‘Keeper of Secrets’ by Kerry Jane

I grew up surrounded by countryside with the Malvern Hills and the Cotswolds on my doorstep to explore, so it’s no wonder I developed such a love for flora and fauna. I adore the intricacies of the natural world and the intertwining relationship we have with it, even though so many choose to ignore it. My art is also cathartic to me, with my animals taking on human emotions and telling their tales in a way I hope you can empathise with, and attach your own stories to. Birds are my favourite muse, with their ability to fly being their ultimate freedom.

Completely self taught, my tastes and style are constantly evolving but the drive to bring emotion and story telling into my work is strengthening and is something I really enjoy. My work is a reflection of what I see and experience in our very modern society, a society that seems to persist on cutting its ties with nature. Our world is a truly beautiful place, but that beauty is often sacrificed for greed. If we could all see what nature could bring us, for our own mental well-being and for the wider community, then maybe things could be different.

My favourite mediums are graphite and acrylic/oils. I see simple pencil drawing as an elegant medium, one which allows me to capture the tiny details. Acrylic and oils allow me add the vibrancy that the subject of my work has, helping me highlight the beauty. I also love using gold leaf to border my pieces and my prints.