Born in 1993 I am originally from Rochdale, but after travelling much of Europe, Thailand and Australia, I have now settled down in North Wales with my partner and daughter. Currently I am the Secretary of the Association of Animal Artists, whilst also a member of ARTNorthWales, The Pastel Guild of Europe and The Wildlife Art Society International.
Art and travelling have both been great passions of mine since I was small. I studied art at GCSE level and originally moved on to study Art at A level before making an early decision, to change my career choices and study full time to work in the Travel and Tourism industry. After many years working successfully in the industry, I made a bold move to leave the country and spend some time travelling throughout Europe, Thailand and Australia. Upon my return, and during a difficult pregnancy, I decided to move back onto the path of Fine Art, my true passion, originally as a bit of art therapy. It resulted in me slowly improving my drawing/painting skills at home, to a point where I knew I wanted to take it to a professional level. .
As a professional artist, it is now my full time role, selling original paintings to collectors across the UK, Australia and US, and a whole range of limited edition prints. I do take on several commissions per year, but spaces are very limited to allow me to focus on exhibition work.
I'm proud to say that since 2023, I've been a resident artist at the stunning Artworks 2 Celf gallery in Betws-Y-Coed, North Wales and exhibit monthly at the smaller Bay Gallery which is nestled inside the Bay View Shopping Centre in Colwyn Bay.
Since emerging as a realism wildlife artist in the past 5 years, I have now taken the opportunity to use my platform to support wildlife conservation wherever possible. I support wildlife conservation and rescue centres across the world, such as the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, where I volunteered in 2017. By donating portions of my original painting sales I hope to make even the smallest amount of difference on the lives of rescued animals. Other centres I do/have supported include: The Barn Owl Trust, For Tigers, Africa Wildlife Art (Invicta WF/Tsavo Trust), RSPB, DSWF and more. Outside of my wildlife art, every now and then I will also create a new seascape painting, in which I donate a portion to the RNLI.
I'm thrilled to say that I'm the proud winner of many awards since beginning my art career, here are some of my main achievements: 2024 2nd Place in the Pastel 100 Wildlife Category - The Pastel Journal 2024 Finalist in the South Eastern Pastel Society's open "Luminosity" 2024 and 2022 Wildlife 100 Finalist in the Sketch For Survival - EAE 2023 Inaugural Chairmans Award - Association of Animal Artists 2023 Best In Show Award - Association of Animal Artists 2023 Into The Home Award - Association of Animal Artists 2022 Best In Show Award - Association of Animal Artists 2021 Runner Up Award - Association of Animal Artists Final 3 wildlife/animal category in the SAA PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS OF THE YEAR 2023 2023 Winner Pastel Guild of Europe Summer Get Dusty 2023 IAPS 42nd Exhibitor in "The Globe" 2022 Overall Winner of the All Womens International - Light Space Time Several of the monthly "Get Dusty" events with Pastel Guild of Europe 2021 Exhibitor in the Royal Society of Marine Artists I'm also pleased to have been published in several magazines and books including the SAA Paint Magazine, Art+Framing Today Magazine, Hidden Talents, the I Love Shelties books, The Pastel Journal, Scribbler Magazine, IAPS The Globe and more. If you'd like to follow my work, enquire about a commission or find out where you can purchase my originals, please follow the links below.
http://www.spwildlifeart.com sophie@spwildlifeart.com (for commission enquiries) www.facebook.com/spwildlifeart
www.instagram.com/spwildlifeart
https://africawildlifeart.com/product-category/artists/sophie-parkhill/?v=79cba1185463