In Close Contact
Pollyanna with a young tawny owl being reared in her wildlife hospital
Pollyanna’s work as a wildlife artist brought her into remarkably close contact with many birds and animals over the years. She always believed that sketching animals from life brought a unique realism and vitality to her work, allowing her to capture the character of her subjects.
For fifteen years she ran a licensed registered hospital for birds of prey, caring for and rehabilitating hundreds of patients back into the wild. During this time she also cared for foxes, squirrels, hares, hedgehogs, garden birds and many more creatures. Through her charitable Foundation she supported and visited many more wildlife sanctuaries, both in the UK and worldwide, giving her the opportunity to meet and paint the animals in their care.
She also travelled the world to paint exotic species in their natural habitats, sometimes coming very close to her subjects!
She commented “When I travel I am able to experience the natural world in all its beauty, danger and drama. It is only through this first hand study of animals and their habitats that I am able to paint in a way which communicates my love and respect for our remarkable, awe-inspiring but ultimately fragile world.”
Pollyanna’s daughter and business partner Anna-Louise travelled with her to record the expeditions photographically.
On this page you can see a small selection of photos of Pollyanna with the animals she so loved. The book ‘A Brush With Wildlife’ tells the story of the wildlife sanctuary which Pollyanna ran from her home for fifteen years.