,150
Nick Bibby SWLA
Kingfisher III Bronze (ed. of 15)
£10,950
Andrew Birch
Elegant chaos
Acrylic on canvas board
£575
Emily Bowers (Bursary winner) 29 Gannets at St Abb’s Head
Pencil and acrylic
£250
Dan Bright 30 Surface tension
Monoprint (ed. of 7)
£295 (£175 u/f)
Marco Brodde SWLA 31 Birds of the Wadden Sea marshes I
Drypoint (ed. of 2)
£750
Birds of the Wadden Sea
marshes II
Drypoint (ed. of 2)
£750
33 Common Snipe at the estuary, the Wadden Sea
Drypoint (ed. of 5)
£550
34 Dipper family
Drypoint (ed. of 5)
£550
35 Springtime Cranes
Drypoint (ed. of 5)
£550
36 The Curlews
Drypoint (ed. of 5)
£550
37 The rock and the Capercaillie
Drypoint (ed. of 2)
£650
38 We share this house, Starlings
Drypoint (ed. of 5)
£450
Rosemary Burn 39 Bumble Bee
£700
Fiona Clucas SWLA 40 Curlew at dusk, Heversham Marsh Mixed media
£1,200 41 Evening sun, Drummore Beach, Galloway
Mixed media
£525
42 Frozen moss 1
Mixed media
£525 43 Frozen moss 2 Mixed media
£525 44 Spring, Leighton Moss
Mixed media
£525 45 View to Heysham with wading birds
Mixed media
£525
46 Wading birds at low tide, Silverdale
Mixed media
£525
Anine Cockwell-De Jong ASWLA 47 Warm embrace
Stone black serpentine
£2,300 James Coe 48 Colours in the grass
£1,750 49 Downy in the snow
on linen, mounted on board
£1,450
contre-jour
£2,750 51 Plovers resting
£1,950
52 Rocks in the shallows Oil on linen, mounted on board
£2,750
Daniel Cole SWLA
53 Ringed Plover Oil
£995
Kim Coley
54 Long-tailed Tits
Ink and acrylic on board
£950
Louisa Crispin
55 Field notes 001 - Swallowtail
Butterfly
Graphite
£695
Laura Davis (Bursary winner)
56 St Abb’s
Graphite
£600
Nick Day
57 Great Spotted Woodpecker window kill
Mixed pencil over embossed cotton board
£2,500
Joris De Raedt
58 Mykinesmen
Watercolour on paper
£550
59 Puffins on Mykines
Watercolour on paper
£650
60 Rauðinúpur
Watercolour on paper
£550
Michael DiGiorgio
61 American Redstart
Watercolour
£990
62 White-throated Sparrow
Watercolour
£950
John Dobbs NEAC SWLA
63 African Wild Dog Oil
£3,000
64 Fox Oil
£1,050
65 Garden Fox Oil
£1,150
66 Great Tit Oil
£400
67 Jungle Tiger Oil
£3,500
68 Kingfisher Oil
£400
69 Robin Oil
£400
70 Wren Oil
£400
Barry van Dusen SWLA
71 Blue Jay in heavy snow
Watercolour
£375
72 Bluebird (female) and Red
Maple buds
Watercolour
£300
73 Bobolink Studies, Bar tholomew’s Cobble
Watercolour
£425
74 Fiddler Crabs, Wellfleet Bay
Watercolour
£300
75 Fowler’s Toad, Tidmarsh
Watercolour
£275
76 Harlequins riding a wave
Watercolour
£325
77 Least Sandpiper at Hammonas set
Watercolour
£350
78 Virginia Rail and young
Watercolour
£475
Brin Edwards SWLA
79 Four Norfolk Bee-eaters
Acrylic and oil on board
£1,795
80 Hawfinch and Stock Dove study
Acrylic on board
£895
81 Hawfinches, Stock Doves and Carrion Crows at Lynford
Arboretum Oil on board
£2,495
82 Memories of Skokholm
Acrylic on canvas
£1,895
83 Polo Toucan
Glazed stoneware ceramic
£1,495
84 Sparrowhawk with wild carrots
Acrylic on canvas
£1,250
85 Turnstones at Oyster Shells, Whitstable Beach
Acrylic on board
£1,895
86 Yellow-throated Toucan Oil on canvas
£1,350
Victoria Edwards SWLA
87 The pool
Acrylic on board
£950
Sandra Fernandez
88 In the Buddleja
Acrylic on paper
£425
John Foker SWLA
89 GSW in the oakwood Oil on board
£1,250
90 Red Kites Oil on board
£1,250
91 Stubble Crows Oil on board
£1,250
92 Three Snipe
Oil on board
£490
93 Willow Tits & Medlars
Oil on board
£490
Jane Gardiner
94 I am small
Etching (ed. of 30)
£160 (£125 u/f)
95 Puffinus Puffinus
Etching (ed. of 30)
£400 (£350 u/f)
Jo Garlick
96 Isle of May Seabird colonies
Pastel
£695
97 The Cleaver, St Abb’s Head
Pastel
£495
Federico Gemma SWLA
98 Black-headed Gulls swimming
Watercolour on paper
£400
99 Common Crossbill on a Spruce
Watercolour on paper
£400
100 Great Spotted Woodpecker on an Oak tree
Watercolour on paper
£420
Fred Gordon
101 Walking Tiger Bronze
£13,000
Robert Greenhalf SWLA
102 Ebbing tide, Curlews and Heron
Oil on board
£980
103 Goldfinches and Evening Primroses
Oil on board
£525
104 Lapwings and Bewick’s Swans Oil on board
£980
105 Low tide
on board
£980
106 Siskins Oil on board
£525
107 Snow Buntings, Cley Oil on board
£525
108 Spring Lapwings Oil on board
£525
109 Terns and Oystercatcher Oil on board
£525
Simon Griffiths SWLA
110 Barn Owl
High fired ceramic
£860 111 Fox
£1,950
112 Little Owls
High fired ceramic
£1,600
Emily Groves (Bursary winner)
113 Terns of May
Inktense coloured pencil and neocolour II on gessoed paper
£800
Michelle Hall
114 Holding on
Ceramic (ed. of 25)
£1,000
Amie Haslen
115 Busy day on the Elecampane
Acrylic on board
£325
116 Dragonflies & Rudd
Acrylic on board
£325
117 Gatekeeper in the meadow
Acrylic on board
£325
118 Hiding in the grass
Acrylic on board
£325
119 Peacock & Loosestrife
Acrylic on board
£325
120 Red Admiral & Mallow
Acrylic on board
£525
Andrew Haslen SWLA
121 Bear fishing
Acrylic
£2,250
122 Fox
Bronze (ed. of 9)
£6,750
123 Fox cub
Bronze (ed. of 9)
£3,750
124 Fox sleeping in the log shed
Acrylic
£2,500
125 Hare
Bronze (ed. of 9)
£4,750
126 Hedgehog
Bronze (ed. of 9)
£3,250
127 Leveret
Bronze (ed. of 9)
£3,250
128 Merganser
Acrylic
£1,750
John Hatton SWLA
129 Arctic Terns
Oil on paper
£350
130 Avocet trio
Linocut (ed. of 11)
£238 (£185 u/f)
131 Out of the blue
Linocut (ed. of 12)
£230 (£185 u/f)
132 Winter Thrushes
Linocut
£230 (£185 u/f)
Paul Henery SWLA
133 A descent of Woodpeckers Oil on canvas
£1,200
134 Atlantic Otters
Oil on board
£1,200
135 Life on the pond, Little Grebes Oil on board
£1,200
136 Skydancer Oil
£1,500
137 Sunlit Otter, St Abb’s Head Oil on board
£1,200
138 Taynish Rapids
Watercolour on paper
£500
139 The wall
Watercolour on paper
£500
140 Whinchat Oil on panel
£450
Lisa Hooper SWLA
141 Barnacle Geese ll
Reduction linocut (ed. of 19)
£380 (£300 u/f)
142 Calloos on the Peedie Sea
Reduction linocut (ed. of 13)
£390 (£325 u/f)
143 Goldies
Reduction linocut (ed. of 15)
£380 (£300 u/f)
144 Grey Heron
Reduction linocut (ed. of 13)
£500 (£420 u/f)
145 Laverock
Reduction linocut (ed. of 14)
£380 (£300 u/f)
146 Stonechats
Hand coloured linocut (ed. of 20)
£430 (£350 u/f)
147 The Moth trap
Linocut (ed. of 11)
£380 (£300 u/f)
Polly Hosp
148 Last dance
Drypoint and relief with chine
collé (ed. of 3)
£480
149 The gathering
Drypoint and relief (ed. of 5)
£545
150 Urban Fox I
Monotype (ed. of 1)
£545
151 Urban Fox II
Monotype (ed. of 1)
£545
Christine Howes
152 Winter wheatfield
Linocut (ed. of 20)
£500 (£380 u/f)
Nye Hughes SWLA
153
Arctic Tern colony, Isle of May
Watercolour
£800
154 Arctic Tern, Silverweed, and Sea
Campion
Watercolour
£675
155 Eiders and Kelp at low tide, Alterstanes, Isle of May
Watercolour
£825
156 Herring Gulls, Tarbet, Isle of May
Watercolour
£650
157 Razorbill pairs, Isle of May
Watercolour
£620
158 Resting Eiders and Purple Sandpipers, Alterstanes, Isle of May
Watercolour
£775
Tara Louise Hughes
159 House Spider Pyrography on limewood
£500
Heather Irvine
160 Leaping African Painted Dog no.31/66
Mixed media
£350
161 Lioness study
Mixed media
£325
162 Out from the Shadows
Mixed media
£650
Ken Januski
163 White-throated Sparrow at Houston Meadow V3
Japanese woodblock (ed. of 8)
£275 (£225 u/f)
164 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers at Houston Meadow V1
Japanese woodblock (ed. of 16)
£275 (£225 u/f)
Richard Jarvis SWLA
165 Blackbird and Rowan
Linocut print and watercolour (ed. of 20)
£230 (£180 u/f)
166 Goldcrests and Sloes
Linocut print and watercolour (ed. of 6)
£415 (£370 u/f)
167 Long-tailed Tits and hips
Linocut print and watercolour (ed. of 4)
£230 (£180 u/f)
168 Tufties
Linocut reduction print (ed. of 14)
£230 (£180 u/f)
Kittie Jones SWLA
169 At the edge 1
Monotype
£1,495
170 At the edge 3
Monotype
£850
171 Diving for Mackerel
Screen print (ed. of 17)
£350 (£250 u/f)
172 Gannets around the Bass
Screen print (ed. of 22)
£350 (£250 u/f)
173 Guillemot cliff Monotype
£1,495
174 Northern Gannetry
Screen print (ed. of 15)
£350 (£250 u/f)
175 Seabird cliff 6
Charcoal, ink, pastel and pencil on paper
£1,050
176 Tufted Ducks and Mute Swans
Monotype
£850
Helen Kennedy
177 Late July
Pastel pencil
£350
Teresa Kirk (Bursary winner)
178 Shag studies, Isle of May
Mixed media
£290
Wynona Legg SWLA
179 A big world with bigger feet than me
Ink
£450
180 A second attempt
Ink
£700
181 Beyond the blue rope
Mixed media
£600
182 Conflicts at high tide
Mixed media
£600
183 Finding balance
Ink
£650
184 First steps out of the scrape Ink
£600
185 Ringed Plover brood Ink
£550
186 Searching for Sandhoppers Ink
£600
Rachel Lockwood SWLA
187 Fox, sunspot Oil on linen
£1,695
188 Hare warming up Oil on board
£2,500
189 Hare, earth warmed Oil on board
£2,200
190 Seals at the point Oil
£4,995
Nick Mackman SWLA
191 Explorer at rest Ceramic
£2,750
192 Otter on haunches (3 on exhibit)
Bronze (ed. of 15)
£1,600
193 Pangolin Bronze (ed. of 9)
£7,995
Melanie Mascarenhas ASWLA
194 Grey Seal haul-out, Ynys Seiriol Oil based collagraph, monotype and chine collé
£420
195 Little Tern turn, shuffle, kick Ink, watercolour, pastel and coloured pencil
£620
196 Llurs and Ladies
Watercolour, ink, pastel and coloured pencil
£610
197 One last look Oil based monotype
£450
198 The offering Oil based lithographic print with chine collé
£495
199 View from the edge Ink, watercolour, pastel and pencil
£610
Harriet Mead PSWLA
200 Calling Curlew
Welded found objects
£2,950
201 Flying Nightjar
Welded found objects
£2,950
202 Itchy nose
Welded found objects
£2,500
203 Long-tailed Tit
Welded found objects
£1,750
204 Mattlock-backed Sea Turtle
Welded found objects
£4,500
Stephen Message
205 Pomarine Skua migration
Acrylic
£1,400
206 Sanderling pair
Acrylic
£2,400
207 Spoonbills & Avocets
Watercolour
£600
Rosmond Kinsey Milner
208 Brown Hare
Liquid charcoal, liquid chalk, and gouache on linen board
£350
Jill Moger SWLA
209 Dwarf Tegu Stoneware ceramic
£790
210 Jackson’s Chameleon Stoneware ceramic
£490
211 White’s Tree Frog Stoneware ceramic
£295
Jim Moir
212 Calling Herring Gull
Watercolour
£3,500
Liz Myhill SWLA
213 Between sea and sky I
Multi-process print (ed. of 40)
£590 (£400 u/f)
214 Between sea and sky II
Multi-process print (ed. of 40)
£590 (£400 u/f)
215 Chaos and flight
Mixed media
£980
216 Maiden Rocks
Mixed media
£1,690
217 Whoosh!
Mixed media
£1,690
William Neill SWLA
218 Bumblebees on Apple Blossom
Watercolour
£625
219 Common Gulls on the shore
Watercolour
£675
220 Ringed Plovers
Watercolour
£675
Iain Nutting
221 Thinking Gorilla
Corten steel
£1,750
Chris Packham
222 New gang in town
Digital print with glitter and fluoro-ink (ed. of 15)
£2,250 (£1,900 u/f)
Stephen Page
223 Bison
Bronze (ed. of 9)
£6,400
224 Crow
Bronze (ed. of 9)
£4,350
225 Rhino
Bronze (ed. of 9)
£6,750
David Parry SWLA
226 Barn Owl
Watercolour
£850
227 Black Grouse
Oil on gesso
£750
228 Cheetah
Oil on gesso
£600
229 Greater Kudu
Oil on gesso
£800
230 Kittiwake
Oil on gesso
£750
231 Tawny Owl
Pencil
£750
Peter Partington SWLA
232 Cornish Choughs
Oil on canvas
£3,500
233 Eager little mouths - Swallows
feeding young
Oil on board
£990
234 House Martins
Oil on board
£1,250
235 Kite and country
Oil on canvas
£750
236 Long-eared Owl - The autumn visit
Oil on canvas
£1,500
237 Partridge and chicks
Oil on canvas
£450
238 Plunge! Diving Terns
Oil on board
£450
Barbara Pease
239 Winter sun
Multi block linocut
£375 (£255 u/f)
Christopher Perry
240 Peacock
Soft pastel
£950
Nik Pollard SWLA
241 Drawing 1
Mixed media
£550
242 Drawing 2
Mixed media
£550
243 Estuary 1
Mixed media
£850
244 Estuary 2
Mixed media
£850
Jonathan Pomroy
245 House Martin and Swift studies
Watercolour
£600
246 Lapwing alighting
Watercolour
£850
247 Red Kite near Oulston
Watercolour
£750
248 Red-throated Diver pair on Skye
Watercolour
£700
249 Swifts at dusk
Watercolour
£950
Adele Pound ASWLA
250 Aargh, sticky pollen
Carbon pencil and watercolour
£295
251 Soldier Beetles in the grass 1
Carbon pencil and watercolour
£295
252 Soldier Beetles in the grass 2
Carbon pencil and watercolour
£295
253 Unknown insect 1
Carbon pencil and watercolour
£295
254 Unknown insect 2
Carbon pencil and watercolour
£295
255 Waggly Wing flies
Carbon pencil and watercolour
£295
Lee Putman
256 Pigeon love
Watercolour, gouache, oil sticks and pencil
£500
Darren Rees SWLA
257 Blue Kites
Acrylic
£2,950
258 Blue Kites study
Acrylic
£750
259 Flanders Moss evening
Mixed media
£650
260 Going to roost, Flanders Moss
Acrylic
£2,450
261 Golden Plovers, Kinneil
Watercolour
£325
262 Mt Moran, end of day
Acrylic
£650
263 Pied Flycatcher
Watercolour
£325
264 Snow Geese lift off
Acrylic
£950
Gail Reid
265 HermAphrodites II
Pencil and white acrylic highlights on heavyweight toned paper
£580
Stephen Rew
266 Octopus on cube
Bronze
£2,250
Sarah Rhiannon
267 Symbiosis Oil
£250
268 Wild gaze
Charcoal willow sticks
£250
Victoria Rice (Bursary winner)
269 Seabird colonies, St Abb’s Head
Ink, watercolour ink, colour pencil, charcoal, watercolour wax crayons
£350
Derek Robertson
270 Dancing with the soldier
Watercolour
£1,495
271 Seahorses and Zosteria
Watercolour
£890
272 Sunbirds, dark blossoms
Watercolour
£890
Chris Rose SWLA
273 Plovers’ roost Oil
£6,000
Will Rose
274 Black Woodpecker at Wild Finca
Digital print created from animation
£225
275
Hunting Goshawk at Wild Finca
Digital print created from animation
£225
276 Melodious Warbler at Wild Finca
Digital print created from animation
£225
277 Wild Finca
Digital print created from animation
£225
Louise Scammell SWLA
278 ‘Curious’ Curled Octopus, Loch
Melfort (Hope Spot)
Monotype print
£485
279 ‘Escape’ Curled Octopus, Loch
Melfort (Hope Spot) Monotype
£485
280 Feeding frenzy at South Haven
Mokulito (wood lithograph) and monotype (ed. of 6)
£495 (£325 u/f)
281 ‘Observing’ Curled Octopus, Loch Melfort (Hope Spot) Monotype
£485
Dafila Scott SWLA
282 A shoal in the shallows Oil
£2,700
283 Choughs, Pembrokeshire Oil
£2,500
284 Gentoo Penguins, Antarctic peninsula Pastel
£880
285 Pembrokeshire coast, summer and Buzzard Oil
£2,200
286 Pembrokeshire coast, summer and Swallows Oil
£2,200
287 Ravens over Carn Breseb, Pembrokeshire Oil
£2,700
288 The first iceberg and Antarctic Terns Oil
£2,500
Chris Sinden SWLA
289 Colony 1
Linocut (ed. of 23)
£325
290 Colony 2
Linocut (ed. of 25)
£325
291 Moonlight patrol
Linocut (ed. of 30)
£145 (£115 u/f)
Celia Smith
292 Flight of Dunlin
Reclaimed fencing wires
£5,500
Jane Smith SWLA
293 Curled Octopus
Hand made screen print (ed. of 3)
£395
294 Sand Martins over the corn fields
Hand made screen print (ed. of 3)
£450
Felicity Starr RBA
295 A Woolacombe rock pool Oil on canvas
£500
Andrew Stock PPSWLA
296 Sloppy seas Oil
£3,250
297 Spring arrivals Oil
£6,250
Rachel Taylor
298 Black Grouse
Stained glass, steel, slate block
£4,890
299 Snow Bunting II
Stained glass, steel, marble block
£2,650
Alexandra Telgmann
300 Golden ocean reflection - Dolphin Oil and 24ct gold leaf on aluminium panel
£4,100
Andrew Tewson
301 Kingfisher Oil on board
£995
Izzy Thomson (Bursary winner)
302 Isle of May Oil on Yupo paper
£400
Becky Thorley-Fox SWLA
303 Juvenile Black-headed Gull peering into the Lagoon Oil on linen
£525
304 Long-tailed Tit in the tall Ash Tree Oil on linen
£795
305 Red Admiral on a fallen apple Oil on linen
£445
306 Red Admiral on a fallen apple II Oil on linen
£445
307 Sandwich Tern colony, Cemlyn Oil on linen
£525
308 Stonechat on the tree top Oil on linen
£795
309 Swallow on the sludgigator Oil on linen
£895
310 Terns back and forth, Cemlyn Bay Oil on linen
£1,750
John Threlfall SWLA
311 Heat and light Oil
£580
312 Lion portrait Oil
£440
313 Moorhen and chicks
£480
314 Peregrine
£780
315 Stalking Heron
£440
316 White-tailed Eagle
£940
Richard Tratt SWLA
317 Clouded Yellow and Chalkhill Blues Oil
£695
318 Common Blues and Dark Green Fritillary Oil
£695
319 Painted Lady and Brimstone Oil
£695
320 Pearl Bordered Fritillaries Oil
£545
321 Small Tortoiseshell and Marbled White Oil
£545
322 The Grayling Oil
£495
323 Thistle visitors Oil
£750
Simon Turvey SWLA
324 Barn Owl Oil on board
£765
325 Grey Seals - mother and pup Oil on board
£845
326 Heron Oil on board
£1,465
327 Quartering the meadow Oil on board
£975
328 Red Fox Oil on board
£975
329 White Storks - Belgium Oil on board
£865
Esther Tyson SWLA 330 Alert Oil
£650
331 House Sparrow in Hedgerow 2 Oil
£500
332 House Sparrow in the Hedgerow Oil
£500
333 June Hare Oil
£895
334 Lapwing on nest Oil
£650
335 Look-out, Goldfinch Oil
£650
336 Winter Bullfinch Oil
£2,950
337 Young Wren Oil
£500
Matt Underwood SWLA
338 Field edge
Woodblock print (ed. of 100)
£400
339 Hill Hare
Woodblock print (ed. of 100)
£550
340 May
Woodblock print (ed. of 100)
£400
Tally Walker Warne
341 A bigger slug
Ceramic stoneware
£350
Christopher Wallbank SWLA
342 Mirror Calm, Nuuk, Greenland
Screenprint (ed. of 11)
£350 (£185 u/f)
Tianyin Wang ASWLA
343 Do Re Mi VI
Charcoal on paper
£900
344 Two Circles
Charcoal on paper
£920
345 White wall
Charcoal on paper
£480
Michael Warren SWLA
346 Grasshopper Warbler & Hummingbird Hawkmoth
Watercolour
£475
347 Kingfisher
Watercolour
£675
348 Langford Lowfields
Watercolour
£2,500
349 Pintail, Teal, Snipe & Reed Bunting
Watercolour
£2,500
350 Redshank
Watercolour
£575
351 Reed Buntings
Watercolour
£750
352 Ruffs & Ringed Plovers
Watercolour
£1,250
353 Sedge Warbler
Watercolour
£675
Ben Woodhams SWLA
354 Cranes and Lapwings, ploughed field, early autumn
Watercolour
£1,400
355 Eider group I
Watercolour
£1,400
356 Eider group II
Watercolour
£1,400
357 Preening Black-headed Gulls I
Watercolour
£1,400
358 Preening Black-headed Gulls II
Watercolour
£995
Darren Woodhead SWLA
359 Calling Curlew and reflections
Watercolour
£1,550
360 Curlew arriving against autumnal sky
Watercolour
£8,495
361 Eider Drakes and reflections
Watercolour
£1,950
362 November storm over Islay, with Stoat footprints
Watercolour
£6,495
363 Rosehips, Red Admiral and watching Spotted Flycatcher
Watercolour
£4,750
Tim Wootton SWLA
364 Purple Sandpipers at Point of Ness, Shapinsay Oil on canvas panel
£1,850
365 Summer Wheatear Oil on canvas panel
£950
366 The gathering - Arctic Terns Oil on canvas panel
£2,250
367 Three thirty-five November 12th Oil on canvas panel
£1,950
The Natural Eye is an open exhibition and welcomes submissions from non-member artists.
For more information on how to exhibit and how to become a member of the Society, please visit swla.co.uk
The SWLA would like to thank all our sponsors and partners for their generous support.
Awards and prizes 2024
Birdwatch and Swarovski Optik Artist of the Year Award
Birdscapes Gallery ‘Conservation through Art’ Award
RSPB Award
The Swarovski Optik New Artist Award
Trymwood Studios Art Prize
The Michael Harding Oil Painting Prize
The Michael Harding Watercolour Painting Prize
Art Safari Works on Paper Award
Mall Galleries / FBA Award
Dry Red Press Award
Amie Haslen Red Admiral & Mallow Acrylic on board
