Ann's Animal Kingdom

Internationally acclaimed pet and wildlife artist Ann Seward has portraits and prints hanging in homes worldwide. So 4walls was keen to find out more about her lifelong passion for the animal kingdom.

Painting came naturally to Ann. In 1974, her first attempt at portrait painting was triggered by a need to fill a gap on her cottage wall, and so she borrowed her father's watercolour box. The resulting painting of a stallion was quickly purchased by a friend, as was the painting she did to replace this!A love of animals and the countryside gave her an intimate knowledge and perception, which proved invaluable as her artistic skills developed. Soon, Ann was accepting commissions for horses, dogs and other animals. Invited to show at the Game Fair at Bowood in 1979, Ann secured enough commissions here for her to give up work with the family firm and launch a full time career as an animal portraitist.

“Ever since I can remember, I have always had an affinity with animals and the countryside. I am never alone as my constant companions are my dogs – always a couple of English Pointers. I have kept and bred horses for the last forty-seven years and during the last fourteen years have bred and organically reared rare breed sheep and a couple of Dexter steers, and so I have an empathy with and understanding of many animals.

“Each portrait presents a new challenge in which I become completely absorbed. Whilst painting from the photographs which I have taken, I actually use my photographic memory to recall the animals which I met previously, to help me to project their character and soul into the portrait. It gives me enormous satisfaction to portray each and every animal to the best of my ability and to immortalise it forever. This is endorsed by the emotions displayed on receipt of my portraits.

“Many of my commissions are given as presents and I get great pleasure in the cloak and dagger meetings with the subjects, and helping to keep the secret and surprise.”

New website

Fast forward to 2019, and Ann has just launched a new website and is painting pets for a new generation of animal lovers. She also sells some beautiful limited editions – like the hare featured here. The right frame brings the finishing touch to Ann’s work. “It has to complement the work. I am choosing more contemporary mouldings these days.” This gorgeous Pointer is enhanced by a Larson-Juhl Essentials moulding (704157000).

Ann would love to hear from any 4walls readers interested in animal commissions. She is on Facebook and all her latest work can be viewed at annseward.co.uk