BROWSHOLME HALL

Geoff is an entirely self taught artist. He was born in Lancashire and his early working life was as a gamekeeper which seeing wildlife in its different seasons, has helped him considerably with his paintings. He finds acrylic and gouache paint are his favourite media for the detail in his work, which is his trademark. His subjects cover birds, mammals, flowers, butterflies and landscapes. Geoff's work has been published as calendars, greeting cards and postcards for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the World Wildlife Fund for Nature and many other organizations too many to mention. He has painted two sets of Royal Doulton plates for the Bradford Exchange which have sold worldwide and has over 60 prints published from his originals. His originals and prints are in collections all over the world.

A large part of Geoff's work are commissions which include dogs, horses, farmstock and so on. Geoff lives in the picturesque Roman village of Ribchester on the banks of the River Ribble in Lancashire. Callers are always welcome to view his work in his own gallery in the village, at No 64, Church St, next door but one to the White Bull.

Tele 01254 878921 Email geoff@rollart9.fsnet.co.uk

www.wgeoffrollinson.com

John Clarke

John was born in Warrington in 1968 and is entirely self-taught. As a young boy he always had a passion for nature and the countryside, spending every waking hour with a fishing rod in hand.

Later on in secondary education he was under persistent pressure from his peers to take up a place at art college, but instead decided on a career that would take him out of the town and into the countryside, finally becoming Head Keeper on a prestigious Lancashire estate.

In May 2006 John was commissioned to paint a picture for Her Majesty the Queen, which he later presented to her in celebration of her 80th birthday. This accolade has led him to pursue a full time career in art.

Working with gundogs, seeing animals and birds interacting in their natural habitat has helped him to understand and capture the essence of each subject that he paints. Working in acrylics gives him the ability to overlay paint in a very fine and detailed style, so detailed that each individual whisker and hair are painstakingly painted, producing incredibly lifelike paintings.

When undertaking a commission it is preferred that he takes his own photographs, meeting the owner at the same time giving him an insight into each animals personality, ensuring that he captures the spirit and depth of expression in each subject.

Working from his studio in the heart of Lancashire's beautiful Forest of Bowland, John also has a selection of signed limited edition prints for sale with a Bespoke picture framing service on offer.

www.johnclarkefinearts.co.uk

Helen Backhouse

Helen Backhouse studied illustration at Harrow School of Art, graduating in 1976. She has painted animal portraits ever since. Starting with family pets, she now has a national reputation and also has paintings in Australia, Japan and America. In recent years, Helen has had a "quiet time" on the art front. 25 years is a long time and she felt a change was necessary when black labradors began to haunt her! She got a part time job....now gone, and it's time to pick up the brushes again. Some other things may be on the menu now - not just animals. The examples here are old favourites; some borrowed commissions and some her own.

www.animal-portraits.co.uk

Michael Demain

Michael Demain was born in Accrington in 1957. He still lives there to this day with his wife Michelle and his children Lee and Celine. He started painting in 1992 turning professional seven years later. His style is instantly recognisable and his paintings are often mistaken for photographs. He started his career painting in Gouache (an opaque watercolour) but he feels he has taken this medium as far as he can and has recently changed over to Oil and Acrylic. In his spare time he helps the RSPB to monitor the Hen Harriers in the Bowland Fells an area close to his heart, and he admits that in the spring his work often takes a back seat as he heads for the fells.

www.michaeldemainwildlifeart.co.uk

Anne Corless

As a fine artist I produce artwork for exhibition and on commission. Figurative art and portraiture are a speciality. Animal art is a favourite...wildlife art, equestrian art and landscape rt are passions! My studies and work in medical and veterinary illustration has honed my observational drawing skills and my knowledge of anatomy of both humans and animals enables me to produce artwork that I hope looks realistic, dynamic and has feeling. Every piece of work that I produce has a narrative and I try to portray what I feel about the scene or animal I am painting. I work in all media and although I can work very large I also enjoy creating small delicate pieces of artwork. My love of wildlife comes from my many experiences seeing animals in the wild. I use my own reference for all my work, often as a starting point of an idea; the hard work then starts as I try and portray whaat I am feeling. My love of horses is why I now enjoy creating artwork of them. I look for movement, expression....something interesting to turn the artwork into something dramatic or emotive.

Cheetah on the run, 40" x 28" oil on canvas. The reference for this painting is my own and comes from spending a day watching this female and her cubs in Nairobi Game Park in Kenya. It was an unforgettable experience. For this painting I have used Michael Harding oil paints; the colours are wonderful and I feel I can achieve atmosphere and realism due to the subtleties and yet strength this paint gives me.

The Old Bull, 19" x "23, watercolour painting. When creating a wildlife painting I always work from my own reference and experiences. I came across this old bull elephant when travelling in Tsavo Game Park in Kenya and spent a wonderful few days watching him.

www.annecorless.com

Alistair Makinson

Alistair Makinson is an established sporting artist. He began painting after breaking his elbow in 1990, and quickly gained recognition for his landscape scenes. His work was noticed by the Malcolm Innes Gallery in London, who suggested he paint the salmon rivers of Scotland, and sporting landscapes. He is often commissioned to paint favourite pools on the river, drives on the shoot, along with stalking and wildlife scenes. His evocative oil paintings hang in many collections including the late H.M. The Queen Mother, and commissions have been undertaken from The Duke of Sutherland and The Duke of Roxburghe. Alistair now lives and works in the Lune Valley.

www.alistairmakinson.com

Michael F Miller

Michael’s preferred medium is oil although he also works with water colour, pastel, and pencil and enjoys fine pen drawing. Paintings of wildlife, land and seascapes and horses now join portraits to expand a versatile portfolio

For many years a member of the Wildlife Art Society and a member of the Equestrian Art Society his paintings have been exhibited at Christies, The Mall and Westminster Galleries in London and the Annual National Exhibition of Wildlife Art. Paintings have also been exhibited in London at both exhibitions of the Daily Mail ‘Not The Turner Prize’ in 2003 and 2004

In 2007 Michael won the 'Founders Award - Painting' (Best in Show) at the 2007 American Academy of Equine Art Open Exhibition in Lexington, USA

Jimmy Tulloch

I was brought up in Pwllheli - North Wales. I have been drawing and painting since childhood, my father was a sign writer so there was always pens and brushes lying around. I have had no formal art training and find some aspects of painting quite challenging which I enjoy. I have exhibited at the Mall Gallery in London, Samlesbury Hall and The Grundy in Blackpool. I will take on most subjects and am available for commission. I belong to the Society of Equestrian Artists and the Associaton of Animal Artists. Tel: 01253 763770.

www.associationanimalartists.co.uk/artists/jtullochbio.htm