Clare Parkes

I have always had a passion for art, with a lot of my childhood spent copying illustrations from Disney books or encyclopaedias.

Art was the only subject in school that truly inspired me, leading me to pursue a degree in Fine Art. During my studies, I focused on creating large-scale contemporary oil paintings, very different to what I do now!

After graduating, I got a job working as a wax figure painter at Madame Tussauds. It was during this time that I discovered my love for intricate detail and realism.

Years later, while on maternity leave in 2018, I bought my first tin of pastel pencils after being inspired by all the amazing wildlife art I saw on Instagram.

Drawing has since become a form of meditation for me and I feel really fortunate to merge my love of animals with art. With each piece I create, my goal is to establish a connection between the viewer and the animal, offering a close encounter with creatures that may otherwise be out of reach. Through many intricate pencil strokes, I strive to celebrate the diversity and beauty of wildlife, bringing to life the subtle nuances, textures, colors, and patterns that make each creature truly remarkable and unique.