ABOUT
MY STORY
Messy pastels and Big Cats...
For me as an artist the draw of the natural world is irresistible. Painting wild animals in their natural environment offers an opportunity to escape this shrinking congested world, at least for now… But habitat loss threatens most of my subjects and supporting conservation is at the core of my work.
I always work in pastel, the vibrancy and immediacy suits my artistic style and impatient nature! Since becoming a mum I have less time to work but more ideas than ever. When I get to my studio it is hard to slow down, the result of this is less meticulous pictures with more original compositions, ironically just what I aspired to when I had all the time in the world!
I was born in London in 1973 and for as long as I can remember I have always loved nature. I started drawing horses at an early age. Since then I have painted a wide range of subjects although big cats have become a favourite. As an artist I am self taught and work in pastel. I am fascinated by the way light falls on a subject, while an ambition to create original compositions increasingly influences my work. I have been fortunate to sell work all over the world often in support of conservation. Art for me is a way to express my passion for wildlife and to communicate the need to protect the natural world.
WANT TO KNOW EVEN MORE ?
Legacy of Love
A couple of years ago I was invited to write about my journey as a wildlife artist in a lovely book called
AWARDS:
D.S.W.F. Wildlife artist of the year 2013
"HIGHLIFE" / READ MORE
Endangered wildlife category winner | overall runner up | David Shepherd's choice
National exhibition of Wildlife Art 2016
TUNDRA THUNDER / VGIEW ORIGINAL
Winner of the International Wildlife award
National Exhibition of Wildlife Art 2015
"RIVERBED CHALLENGE" / VIEW LINK
Winner of the International Wildlife Award
BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year 2011
EMPEROR OF EXMOOR/ VGIEW ORIGINAL
Category Winner "British Wildlife"
Fundraising with Gc watches
print run sold out at Basel, raising 27,000 swiss francs (about £18,000) for the Davis Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.
Charity auction at the Yorkshire wildlife park
Print 1 of the canvas edition auctioned for £950 at the annual Snow Ball. proceeds to various charities.
Original sold in aid of the Orangutans
"Man of the Forest" sold for £1,800 all donated to the Orangutan Land Trust who protect Borneo's rainforest.
Giving something back...
Read more about fundraising...
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Email: stellamays@me.com
Hangingroyd Lane. Hebden Bridge HX7 7DD
Brooklyn Studios, Unit 3,
Studio address:
Phone: 07919 916602