Meet Pollyanna Pickering ..........Pollyanna is acclaimed as one of Europe's foremost wildlife artists. The most published artist in the UK, her work sells in over eighty countries world wide. She is patron of the Wildlife Art Society International, and the University of Derby recently awarded her an honorary degree in recognition of her outstanding achievement in the arts. A familiar face on TV, the most recent documentary about her work Made in England was broadcast on BBC 1. In 2012 she was awarded the most prestigious International Award in the field of Wildlife Art - The Artists for Conservation's Simon Combes Conservation Award, recognizing support for conservation through artistic excellence.

Pollyanna is passionate about wildlife and equally passionate about accurately interpreting her subjects. She is a champion of environmental conservation, both on the national and international stage, and is an indefatigable campaigner for the welfare of endangered, sick and vulnerable creatures.

Her paintings will be familiar to most people from her extensive ranges of fine art prints and cards, many commissioned by charities including the WWF, Guide Dogs for the Blind and the RSPB. Pollyanna designs exclusive gift ware for Harrods, and has painted postage stamps for African Countries, and first day covers for the Royal Mail.

Pollyanna's determination to paint only animals which she has observed in their natural habitats has lead her into a remarkable and unique series of expeditions into some of the most inhospitable areas of the globe. In 2007, Pollyanna was granted a fellowship from Canada based society Artists for Conservation Foundation in support of the expedition into Bhutan. She is accompanied on her journeys by her daughter and business partner Anna-Louise who also writes the text and contributes the photography to the books.  

For fifteen years Pollyanna ran a registered hospital for birds of prey from her home. Caring mainly for injured and orphaned raptors, she also rehabilitated foxes, hedgehogs, squirrels and other mammals, all of which feature in her work. This close contact with the creatures in her care is reflected in the realism and vitality of her work.

The Pollyanna Pickering Foundation raises funds for world-wide conservation, animal welfare and disaster relief. Pollyanna continues in her support of other charities. She acts as patron of several organisations including The Badger Trust, Raptor Rescue, Cats in Need, Naturewatch, the Gamelea Countryside Training Trust, The ABC Animal Sanctuary and FABLE who raise funds for epilepsy sufferers. Pollyanna is a trustee of the Irish African/Asian Conservation Trust, and acts as UK ambassador for the Australian organisation Wildlife Warriors. She holds the official role of Conservation Partner to the Wildlife Conservation Division of the Department of Forests and Park Services of Bhutan.

Pollyanna has received over thirty international awards and accolades for her paintings, including the Silver Palette Trophy and the Millennium Trophy bestowed by the Wildlife Art Society International who have also awarded her two Gold Medals. In 2004 she was awarded a coveted first prize in the Wildlife Artist of the Year Awards, and in 2007 won the first National Wildscape Masterclass Challenge. In 2009 the Society of All Artists named her Professional Wildlife Artist of the Year in their annual award, and in 2011 she won the inaugural Environmental Concern Award in the Wildlife Artist of the Year Awards.

However in recent years she has also been recognised for her remarkable accomplishments in both business and conservation. The International Fund for Animal Welfare named her Animal Conservation Fund-raiser of the Year, honouring her with an award at a special presentation at the House of Lords. She has received a commendation for her work in Arts and Media at the European Women of Achievment Awards and won the Hera award at the prestigious NatWest everywoman Awards which celebrate the achievements of women in business. In 2006 she was awarded the Department of Trade and Investment's Women in Business Achievement Award. and the following year receieved one of the first Excellence in the Community from Derbyshire County Council, in recognition of her ‘outstanding personal achievement’ which has helped to put Derbyshire on the map. In2009 she was one of the three shortlisted finalists for the Women in Public Life Awards. In 2010 she was named Entrepeneur of the Year in the inaugural Derbyshire Times Business Awards.

For more complete biographical and career details click on Biography

We are delighted that the 2013 Association of Animal Artists Exhibition will support The Pollyanna Pickering Foundation. Click on the picture above for further details

The Pollyanna Pickering Foundation has donated over £150,000 to conservation and animal welfare projects worldwide.