Shelly Perkins
Artwork for Shelly Perkins
Details
How would you describe the work you do and why?
I work in an unusual way combining traditional drawing and painting with digital collage techniques resulting in highly detailed, and multi-layered digital artwork from which I create just 50 limited edition prints. I start with detailed pencil line drawings, watercolour washes and other painted textures as well as textiles like fake-fur. I take these elements and scan them into the computer, layering the elements into collages using Adobe Photoshop as a tool. This program allows me to create many-layered works of art, with my line work on the uppermost layers and my textures and washes on many layers beneath. Any one piece often comprising as many as 200 different layers of line, wash and detail.
For you what does being an artist mean?:
As well as showing my work in galleries I also undertake commercial commissions for illustration work, my list of clients includes BBC Wildlife Magazine, The National Trust, The RSPB, WWF, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, The Vincent Wildlife Trust and The Radio Times. In 2017 I was chosen as the Scott Polar research institute's Antarctic Artist in Residence, my work from the trip is used to educate people about the beauty but extreme fragility of this incredible part of the world. My first book 'Antarctica | A creative Journey' recounts my time in Antarctica and includes many of my field sketches and resulting studio work.
Describe what you call yourself/your practice?:
My working is inspired by the wonderful wild places that I have visited on my travels as well as the beautiful landscapes of rural Britain, in partcular the Worcestershire/Herefordshire/Shropshire region where I live and work. My passion for wildlife, travel and conservation are constant factors in the development and realisation of my work. I aim to emulate both the beauty and fragility of the natural world and present that to my audience in an accessible way through my work.
Your practice & activities include e.g workshops, teaching:
I draw a lot of her inspiration from the natural world both near and far, I use my love of wildlife travel and wild places as a catalist for my work collecions. Sharing some of these destinations with like minded creative individuals is one of my great passions. Why not join me on a painting course in a wonderful location in a far flung destination? I run a small selection of painting courses each year, France, USA and Africa are some of the destinations I have led painting trips to, I also run painting days a couple of times a year near my home in rural Worcesteshire. To find out more about my course dates please join my mailing list.
CV & Education, relevant & leading to your artistic practice:
My work is inspired by the landscapes and wildlife that I experience on a daily basis where I live in rural Worcestershire as well as my travels around the globe. My trips abroad are normally focused on where I can view animals that I want to see in their natural habitat. To that end my travels have taken me to all seven of the worlds continents. I have seen feeding humpbacks in Antarctica and hunting wild dogs in Zambia; Ibex fighting on high Alpine meadows in France; Wolves in Yellowstone; Bears in California; Koalas in Australia; Pels fishing owls in Botswana; Penguins in the Falklands; Fire Salamaders in Slovenia; Rhino in Namibia. But inspiration can come as easily from less exotic travels, a fox trotting across a frozen football pitch in central Birmingham or sparrows fighting on a bird feeder outside your window can be equally inspirational if viewed with an open and creative mind.
Your gallery outlets/stockists:
I show my work in a wide range of galleries and exhibitions throughout the UK. Some shows are repeated annually and others are one off events. Check out this page to find out what up-coming shows I am taking part in... The Artists' Gallery - Bromfield, Ludlow, Shropshire. www.theartistsgalleryludlow.co.uk I am the founder of The Artists' Gallery in Ludlow, Shropshire. I run the gallery jointly with seven other creative colleagues. I am at the gallery one day a week. To make a meeting with me at the gallery to discuss my work please get in touch. 07974 652 866