1972 Born in Rochester, Kent
1991 Gained Royal Air Force Flying Scholarship and Private Pilots License
1992 Obtained first class BSc (Hons) in Zoology, University of Liverpool
1996 PhD in Animal Behaviour, University of St Andrews
2000-02 Worked as Conservation Contractor
2002 Became full-time Artist 

Variety and experimentation are the main emphasis of my art. I continually strive to find innovative techniques, styles and mediums in which to depict my subjects whilst retaining an element of realism. Ultimately, the aim is to produce interesting and dynamic paintings which capture the essence and beauty of nature. The pleasure I derive from nature is threefold; through experiencing it myself, recreating this experience in the studio and then passing this on for the enjoyment of others through my art.

Solo Exhibitions:
2008 Edinburgh Airport
2007 Scottish Ornithology Club, Aberlady
2006 ‘Gannets’, Scottish Seabird Centre, East Lothian
2005 Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’, Vane Farm, Kinross
2005 ‘Fourth Encounters’, Scottish Seabird Centre, East Lothian
2004 ‘Feathers and Fur’, Scottish Seabird Centre, East Lothian
2003 ‘The Antipodes’, Edinburgh Zoo
2003- ‘Natural Selection’, Pittenweem Arts Festival
2003 ‘Country Pursuits’, Whitehouse Gallery, Kirkcudbright

Group Exhibitions:
2008 ‘David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year’, Mall Galleries, London
2007 Society of Wildlife Artists Exhibition, Blake Gallery, York
2004 ‘Diversity of Wildlife’, Edinburgh Zoo
2003- Society of Wildlife Artists Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London

My style and techniques are continuously evolving through experimentation. Over the years I have used most mediums but now combine them all to produce intriguing mixed media works, with collage at the forefront. I gather material and inspiration in the field but complete the paintings in my studio, using sketches, photographs and imagination to reconstruct the experiences I have in nature. Each painting usually begins with a rudimentary sketching out of the forms using a watery acrylic mix. I then apply blocks of colour using ripped pieces of magazines and coloured paper. The recycling process of my work is something I find very satisfying. Sometimes I add pertinent text which relates to the subject or wider conservation issues and adds further intrigue to the painting. As the work progresses I apply a combination of collage, acrylic and oil paints, charcoal and pastels. I use brushes for finer lines or a palette to add thicker areas of paint. Washes of watery white acrylic paint help to make the more shiny papers matte and also subdue certain parts of the painting to add depth. Backgrounds are often simplified to blocks of colour so as not to crowd the composition with too much detail. I may work on up to a dozen paintings at any one time. A painting will usually take between one and four days to complete in the studio. I work fast in order to preserve the spontaneity and freshness of the painting.

‘Birdwatch Artist of the Year’, Society of Wildlife Artists, 2006

“Review of the Society of Wildlife Artists Annual Exhibition”,
‘Wildscape’, 2003, Vol 3, No. 4, p.22
“Changing Light: the Diverse Art of Paul Bartlett”, ‘Wildscape’, 2003, Vol 4, No.1, p. 5-8
‘The Split Second Truths about Wildlife Art”, ‘International Artist Magazine’, June/July 2004, p. 72-81
“Review of the Society of Wildlife Artists Annual Exhibition”, ‘International Artist Magazine’, January/February 2005
“The Artist at Work”, ‘Scottish Bird News, SOC magazine’, No. 86, December 2007, p.16-18
“Ripping Yarns from the Studio”, ‘Birds Ilustrated’, Vol 5, No.3, Spring 2008, p. 28-32