Our new GWCT artist Ellie Louise shares her story about her love of both art and wildlife, and how one can raise awareness of the other.
The 27-year-old began her journey specialising in gundog portraiture, but she has recently started to branch out into Britain’s gamebirds, as seen in our new additions to the GWCT art collection featuring Ellie Louise Art’s grey partridges.
“Growing up in the Lincolnshire countryside alongside my gamekeeping grandfather I have been lucky enough to see and appreciate both sides of game management, the sport itself and the great care and effort that goes into creating the perfect habitat for the birds and the conservation efforts that accompany this. Having such an insight, I have an understanding of the fine balance this takes and it has certainly shaped my views and understanding of the natural world and our beloved tradition.
“After studying Animal Management at Riseholme college, learning about animal welfare and husbandry I have an even better understanding of both sides of the argument. To be a well-rounded individual in the fieldsports community I think you need to be equipped with a good understanding of the wildlife when out in the field. This is where the GWCT came to my attention. Without their extensive knowledge and constant monitoring of the Woodcock and Grey Partridge populations, these birds may have been a sight only in textbooks. Having learnt about the very specific land management efforts it takes to ensure grey partridges breed successfully and thrive in the landscape, I certainly made it my mission to differentiate them in the sky against French partridges on a shoot day.
“My main inspiration from the field is the working gundogs. The heartbreak of losing my first Labrador and ‘once in a lifetime dog’ set off my enthusiasm for capturing that bond and moments of pure joy in the field. So, while my work has mainly involved capturing working dogs doing what they were bred for, I can see the importance of capturing both the dogs and the gamebirds. Taking my art to country shows has also shown me that my art has a wider reach than I first thought. Speaking to those who take an interest in my paintings, yet have never partaken in country sports, I feel art can be a vital medium to help bridge that gap.
“All my artwork is drawn using colour pencils, a very slow process but one of the best to capture the tiny details. I want to draw the different aspects of field sports to ensure the story telling aspect is accurate. Without the years of experience I have gained, I feel my pieces would lack conviction. I have no formal art training, but the constant inspiration from each season out in the field certainly brings a wealth of knowledge.
“Having grown up in the countryside, studied animal husbandry at college and following the science of the GWCT I feel the best way I can support wildlife conservation and raise awareness is through my art. I feel the only way to make a real impact and turn around the outcomes of species on the verge of extinction we need to collaborate. Gamekeeping offers the perfect habitat for other wildlife to also thrive, and the latest research and having the restraint to shoot what is sustainable, all helps to keep the right balance.
I am thrilled to work together with the GWCT and use my artwork as a vehicle for change. A contribution from the sales of my grey partridge drawing will be going towards the fantastic work they continue to do.”
'True English Game Bird' Limited Edition Grey Partridge Print by Ellie Louise Art is available to purchase now at The GWCT Shop.
