> LIFESTYLE
Natural talent
Self-taught artist, Andrew Stock was encouraged to paint by conservationist and painter, the late Sir Peter Scott. A past president of the Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA) Andrew has a passion for capturing the natural world. Jim Sherwood met him at his studio in Quainton.
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t was when Andrew was still at Sherborne School that he was personally encouraged by the late Sir Peter Scott to pursue his passion for painting the natural world. This endorsement of his ability gave Andrew the confidence to hold his first one-man exhibition at the age of just twenty-one at the Malcolm Innes Gallery in London. Andrew sketches in the field, usually in watercolour and frequently uses a telescope to watch the wildlife. Some of the resulting sketches may be suitable to exhibit, but more often they are vital reference to create more considered works in oil, watercolour or etchings on returning to the studio. Wildlife, especially birds, has been a constant theme, but in recent years landscapes have become an important part of his repertoire. His work takes him all over the world. From the Kumaon Himalaya to the Antarctic Peninsula (with the Royal Navy). These unspoilt habitats have provided Andrew with a wealth of inspiration, while the Scottish Highlands and more especially the contrasting beauty and wilderness of the island of Pabbay in the Outer Hebrides remains a constant pull and a regular pilgrimage. Andrew was elected a member of the Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA) in 1983. He went on to serve as Honorary Secretary to the society and also as a Governor at the Federation of British Artists (FBA) before he was elected President of the SWLA in 2004. As well as exhibiting regularly in London, Andrew has a growing international following. He has carried out many commissions including
30. Thame Out
paintings for 29 Commando RA, RACAL Electronics, Casino Hotel Group (India), and various international clients. Andrew has sat on or chaired the selection panel for the SWLA annual exhibition for over twenty years. He has selected work for the National Print Exhibition (‘Originals’) on several occasions and is a judge for Birdwatch Artist of the
Year. He also judges for the DSWF Artist of the Year Awards now in its 10th year. Each year Andrew works towards a solo exhibition which is usually held in London galleries. This year his main exhibition, Waves, Wildlife & Wilderness, will be a studio exhibition in Quainton, 15 – 19 June, to coincide with Bucks Art Weeks.