I am a contemporary nature inspired artist depicting wildlife, equestrian and canine subjects.

My work is based around the senses and emotions and has its roots firmly planted in impressionism with a dash of expressiveness using loose brushwork and energetic strokes whilst retaining the feeling of presence and place. Mainly working from my own imagination, I dabble in oils, acrylic, mixed media and charcoal for drawing using bold bright and often complimentary colours to experiment with composition and form. Movement plays a huge role in my work, the animals within it will always be ‘doing’ something, either naturally or as a metaphor for deeper meaning depending on where their journey takes me! Either way, I try to be true to each individual.

Sketching is imperative and I watch and observe wildlife in its natural state wherever possible. The work should flourish with its own life on the canvas and often does mutate as I paint and draw - whatever happens then is instinct and lends itself to a far more organic and often spontaneous artwork.

I have exhibited for many years nationally with the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art (now EWA), The Society of Wildlife Artists at the Mall Galleries, London, been a finalist at the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year for over 8 years also at the Mall Galleries and been a category winner for two years and overall winner in 2012 of BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year. Wherever possible I support conservation causes through the many animals I depict and do several 'sketchathons' (a run of quick sketches over a period of a few days) a year on my Intsagram feed @irvinearts raising funds for Painted Dogs and other endangered species.

Heather Irvine

https://www.heatherirvineartist.com

Heather Irvine - Instinctual - Special for GRI