Pip McGarry - International Wildlife Artist painting big cats and other wildlife art

"Although I had an artistic family background, I was initially inspired by a lecture given by the renowned wildlife artist David Shepherd in 1979. Within a week, having purchased a set of oils and borrowed an easel, I set to work. The results were less than encouraging!

Little by little, teaching myself at the kitchen table, I gradually improved my techniques. I worked primarily on wildlife, but also on pet portraits, boats, planes and anything that took my interest or that was commissioned. In 19931 held an exhibition at the local library and sold eight of my fourteen paintings. That same year, through a chance meeting, I was able to hang some of my paintings in the shop at Marwell Zoo (then a Portakabin-type stucture).

Towards the late 90's things began to take off for me, with a steady stream of commissions and a contract with a major publisher to publish two of my paintings as fine art prints.Having already reduced my hours in my job with the Civil Service in order Co be able to paint more, I took the major decision to turn professional in June 1998. That same year, three of my paintings were sold at Christie's, achieving (for me) record prices.

I have been lucky enough to have traveled extensively overseas, having lived both in Central America and the Far East and have led regular research trips abroad to study wildlife and habitat. When you read this article, I will have just returned from a safari to Botswana.

Having been involved artistically with Marwell for some years, I became aware chat the running of art activities at the zoo was causing problems for the staff. I put a business case to the Director and it was agreed that I should be Marwell's first Artist in Residence, a post I took up in 1999. Two things I felt strongly should come under my remit: the forming of an art society and the organisation of the summer arc exhibition.

Setting up the art group involved inviting a number of artists to form a committee, with myself as Chairman. A bank account was then created; entry forms, membership cards, an events calendar and a call for members all organised and a constitution agreed. Nearly four years later, from a loss-making venture when Marwell ran their own exhibitions, the group has well over 200 members, including over 60 professional wildlife artists and members from all over the world. We have donated £10,000 to Marwell's overseas conservation projects and sold over £100,000.00 of artwork.

There is a great atmosphere in our society, the original committee are still together and not only are we continually expanding, nearly all those who joined at the beginning are still with us. We always welcome new faces, so do contact us if you would like to find out more." - Pip McGarry, Chairman, Marwell Art Society.

WORKSHOPS

Brush with Wildlife

Pip has been running his Brush with Wildlife workshops at Marwell for several years now and they are obviously very popular. Usually run on two consecutive Sundays, they involve a tour of the zoo, opportunities to photograph the animals, sketch and take notes, and a session in Marwell's purpose-built Education Centre.

Mike East (left), who regularly attends the workshops, has written an account of the experience.

"If I was asked to describe the 'Brush with Wildlife' work-shops in one word, 'inspirational' would immediately come to mind. When Pip offered fellow artists the chance to experience what he called a 'close encounter with wildlife', none of us realised that he was laying the foundations for greater things. Or that this event was to remain a key attraction in the art society he was to form.

At the beginning of our first day Pip introduces everyone and runs through the day's programme. Almost immediately friendships are bom, as we all have a common purpose in gathering as much reference material for our painting as possible. Then off to meet our subjects - we never know who is the real spectacle, them or us, as they are curious about us too. We are able to talk to the keepers about their charges and this year we have been fortunate enough to have the company of Bill Hall, Marwell's Information Liaison Manager, formerly the zoo's Head Keeper. He really is a mine of information and a wonderful character.

During lunch at the zoo's restaurant we review the morning's work and people choose which specific animals they want to see. This year we concentrated on the giraffes, ring-tailed lemurs, the rhinos and the bongos (antelopes).

On the following Sunday we compare photographs and sketches. Some artists will have started their paintings, others will be in a quandary as to what they are going to do. Pip does his rounds and encourages us all with ideas or advice. Many of the finished results are added to the annual exhibition at Marwell Hall.

In the early days our entries were relatively small in number, but now, as we have expanded in membership, so proportionally has the number of paintings and also the quality. One thing is certain - the 'Brush with Wildlife' workshops have contributed greatly to the success of many of the participants"- Mike East

OPEN WORKSHOPS

The Open Workshops are organised for members of the Marwell Art Society and are held in the Education Centre. The course is a simple day of painting with advice, guidance and tuition. Accommodating up to 26 pupils spread through three rooms, the workshops allow students to wander freely through the classrooms to discuss and view other students work.

There are four professional wildlife artists as tutors, which enables students to get different advice and viewpoints from artists who make a living from selling their work. Towards the end of each day there is a 'critique' on the day's work or previously executed paintings, with input from tutors and students alike. The courses have proved amazingly popular. Last year all 52 places were taken in 3 days. A further workshop with 26 places was filled from the waiting list, with 18 people unfortunately left over!