Artist’s Statement

I am constantly trying to develop my work, by pushing the boundaries as an artist, and as a result I'm intending to paint stylish pieces that incorporate birds and animals within grand and elaborate settings, or representing birds in a decorative and stylised form.

Whilst out walking we all see fleeting glimpses of the wildlife that surrounds us, whether it be of a fox running through a woodland, a herd of Roe Deer bounding into the distance or a Barn Owl quartering a field at dusk, moments like those can really make my day. It’s so easy to get “bogged down” by daily life, but by taking a walk in your local woodland or park you can see such sights, which make you realise what life is really all about. With that in mind it’s very important to preserve these little ‘nature reserves’.

By painting wildlife I am making people aware of its existence, and giving the viewer a rare chance to really appreciate all the beautiful species that we have in our countryside.

My aim is to bring the viewer of my work close to the subject, to see a moment in time. I like to portray my subjects as they really are in the wild, perhaps passing through a scene that I have already chosen to paint. The appearance of the animal or bird becomes an added bonus.

Steven Lingham is an award winning self-taught artist.
After a number of years working in the printing industry, and due to the escalating and ever demanding popularity of his paintings, Steven decided to make his life-long hobby into a full-time career in 2003, and since doing so his reputation and skills have gained tremendously.

Steven has a real passion for British birds, the subject matter for which he is most renowned.
He has used a variety of painting media - acrylics, gouache and the occasional pencil drawing, but has finally settled upon oils, which allow him to attain vibrancy in colour and texture. Steven is renowned for the meticulous attention to detail in his paintings. His works can be found in many private collections worldwide, including in the UK, Europe, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand and North America.

In 2008 Steven was invited to become a patron of Raptor Rescue, a UK based charity which rehabilitates birds of prey, (which is one of Steven's favourite subjects to paint).

Steven's artwork has been selected for inclusion in the prestigious Birds in Art exhibition for 2010 at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wisconsin, USA, which is arguably the World's most highly regarded wildlife art exhibition.