A new exhibition of paintings by internationally renowned wildlife artist Andrew Stock at The Minster Gallery Winchester will raise funds for The Cameron Bespolka Trust, the local charity that helps young people appreciate nature. Travels of a Wildlife Artist features his recent paintings of the West Country and Scotland, his various ventures abroad, and scenes from the New Forest and Beaulieu.
Andrew Stock is one of Britain’s most talented wildlife artists with a career spanning over 40 years. He was elected a member of the Society of Wildlife Artists in 1983 and was its President for five years.
From sketching in the field, he develops his paintings in watercolour or oils in the studio. He seeks out the natural world’s delights and secrets, liaisons between man and nature, contrasting tones and tapestries of patterns. His attention to detail and accuracy has led him to create exquisite etchings, and these are now an important part of his portfolio.
Andrew has travelled the world seeking inspiration as far afield as the Antarctic Peninsula, the Himalayas, Sri Lanka, a Game Reserve in South Africa, the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, the Austrian Alps and the Outer Hebrides. His love of his home county Dorset and now Devon, where he recently moved, continues to inspire him.
Cameron Bespolka was a young man from Winchester who died in 2013 at the age of sixteen in a tragic accident. He was passionate about bird life, especially in his Winchester ‘patch’. The Cameron Bespolka Trust was set up in his memory to inspire young people to love and appreciate animals and nature. It raised funds to pay for the renovation of ‘Cameron’s Cottage’, a residential place which is nestled deep in the RSPB reserve Franchises Lodge in the New Forest. It is a sanctuary for wildlife and creates opportunities for young adults from all walks of life to be immersed in nature.
Andrew Stock, The Minster Gallery and the Cameron Bespolka Trust are delighted to work together to promote wildlife and nature in art. Gifts promoted by the Trust are on sale at the gallery and selected paintings will be sold to raise funds for the charity.
Travels of a Wildlife Artist is showing at The Minster Gallery until 22 July. The gallery in Great Minster Street, Winchester, is open from 11am until 4.00pm on Monday and Thursday to Saturday. For more information, contact The Minster Gallery on 01962 877601 or visit minstergallery.com.
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