Siskin comes 1st in wildlife art competition

The first Natur Cymru wildlife art competition has been won by Chris Wallbank from Llanidloes for his painting of a Siskin. Chris will receive a cheque for £250 kindly sponsored by WWF Cymru.

On being told the results Chris said ‘I am delighted to win the Natur Cymru wildlife art competition and to have my work featured on the magazine front cover. I chose the subject of my entry, the Siskin, because it is a species I associate with the Welsh landscape and one of the first I remember being in awe of discovering close to home. To make the painting, I first set up a feeder outside my window and started drawing whatever it attracted. However, it was the unexpected motif of Siskin gathering amongst the blossom flowers of a wild cherry that ultimately absorbed my attention and made the session truly special.’ Chris’s work can be seen at www.chriswallbank.com

Anne Meikle, Head of WWF Cymru, said ‘WWF Cymru is delighted to support this competition. The standard of the entries received has been very high which demonstrates the deep connection that many people in Wales have with nature. It is important to use all media, particularly arts and literature, to bring the joy and wonder of nature to people who may not experience it themselves’.

Second prize has been awarded to Flintshire based artist Sharon Whitley for ‘Puffin’, which is on the front cover of the summer edition, with sand eels in its beak. ‘I love painting wildlife and birds in particular - Puffins are one of my favourite birds and I associate them with the Welsh coastline at this time of year having had the privilege to see them at South Stack’. Sharon’s prize is a £250 voucher towards the cost of a residential art course at Plas Tan y Bwlch - thank you Snowdonia National Park.


Third prize, a trip for two to Skomer donated by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, goes to Rich Edwards for his painting of a Jay’s Feather on Moss.

Fourth prize, a voucher for £100 of materials kindly provided by Ken Bromley Art Supplies, has been awarded to Emma Cownie for her painting of Rabbits.

We will use these and other entries in future editions of the magazine. Thank you to all the participants and sponsors of the prizes. Thank you also to the judges for making the choices – our judges included Alison from Oriel Alison Bradley and Mel Parry who is the designer of Natur Cymru. Last, but by no means least, Mandy Marsh the Natur Cymru Production Manager who has pulled together all 47 editions since its birth in 2001.