Artist Illustrator. Wildlife conservation. Amphibian, reptile, bird & dragon fan.
Art and work
I work part time for my local authority’s Environment Group by day, drawing and painting at night, or on the other days. Trying to paint more whilst juggling family commitments and helping to run our village green group. I have created artworks to raise awareness of wildlife and their conservation, and also fundraise for wildlife charities. I try to capture the beauty of our wildlife and natural world, and bring a little fun to my animal characters. You can find these at my MabelArt shop on Etsy and my MabelArt Teemill shop.
Background
I feel privileged to call South Devon home, where I was born and raised, and am happy to have settled back home. Since graduating many moons ago with a BSc Zoology and MSc Conservation, I have been fortunate to have been able to volunteer, work and travel to some amazing places in the world. I spent a year in the Costa Rica working with sea turtles on the coast, for various turtle charities, and bird guided in the rainforest. I surveyed farmland birds for BirdWatch Ireland and saw and heard the elusive corncrake. I have also worked as an ecologist and countryside ranger in England; and worked for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in wonderful Wales and South West England. I have family roots in Hong Kong and I am always trying to learn more about this side of my cultural heritage. My Chinese language and cooking skills need a LOT of improvement! I draw on all these rich experiences to inform my artwork.
Artwork to date
2021 Winner of the WWF-UK Attenborough Film ‘Just Imagine‘ art competition.
2020-21 Dragons in the Hills projects for ARG UK. Logo artwork and artwork for report and certificates, and tote bags.
2019 Adders are Amazing project for ARG UK. Artwork for report and certificates.
2018 “What’s in your pond” logo artwork. The project is run by the National Museums Northern Ireland ; funded by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency; and run in partnership with The Herpetological Society of Ireland, ARG UK, and Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.
2014 educational materials for Amphibian and Reptile Groups UK (ARGUK) Character illustrations for species information sheets, colouring sheets and stickers/badges.
2011 and 2012 Christmas card designs which also raised money for the Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group.
2011 two wall murals commissioned by the Chestnut and Countess Wear Children’s Centres in Exeter.
2006, 2007 and 2008 The Birdwatcher’s Yearbook and Diary, Buckingham Press.
2005 The Birds of Inishbofin Connemara by Tim Gordon, Inishbofin Development Company.
I have also produced a range of greater horsehoe bat products, and am donating a proportion of the profits to the Bat Conservation Trust.
I have had the pleasure of creating artworks on commission; paintings as gifts for friends and colleagues. Please get in touch via my contacts page if you are interested in commissioning an artwork.
You will find more information and updates on my @mabelart.devon Facebook and Instagram accounts, see links above. I hope you will browse and enjoy viewing my artwork.