From a young age, I have always felt a deep connection with animals and have endeavoured to support campaigns that fight animal cruelty wherever I can. I have always enjoyed art as well and therefore instinctively gravitated towards animal portraiture.

After gaining a couple of ‘Best in Show’ awards at a local art club exhibition many years ago, this gave me the confidence to further develop my art. I then went on to enrol on the London Art College’s Diploma in Pet Portraits course, gaining a Distinction. The course involved producing several pieces of work in graphite, coloured pencil, pastel, acrylic and oil and I learnt a great deal from the challenges that each medium brought.

These days I mostly paint with oils as I find that it suits my style. I tend to lean towards detailed realism, although I always like to add a little bit of my own artistic licence in my portraits!

I live in Essex, UK and am fortunate to be surrounded by woodland which attracts a wide variety of wildlife, including a family of badgers who live in a sett at the end of my garden. Although I love to paint many different animal species, being so close to the wildlife in my own neighbourhood is a great inspiration for my artwork.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jillgraceart