Sarais Crawshaw
Wildlife and wild places have fascinated me since childhood.
After teaching art at secondary school until 1983, I now work as a full-time artist, with acrylic paint or pastels preferred.
I am particularly inspired by cats of all sizes, and many of these are found in my work.
Most of my work is based on my love of British wildlife, and I spend time in the countryside surrounding my home, or in the wilder areas of Wales, Northumberland and Scotland, gathering reference for my work back at the studio.
I make quick field sketches, use a camcorder and camera, and try to observe, and later depict the animals in their natural habitat.
I exhibit regularly throughout Britain, & give talks, demonstrations and workshops.
My pictures are used by Greetings Cards publishers, and I have illustrated several features for BBC Wildlife Magazine.
In 2010 I plan to exhibit in joint exhibitions at a variety of venues both local and national - including the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art in Cheshire,with The Society of Feline Artists at The Llewellyn Alexander Gallery in London,and with The Wildlife Art Society International at both Port Lympne Wild Animal Park and "Nature in Art", Wallsworth Hall, Gloucestershire.
I shall be taking part in this year's Warwickshire Artsweek by opening my studio to visitors during three weekends in July - 3rd/4th,10th/11th, 17th/18th,each day from 11am -4pm. Visitors will be able to see a wide range of my work , and watch me demonstrating on the latest piece.
Together with three other friends, I shall again be exhibiting in Dunchurch near Rugby on the weekend of 30th/31st October.
We hope to interest visitors by demonstrating in our various styles during the exhibition, and will also have delicious teas and cakes available!
My local Art Society, the Rugby & District,will be putting on several joint exhibitions around Rugby, which I shall also be entering work for.
This year I hope to spend plenty of time out in the field, concentrating on British Wildlife, and hope that the weather will be kind!
I am planning visits to various places to watch Red Kites amongst many other birds, and hope to be able to find reference of nesting and other behaviour to picture. Hopefully some will also involve water, which I find fascinating to paint.
This last severe winter has provided me with plenty of material, and I am currently working on a group of paintings looking at the effects of winter on our wildlife.
Email me if you would like further details.
I give daytime or evening talks and demonstrations to Art Societies.
This usually involves a Pastel Demonstration, but I can also demonstrate in Acrylics , or in other drawing media, particularly Colour Pencils of all types.
In a Workshop for an evening or full/half day, I can give more individual instruction in the same media.
As my subject matter relates largely to animals, I prefer to cover an aspect of this whilst teaching.
Art Societies or other groups are welcome to contact me.
This year I am planning to run some workshops for small groups in my own studio - please contact me for details.
2001 People's Choice Award at Rugby Art Gallery Open Exhibition,with "Taking it Easy", painting of a leopard.
2002 won Highly Commended Professional Category of Wildscape Artist of the Year Competition with "Who Goes There?", painting of a leopard.
2006 People's Choice Award at Harborough Open Exhibition, with "Sun Spot", painting of a domestic cat.
2007 The Wildlife Art Society International,
Annual Exhibition - The Christopher Parsons Award for artistic excellence,for a portfolio of four works on "The Foxes of North Warwickshire".
2008 The Wildlife Art Society International, Annual Exhibition - awarded Highly Commended for "Holly Robin", painting of a Robin.
2008 Awarded Highly Commended in the Editor's Selection Professional Category of Wildscape Magazine's Wildlife Artist of the Year Competition, with "Eye Contact", a painting of a Gorilla.
2008 The Rod Waspe Art Prize at the Rugby Art Gallery Open Exhibition, with "Reed Stalker", an acrylic painting of a Heron.
2009 The Wildlife Art Society International Annual Exhibition - The Christopher Parsons Award for Artistic Excellence,for a portfolio of four paintings on the theme "Freshwater Birds & their Habitats".
Acrylics, Coloured Pencil, Drawing, Pastels, Pencil/Charcoal, Watercolour Pencil
Animals, Landscape, Pet Portrait, Seascapes and Water, Wildlife
Warwickshire, United Kingdom Mainland