The Society of Wildlife Artists

in allowing me to go and spend time with these animals in the wild, and the experiences that resulted, I think the bursaries played a major part in the way I went on to translate them ‘onto canvas’ and so shaped the way I work today

Vicky White

I have been awarded two bursary awards by the SWLA; the first to study, draw and paint the Barbary Macaques of Gibraltar with the ultimate Goal of producing a series of portraits of individual animals, and the second to study, draw and paint the Gelada Baboons of the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia.

I was a student at the Royal College of Art at the time I was awarded my bursaries and they were crucial in enabling me to realise my postgraduate projects. They also offered reinforcement and encouragement to my ongoing pursuit of a subject matter about which I am passionate, but yet might have been regarded as somewhat obscure artistic fodder. The resulting work comprised both a first-year solo show at the college which consequently led to my obtaining representation with a London gallery (a very constructive relationship which continues to this day) and my contribution to the graduate show which then led to me working with Walker Books to produce the children’s book ​‘Ape’. Furthermore, in allowing me to go and spend time with these animals in the wild, and the experiences that resulted, I think the bursaries played a major part in the way I went on to translate them ​‘onto canvas’ and so shaped the way I work today.

I now work full time as a fine artist and illustrator. I exhibit and sell large animal drawings through the Park Walk Gallery in Chelsea and also work with a team at Walker Books (so far producing ​‘Ape’), a second book is due out at the end of the year and a third book proposal is now in the pipeline.