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Art graduate creates animal magic with pet portraits

09/01/2018

A University of Wolverhampton art graduate is creating animal magic by starting a business drawing pet portraits.

Jess Pritchard, 24 from Cookley in the Wyre Forest, studied for a degree in Graphic Communication at the Wolverhampton School of Art before pursuing a career as a graphic designer at West Midland Safari Park, followed by some freelance work.

She set up her own business, Pritch Art, and now works full time drawing pet portraits and wildlife commissions.  She works with graphite and coloured pencils from photographs of the animals.

She said: “When I was growing up I spent a lot of time in the Lake District and it inspired me to pick up my pencils and draw from a very young age. I am self- taught and love sitting in my studio every day drawing pet or wildlife commissions.

“After leaving the Safari Park, I knew I wanted to draw full time and I knew my subject was destined to be animals. 

“It took a while for my business to get going but the design skills I learned at University have definitely helped me in advertising myself. As I also love drawing other animals as well as pets, I draw more exotic animals between commissions.  I hope one day to combine my art with conservation to help raise money for the beautiful creatures I am so lucky to draw, without them I would have no inspiration!” 

Jess has exhibited her work at the Shrewsbury Open Exhibition, Bewdley Open Exhibition, Number 8 Gallery in Pershore, the Kidderminster Horticultural Show and the Wolverhampton Society of Artists Exhibition held at the Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

Get in touch with Jess on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or check out her website.

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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