Marianne Nightingale

As a totally self taught artist and sculptor I started as a textile designer, making one-of-a-kind clothing, working with different substrates. When I started to paint wildlife many years ago after a trip to India I just carried the knowledge gained from working on silk, leather and other materials on to my artwork.

Through donating or selling my artwork to benefit the various wildlife conservation charities with which I have been involved, I have travelled independently to many exotic and magical places which is a supreme privilege to see animals where they belong - in the wild. India initially to see tigers in then Sri Lanka where a baby orphan elephant stole my heart and I became her foster ‘Mummy’. Borneo to see our close cousins the Orang Utans – we share 97% the same DNA. Finally the Antarctic which is the most breathtaking, ethereal and sublime place to visit - the ultimate experience. 

Animal sculpture came late into my life – only about 4 years ago, but it is now my main way of creating. Turning a 2D image or sketch into a solid 3D piece is certainly challenging, but keeps my brain working very hard!