Lesley Palmer
Equestrian and Animal Fine Artist
Describe who you are and what you do.
I am an artist, deeply in love with horses, dogs and other animals, so I paint them in as many ways as I can, to portray their natural beauty and souls to others in a variety of mediums and styles, to evoke feelings of warmth, admiration and calm. I paint commissions of horses, animals and other pets for their owners, making sure I use their requested style, and typically aim to create an everlasting, detailed image, portraying the very soul of their much loved animal, so they can be remembered fondly, for evermore.
How and where do you work to create your work?
Typically, I create my art in my studio at home in the countryside, which has many windows so I feel like I am surrounded by the natural world, including squirrels which regularly run along my fence! My dogs are generally by my feet, sleeping or watching my every move, as I listen to music. This fills me with calm, so I can then set to work creating art in acrylic, watercolours, pastels or oils.
Who do you most admire artistically?
Within my field of animal art, I admire several artists. One is an artist called Erna Goudbeek for her equestrian art, another is Jessica Lennox for her commissioned animals in coloured pencil and I have recently come across a wonderful watercolour artist called Bryn Merryn, who has a similar style to me when painting animals' faces, ensuring they show the individual characters, using a contemporary style.
Describe a situation that inspired you.
I am inspired by the natural world of animals in many ways. I have experienced many moments amongst horses and dogs in particular, where they have proven themselves empathetic to their owners, children and other animals around them, and when those moments happen, the warmth I have felt towards them has inspired me to try and capture the moment/s as artwork, to be treasured forever.
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
One particular memorable response I have received, was at a show where eI had a large painting of two shire horses, pulling an old fashioned plough, guided by an older man wearing a flat cap, for sale. The painting was called "Working the Land". An elderly chap, wearing a flat cap and using a walking stick, stood up close to the painting, and carefully studied every part of the tack, plough and horses themselves within the painting. After about fifteen minutes of his studying the painting, where I had only seen him from behind , he turned to me with tears in his eyes and said "I want to buy that painting, it reminds me of when I was a boy". He bought it, took it away, and I heard later, that he had died six months afterwards, but his family were keeping the painting in pride of place, as their father had treasured it so much. The whole story moved me immensely, and his daughter assured me that the painting had brought him a huge amount of pleasure in his final months.
Name something you love, and why.
I love my family, my animals and some paritcular paintings I have painted over the years, of my own precious mum, and my own horses and dogs.
What is your dream project?
My dream project would be to paint life sized galloping horses at a horse establishment such as Aintree, or another major equestrian venue.
Favourite or most inspirational place?
My favourite place locally, is on top of Rodney's Pillar, where you can see for miles, and drink in the beautiful Shropshire views of mountains, rivers and sky for miles around. However, I also love being a a Thoroughbred/other equestrian stud farm, where there are plenty of young and more mature horses all around, and the bond you see between the mares and their foals, is something really special. Seeing newly born animals of all variety is so heartwarming, that I am hugely inspired every Spring!
What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
The best piece of advice I was given, after being asked to paint a multitude of different subjects over the years, was just to paint many, many different animal types, particularly if they are fluffy, and have kind faces!
