SOCIETY OF WILDLIFE ARTISTS
When Will worked as an Animator and Designer in Soho on shows such as Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee, he would often pop over on my lunch break to the annual Society of Wildlife Artists exhibition at the Mall Galleries to see the incredible artwork created by some of the most talented wildlife artists in the world. Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought he would one day have something hanging on the walls!
2024 submission - asturias wild finca
Will was extremely honoured and totally surprised to be presented by the Society of wildlife artists with the mall Galleries Federation of British Artists Award 2024.
Wills affection for Wild Finca goes back to when he first collaborated with Luke Massey and Katie Stacey on their film ‘The Last song of the nightingale’ back in 2019 when they invited him to check out their new rewilding project in Asturias. They have done a wonderful job creating a superb haven for wildlife. I love that almost anything can turn up as you sit out on the mound drinking your morning coffee. That’s where I saw the black woodpecker one misty morning.
Wild Finca is also a special place as it holds a strong connection to my late Dad. Before he passed away he and my mum wanted to help Luke and Katie with their project and so made a donation to acquire some woodland that we now call Rose wood. An everlasting reminder for me of my dad and our families connection with nature .
Read more about Wills exhibition at the Mall Galleries in an interview with Leica .
Read about Will on the Wild FInca Website.
2023 submission - arsoli, italy
Wills fist submission was inspired by a hillside in Italy. Using sounds recorded in the field, he was able to create a snapshot of the view he saw when looking up at the hillside with his binoculars.
Will wasn’t sure if the SWLA would be open to animation for their exhibition. It turns out that his work is the first animation to be accepted and that is something he is very proud of.
This year, the Society of Wildlife Artists presented its 60th Annual Exhibition, The Natural Eye 2023, showcasing the very best of art inspired by the natural world. Will has always had a keen interest in wildlife and so was immensely proud to be part of this wonderful exhibition in the company of artists he's admired for many years. Inspired by a trip to Italy in July, he began to create a short animation based upon my sightings on the trip. Will had enjoyed watching Honey Buzzards, Golden Orioles and in particular, a Short-Toed Eagle. Each morning he would walk to a particular gorge to find the eagle perched on a rock waiting for the hillside to be bathed in sunshine, so that it might have a good chance of catching a basking snake.
Read more about the exhibition in his interview with Leica.