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As a child, Su watched in fascination the animals, insects
and birds around her. She adored wildlife and also thoroughly enjoyed
drawing. Throughout the following years, her love of
art and her concern for her fellow creatures has been unceasing.
Wherever
Su has travelled she has never been far from four-legged or feathered
friends. Throughout her life she has rescued and cared for a variety of
stray, sick or injured wildlife: animals, birds and reptiles. The study
of wildlife behaviour and caring for animals in order for them to be
reintroduced back into the wild, has given her much pleasure. Su's
wish, is that in some small way she has been able to reciprocate.
In
1973, at the age of eighteen, Su noticed a small advertisement in a
Nature magazine. The advertisement contained information regarding the
whaling industry and was warning that through excessive hunting,
certain species of whale were on the verge of extinction. Horrified
with the senseless and brutal manner in which these intelligent,
gentle giants of the oceans were being killed, Su contacted
the newly formed group called 'Greenpeace' and so began her journey into conservation.
In
1977, Friends of the Earth opened an office in Dorset. Having studied
Secretarial and Business Studies at college, Su offered her services
and worked for the group on a voluntary basis. Spending much of her
free time with them, she became Wildlife Coordinator, her duties
included: research, writing articles for the press and local magazines
and helping to organise meetings, events and rallies. Becoming
increasingly concerned about the environment and animal welfare, Su
learned a great deal as she typed letters and reports covering a wide
variety of subjects including: factory farming, intensive agricultural
practices, recycling, nuclear power and climate change.
Shortly after reading 'The Last Great Wild Beast' Show,
written by Bill Jordan, an RSPCA Chief Wildlife Officer and Veterinary
Surgeon, Su also became actively involved in the protest against the
use of 'wildlife in entertainment' and 'traditional' zoos.
With
many like-minded people, Su still believes that such places provide
little or no educational value, displaying only examples of extreme
stress and suffering. Totally dedicated
to the welfare and
preservation of all forms of wildlife - Su continues to work for and
support many Wildlife Conservation and Environmental groups.
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In
1981, Su was delighted when her wish to move to the country-side with
her daughter Katie, became a reality. She has since spent many blissful
hours walking through woods and across meadows. On many occasions Su
has found herself in the company of various forms of wildlife
including: deer, hares, birds and voles - sometimes these precious
encounters have been at such close quarters that she has hardly dared
to breathe.
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On one particular occasion, whilst sitting in the woods Su saw a stoat
moving her family from one den to another. The stoat, so preoccupied
with her duties, failed to notice Su's presence and continued to carry
each kitten too and fro in front of her. On another occasion, as Su sat
at the foot of a huge old beech tree, a group of 4-5 fallow deer wandered into the clearing yards
in front of her and after noting her presence, to her amazement,
continued grazing. Precious moments that she will always treasure.
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| In her spare time, Su would also draw the plants and animals around
her. Sketching and studying her surroundings, she has always enjoyed
using as reference the items collected whilst out walking. Feathers,
leaves, discarded egg shells, skulls
and bones are all included on her 'nature-table'.
Self-taught
and working from her home at the Larmer Tree Gardens, in the village of Tollard Royal, Wiltshire,
Su established a reputation as a self-employed artist. The Larmer Tree Victorian Gardens, created by General Pitt Rivers in 1880, contains a wonderful collection of ornate buildings, majestic trees and intimate arbours. Situated in the middle of Cranborne Chase and surrounded by woodland walks and stunning scenery, Su felt very
privileged
at being able to live and work in such beautiful surroundings, and still does to this day.
Concentrating on
Wildlife and Pet Portraits, she began her career in 1989 exhibiting her
work in London and galleries in the South.
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In
1994, Su was thrilled to be accepted at Bournemouth and Poole College
of Art where she studied for four years. Whenever possible during the
course she would incorporate her concern for endangered species with
her artwork and in 1998 graduated with an HND qualification in 'Natural
History Illustration'.
Whilst at college Su practised using various mediums and different artistic approaches to painting. Life drawing lessons in particular gave her the confidence to express herself more freely, and is she believes, an important exercise in the process of learning to draw.
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Lectures on the History of Art, reading about the lives, travels and
techniques of the old masters, as well as learning about modern day
artists, opened a whole new world to her. The work of Constable, Monet,
H.H. La Thangue and Durer are just a few of her favourites and she also
very much admires the work of the internationally renowned wildlife
artists: Ray Harris Ching, Robert Bateman and Carl Brenders.
Susan's love of nature is reflected in her artwork; her choice of
subjects is varied and her paintings and fine art prints can be found
in private collections throughout the U.K, the United States,
Indonesia, Saudia Arabia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and
Sweden.
Capturing the character of each subject and using a variety
of media including oil, pastel, pencil and gouache, her
illustrations are also available as greetings cards and prints.
signed by the Artist
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| 2003 |
Until
now, for an artist to have fine art prints of their own artwork to
sell, involved purchasing large quantities of each printed image from a
printing company. For Su, this was financially unviable and in 2003 she decided it was time to purchase her own Fine Art Printer. Not being technically minded, it was a huge learning curve for her and for a number of weeks her home looked like a paper mill. Buying a printer was one of the best things she could have done though and she has not looked back!
A week later, Su learned that the founder of the Orangutan Foundation, Birute
Galdikas, was giving a lecture at the Zoological Society in London. She
immediately booked her tickets for the event. Su was delighted when the Orangutan Foundation office contacted her a short while later, requesting permission to print her 'Baby Orangutan' drawing on the tickets.
Four weeks later, Susan's new printing skills were finally put to the test. The Orangutan Foundation contacted her, this time inviting her to display her artwork, new fine art prints and
greetings cards, at the Orangutan Foundation Seminar at the Zoological
Society. It was an evening Su will never forget and to top it off, she also met Birute, a lady she has admired and supported for many years.
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2004
| Having participated in bat surveys and having been interested in the welfare of bats for many years, Su became a Registered Bat Rescuer & Carer.
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In 2005, Susan was pleased to discover that Larmer Tree, her home for
many years, was once again available. In need of more studio space, she
moved back to her little Larmer Tree Flat in Tollard Royal,
Wiltshire. What was her bedroom is now her 'Studio', and her
lounge is now her little 'Larmer Tree Gallery'.
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| 2006/7/8 |
| Su had always dreamed of illustrating a book and her dream came true in
November 2006! She was thrilled to receive an email asking if she
would illustrate a book on Wolf Conservation, for Dr. Marco Musiani, Assistant Professor at Calgary University and the U.K Wolf Conservation Trust. For the following 19 months, Su worked alongside the UKWCT sketching
and drawing wolves. To have the opportunity to be at such close
quarters with wolves; whilst working to help keep wolves in the
wild - was a super and unforgettable experience. |
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| The first of two books, 'A New Era for Wolves and People' Wolf Recovery, Human
Attitudes, and Policy by Marco Musiani, Luigi Boitani, and Paul Paquet
is to be published in October 2009. |
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| 2008 |
| In
November 2008, Su received an email from the Editor of the 'Artists and
Illustrators' magazine. Along with three other artists, she was invited
to describe her journey into the world of printing. Su was delighted, and her article on the production of her Fine Art Prints and Greetings Cards was published in December 2008. |
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| A week after submitting her article, the Editor contacted Su again and
asked if she would also like to write a feature on her life as a 'Pet
Portrait Artist'. She couldn't believe it, and still can't! The article was published in the 'Artists and Illustrators' magazine - March 2009. |
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2009 |
Sadly, since the beginning of the year both Su's parents have been seriously ill. As they have both needed full time care,
Larmer Tree Studio has been unused since January and Su's artwork has been temporarily on-hold.
In March, Su received the 'Artists and Illustrators' magazine containing her three page feature, 'Perfect Pets in Pastel'.
The parcel from the postman was a super surprise. En-route to the
hospital to visit her parents she popped into a well-known newsagents annd could hardly
contain her delight at seeing her name and artwork displayed amongst
the Art Publications in the store. |
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In-between the 'tooing and froing' from hospital
and her parents home each day, Su also learned that the BBC was holding
its first ever 'Wildlife Artist of the Year' competition.
Hastily, she sent off a few artworks and in April received the splendid news that she had been selected
as a Finalist for the 'BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year'! The news was like a 'breath of fresh air' and very much appreciated.
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November 7th |
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Book launch at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust. It was a brilliant day
and the sun shone. Su met some lovely folk; old friends and new. She
was also requested to be involved in the book signing along with the
authors Marco, Denise and Alistair!!!!! .... and she still cannot
quite believe it!!! :)
Please also see Wolf Diary & Wolf Book Artwork!
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| 2010 |
May 22nd |
| My Dear Dad.....Thank you xx |
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May 31st |
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Nine days later, the launch of the 2nd Wolf book containing Su's artwork; The 'World of Wolves', New Perspectives on Ecology, Behaviour, and Management, at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust.
Many friendly faces; a sunny day but tinged with sadness. |
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October |
| New horizons! |
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| 2011 |
July |
| On July 1st, a box of 49 Pipistrelle bats was found in the middle of a field in Wiltshire. The poor little bats had been illegally removed from their roost, inside a roof, and left to perish. As a Registered Bat Carer, Su was contacted and subsequently rescued five of the little pups. The remaining pups and two female adults were rescued by other Carers. Su is looking forward to releasing her hand-reared bats during Spring 2012. |
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December |
| Over the years Su has rescued and cared for injured and orphaned bats, as well as conducting bat surveys and counts for the Bat Conservation Trust, the Dorset Wildlife Trust and the Vincent Wildlife Trust. Su is now training for her Bat Licence. Gaining her licence will enable her to help bats in many other ways too. |
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| Photos of Larmer Tree Studio & Gallery |
| Su at Home |
| Su and Conservation |
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