Updated 20th Feb 2012
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Animal artist Georgina Gibbons
I took a degree in art at the Central School of Art and Design in London (now Central St. Martin’s) and have spent many years working in graphic design and marketing. After years of painting and doing commissions in my spare time, in 2010 I gave up the day job to become a full time animal artist. My memberships include the Society for all Artists (SAA), Society of Feline Artists, The Wildlife Artists Society International and the Marwell International Wildlife Art Society, as well as local art groups.
I have always had a deep love of animals and feel a strong empathy with them. I have owned a horse and several dogs, cats and lovebirds. My first animal portrait was of my German Shepherd cross back in 1991. I have created a number of animal portraits on and off over the years, but a few years ago I discovered my true passion for drawing animals. I also discovered the enormous pleasure of giving an owner a portrait of their beloved companion, especially when that pet is no longer with them.
I hand paint the portrait using photographs as a guide, but I don’t aim to just reproduce
the photograph - I hope to enhance it. My objective is to bring out the animal’s
personality through the picture – its SPIRIT. I can combine photographs or make changes
such as removing a tag hanging from the collar or correcting milky eyes and “red
eye”. See Photo-to-Portrait examples. When the portrait is nearing completion, I
put away the photograph and make the final touches as I think they should be from
an artistic point of view.
I work exclusively in high quality pastels which give both a softness and an intensity of colour. I use either velour paper or traditional pastel paper, depending on the desired effect. Examples of both are in the Portrait Gallery. You can also see an example of how a pastel portrait is created.
I exhibit at a range of exhibitions with original wildlife paintings, limited edition prints and greeting cards for sale. Please click here for details of forthcoming events.
“Animal Spirit says
it all! Whenever I
look at Morar's portrait, her lovely nature
shines through. You've captured it perfectly."
Fiona Hewitt, Kyle
Finalist in the
BBC Wildlife Artist
of the Year 2011 competition
