Queensland Wildlife Artists Society Incorporated

Lyn Hampson: Exhibiting member.

Gail Higgins : Exhibiting member. www.gailhiggins.com.au

After commencing art lessons in 1995 Gail soon developed an interest in painting wildlife. She now devotes much of her time to capturing Australia’s beautiful native birds in pastel, charcoal, acrylic and watercolour. She gains much of her inspiration from the sea and shore birds around the Brisbane bayside area where she lives.
With the completion of Cert IV in Assessment and Workplace Training in 2003 Gail commenced her own art classes and in 2007 moved into her teaching studio in Wynnum. A Master Pastellist with the Pastel Society of Australia, Gail is now sought after to conduct workshops in pastel - her favourite medium. (see tutors page for details)
She was invited by Australia Zoo to create awareness of native flora and fauna found in the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, Cape York, with a solo exhibition on Steve Irwin Day, November 2008. Gail believes that wildlife art is not only about the art – she hopes her paintings will encourage others to give thought to wildlife and the environment and to believe that the natural world is precious and worth preserving.

Angela Holt: Exhibiting Member

Angela is a naturally talented Wildlife Artist who has developed and refined her individual technique using Faber Castell Polychromos Colour Pencil.

Though she has studied Illustration and Graphic Design, her love for Fine Art always drew her back to her favorite style and medium. Inspired by her affinity with animals and nature, Angela pursues perfection in her art which is unique and vibrant.

Most of her reference comes from her own photographs, taken while studying animals in their natural habitats as well as at Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre’s, Zoo’s and Sanctuaries; where images of every eye, feather, paw, pattern and landscape are included.

Angela and her husband resided in England for four years and travelled extensively throughout Europe, visiting places such as The Louvre, Monet’s Garden, Salvador Dali’s home, The Sistine Chapel and Van Gogh’s Museum. These life experiences have ultimately inspired and motivated Angela, both personally and as an artist.

Prior to travelling, her greatest influence was the Australian Bush and its native inhabitants, but after time spent in South Africa and now living in Dubai in the Middle East for the past few years, Angela’s works cover a wider range of wildlife themes. She admits though, that her favorites are still her Australian subjects, for their uniqueness, colour, and of course, as they are so close to her heart!

Annelise Howes: Exhibiting member.

Annelise’s colourful originals of both Australian and worldwide Flora & Fauna and Fine Art Giclee reproductions are represented both Interstate and Overseas. Annelise works in oil, acrylic, pastel and watercolour and enjoys a successful sideline working on commissions for pet portraits.

Annelise is a member of QWASI and Birds Queensland and is involved with nature and animal preservation through her association with the Save the Bilby Fund, Bush Heritage Australia, Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Tasmanian Land Conservancy, Greenpeace, the Humane Society, the World of Wildlife Fund and the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund.

Lois Hughes: Exhibiting member.

Who hasn't been charmed by be-jewelled butterflies sipping from flower cups of sweet nectar...sunlight dancing off gossamer-winged,emerald-eyed dragonflies...sunkissed dewdrops radiating rainbows from spangled spiders webs... and been inspired to capture these and other enchanting and transient moments... loving gifts from the creator himself?
Years spent as illustrator for the Butterfly and other invertebrates club has given Lois opportunity to depict many insects in their natural settings. Many of these are available as giclee prints. Four Richmond Birdwing butterflies are available also, as cards.
Preferring watercolours, Lois will also employ other mediums to achieve "the look" and depth of vibrancy desired. Other commissions include poster design and book covers.

Margaret Ingles: Exhibiting Member www.margaretingles.net

Margaret is an Australian artist who has been living in Asia for over two decades (Nepal, Laos, Thailand and Singapore). Being married to a conservation scientist, she has had many opportunities to travel and experience a diversity of landscapes, habitats, and cultures. This has allowed her to indulge her other great interest – photography – and her photos often provide the inspiration and starting points for many of her paintings. She is primarily an oil-on-canvas artist, but occasionally enjoys working in acrylics and pastel, and enjoys painting a range of subject matter.
Four years ago she became aware of the amphibian extinction crisis facing the planet. “I want my frog paintings to help address this extinction crisis, by raising awareness and funds for conservation actions.” Most of Margaret’s paintings depict frogs in human settings to symbolise the direct connection between them; man as both the source of the problem and, ultimately, the solution.

Margaret is a member of the international Artists for Conservation group, the International Guild of Realism and the Australian Guild of Realist Artists, and a member of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.  Some of her work can also be seen on the Amphibian Ark conservation website.

Bev Irwin: Exhibiting member.

Bev studied Art at Secondary school, drama at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney, and later acquired a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern Queensland in Language and Literature. She is passionate about her art and the environment, and has chosen Wildlife and Botanical Art as her subjects.
“We are blessed in this country to have such unique animals and plants, and the intricate structure and aesthetic perfection of our native species inspires me to take a voyage of discovery into their unique world. With climate change and habitat fragmentation through unrealistic clearing of native vegetation, I believe the mission of the botanical and wildlife artist is to record a moment in time in the short lives of these unique species for future generations to enjoy”.

Zeljko Ivanovich: Exhibiting member.

Nora Jones: Exhibiting member.

Nora’s interest in art began many years ago after attending a Folk-art class, she did decorative painting with acrylics for some time before take drawing classes with Sandra Temple. Here her horizons have expanded into a more exploratory path as she experimented with pencil, water colour, acrylic and texture paste as seen in the Elephant picture exhibited. Wildlife drawing has become her main interest and her passion lies with Pastel as her main medium.
Growing up in South East Queensland, Nora’s has been surrounded by native birds, fauna and animals giving her great subjects for her work. Nora started exhibiting her work in 2005, Winning the Emerging Artist Award in 2005 and 2007.
Nora’s other interest Golf, has produced many great photo opportunities with the abundance of wildlife on the Golf course.