What Inspired You To Draw Wild Animals?
I’ve always had a fascination with wild animals because of their beauty, ability to be perfectly designed for what they are meant to do and content to be themselves.
Most, if not all of us, have a favourite animal which we are just drawn to and I think it’s because they can represent us in some ways like the leadership of the lion, the nurturing elephant or playful panda!
What’s your favourite wild animal?
Maybe it’s an unusual one that you find difficult to get as a gift?
You can contact me if you have a specific wild animal or gift ideas and will do my best to help you.
Most wild animals are tragically under threat so I support them by adopting each one that I paint to keep our precious animals for generations to come!
Take a look under ‘Supporting Nature Conservation’ for details of my animal adoptions.
Leopard - Can a Leopard Change His Spots?
This painting was created because I have suffered from anxiety for many years during my corporate career but I didn’t even realise it at the time. I’ve been improving at managing it but sometimes it still manages me. I often wonder if this is something I can change for good, I hope so! The leopard is a bit feisty to show I will protect my peace of mind that I’ve fought hard to get back over the last few years. Do you have a similar experience or something you’d like to change?
The Tiger – Tiger’s Path to Inner Peace
After many years, I’ve finally achieved peace in accepting who I am rather than trying to be someone that others expected me to be. I don’t think I’m alone in this. I wish I could tell my young self what I have learnt on this journey rather than feel like I was fighting with my inner tiger every day for most of my life! He looks so calm and relaxed so I hope it reminds you that sometimes we have an inner struggle but be brave in following what brings you joy in life, where there’s a will, there’s a way!
The Tiger - Look Deeply Into My Eyes
The look in our eyes can tell a story that words never could. How often do we put a mask on for the world? Sometimes we need to look that bit more deeply to understand someone. On the outside, people may seem strong but we can all feel vulnerable just like the tiger who’s trying to survive. Take time to look beyond the words that people say to what they are not saying as well. A true friend can see the pain in your eyes and fake smile.
The Elephant - ‘Window Into My Soul’
I’ve always felt that everyone’s eyes are the window into our soul, especially with animals. Sometimes our eyes can tell people the truth of what we are really thinking even if the words we say are different. This is usually because we don’t feel comfortable or confident sharing our true feelings, even to those closest to us as we don’t want to worry them. With animals, they can communicate a lot with their eyes, can't they? Take time to look a little into their eyes and see what they are trying to tell you without words.
The Elephant – ‘Wise Beyond Words’
The elephant has a deep personal meaning for me as it is the favourite animal of my younger sister Angela. She is a very caring person and family means everything to her like it does to all my family. She has always loved elephants for as long as I can remember although I didn’t understand why (like I didn’t understand why I was drawn to the tiger). Reflecting back, I feel it is because Angela cares so deeply for her family and is so loyal to those she loves as well as having an inner strength. She puts her family first before herself and is completely selfless. Whenever I need advice, she is always there with very wise words that calm me down and make me feel everything is ok. I hope everyone knows someone like my sister and who’s spirit animal is the elephant. Do you know someone who also loves elephants? Maybe they are drawn to them for the same reasons as my sister because of their connection to the essence of an elephant. 
The Wolf – ‘Lone Wolf’
My husband Dean has always been fascinated by the Wolf. It is through Dean that I learnt about spirit animals because he felt so connected to them that he researched it. Dean is a very loyal family man just like the wolf being committed to his pack! He always protects and looks after us all…and there are a lot of us with at least four children (with our foster children as well) and me having my disability with my spinal fusion and slipped discs. He is a very nurturing person like the wolf with their cubs. There is something very magnetising with Dean that children just connect with him as he can meet them where they are and is a lot of fun to be with!! Dean has two sides to him, just like the wolf. One is the dedicated family man and the other is the lone wolf who needs some time and space on his own every now and again to recharge himself from the huge caring responsibilities he has. Dean has suffered from anxiety and depression since he was a teenager and it’s a daily fight for him to keep the ‘dark clouds’ from descending. I think a lot of people can relate to this particularly at the moment with the pandemic and everyone’s mental health being tested to the limits. I think lots of people wrestle within themselves and maybe it feels like a constant battle for so many reasons. This reminds me of the story of the two wolves…
Do you feel like you have two wolves inside you? Remember that you spend your whole life inside your mind, make sure it is a good place to be by feeding it with positive thoughts! Which wolf are you feeding right now?
The Lion – ‘The Heart of a Lion’
The lion is an iconic wild animal for sure and one that is instantly recognizable with his magnificent mane. This is already enough reason to include him but the main reason was because of what the lion represents as a spirit animal of strength, assertiveness, personal power and also a personal struggle within themselves.
I think we all know a lion-heart! I really wanted this collection to have a deep meaning and connection for everyone, whether that is your own favourite animal, to remind you of a loved one or to give to someone you care about because they’ve always loved them!
The world certainly needed a lot of lionhearted folk to help us through what has been the toughest 12 months due to Covid and now we need to rebuild so we need strong leaders....so the Lion is to recognize and thank all of the people that showed great courage and self-sacrifice in leading others through this pandemic whilst they were most likely finding it difficult themselves!
