Autobiography - 2007
I was born in Surrey in 1944 and as far back as I can remember Natural History has been my passion. My parents taught me observation and patience and after a while the birds and animals in our suburban garden learned to trust me. I read all I could about the care and well being of injured and orphaned birds and animals and spent my happy childhood drawing and painting a menagerie of creatures and flowers.
I trained as a primary school teacher and enjoyed my early career, teaching all ages and all subjects, and then I discovered porcelain. With my knowledge of wild animals, flowers, dead wood, leaves and fungi, I discovered that I was able to reproduce finely detailed wildlife sculptures. I left teaching and became a self-employed sculptor.
My ability granted me membership to The Royal Society of Miniature Sculptors, Gravers and Painters, The Society of Women Artists and I became a founder member of the Society of Botanical Artists.
I enjoy painting our native wildlife but I have also taken field trips to Africa and North America, searching for reference.
A recent trip to Sri Lanka resulted in blissful days spent living and working with the retired elephants at the Millenium Foundation. This was followed by visits to the orphaned elephants at Pinnewala and sales from my artwork have helped to supply milk for these baby elephants.
I try to tell a story within my paintings and to inspire the viewer to look more closely at their surroundings and the habitat around them. As for painting the dreaded backgrounds, it’s not a problem, I can help you! With this in mind, I enjoy teaching and sharing my painting skills at both workshops and art classes, so why not have a go!
©All pictures are copyrighted to the Artist - Jenny Kennish