Profile | Wendy Theobald Wildlife Artist

I am a Suffolk‑based wildlife artist whose work is inspired by a love of the natural world. Born and raised on a smallholding near Bury St Edmunds, I grew up surrounded by an environment that shaped my creativity and connection to wildlife from an early age. I went on to study at Ipswich Art School before completing my BA (Hons) in Art & Design in West Yorkshire in 1992.

My artistic inspiration comes from the fauna, flora and landscape, in my local area as well as further afield, observing the wildlife in its many forms. These encounters are recorded in my sketchbooks and photographically, capturing the changing colours, patterns and movement of the seasons.

My main mediums are watercolour and watercolour pencils. I focus on the habitat of an animal or bird, this is equally as important as the subject. It is important to me to have seen the wildlife in its natural surroundings. My aim is not only to portray wildlife, but to evoke a sense of movement, atmosphere and place.

My artwork has been used by St. Edmundsbury Borough Council, the RSPB and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust in the form of interpretation panels, magazines, leaflets and Christmas card designs.

Beyond my studio, I help at community woodland work parties and care for my own five‑acre woodland nature reserve—planted by my father over 30 years ago. This space provides sanctuary for wildlife, a source of artistic and photographic inspiration, and a place of calm.

Focusing on the natural world seems to be even more important to me as I get older. So much can be learnt from the natural world, yet so much of it can be lost in an instant when we don’t understand it. With all the alarm bells ringing in the natural world, it makes me want to help where I can. I often hear people say that my work reminds them of places they know and wildlife they have seen. If my work can be a small reminder of how important nature is to us all then that has to be a good thing.