View from Colmers Hill, Dorset

Dorset is more than a place of inspiration for my pen and ink works, it’s a place I will forever call home. I live near Wareham, surrounded by some of the most beautiful, wildlife rich landscapes in the UK. From ancient woodlands to heathlands and the dramatic Jurassic Coast, I feel incredibly lucky to be constantly immersed in nature.

It is unsurprising that a lot of inspiration comes from my experiences here. I have been exposed to nature from a young age, with lots of these special memories inspiring the characters I choose to portray. I continue to spend as much time in nature as I can, whether it’s an early morning walk across the Purbeck hills, an afternoon sitting by a river, or a sunset over Arne, every outing shapes the way I depict the natural world through illustration. I’m excited to share recent inspiration as well as places I like to visit locally and how these encounters influence me when I’m back drawing in my studio.

Current Inspiration

Great Tit in Pia's garden/ Sika Deer in the Purbeck meadows

As we are lucky enough to experience such a diverse range of wildlife here in Dorset, I find myself drawn to a variety of different species as seasons transition. Most recently, I feel a particular connection with birds. Having observed them in various local locations, I have enjoyed experimenting to portray feathered textures in my most recent pen and ink works.

In my rural garden, we have feeders which encourage a variety of birds like wrens, robins, blue tits, sparrows, woodpeckers and lots others to visit. My overlooking studio space allows me to sit and watch them for hours on end. As they flutter from one perch to another, I get a feel for each tiny personality… it’s certainly a welcome distraction! ‘A Wren’s Perch’ was inspired by a fleeting moment observed out the window.

Duck and geese, though often overlooked are another favourite subject of mine. Their varied plumage offers endless detail to explore in ink. One of my favourite ever drawings titled ‘The Duck and Duckling’ was inspired by the humble mallard, having observed a mother and her babies on a visit to Wareham river. With the mum rallying her squad of babies towards the water, I watched in awe of these day old balls of fluff, stumbling from side to side. I wanted to capture this whimsical moment in ink.

Hares are another species in Dorset with whom I share a special connection with. There’s something almost mythical about them, the way they move with such agility, yet can sit so still, ear pricked on alert. Unlike rabbits hares seem to observe the world before them, deciding to flee if necessary. I often seen them in open fields around home, especially at dusk or dawn. ‘The Hare’ and ‘The Running Hare’ explore both sides of these beings. ‘The Hare’ was inspired by a moment I shared while walking to Chapmans Pool. Through long grass I saw two ears poke out, a hare was stood starting directly at me. I froze and stood in awe as we studied each other. He eventually darted away but I felt a sense of warmth and friendliness in this fleeting moment which I translated into this piece.

A Wrens Perch/ The Duck and Duckling/ The Hare

My favourite places to find wildlife in Dorset

There are so many stunning places to observe wildlife in Dorset, its hard to choose the ones to share! These are a few favourites…

Landscape image of Arne in Dorset used for artistic inspiration

Arne

Arne is a beautiful RSPB nature reserve in Dorset and is a great place to observe a vast variety of bird life. At different times of the year birds or prey like ospreys and white tailed eagles can be found flying over head as well as wading birds like curlews and oystercatchers in the mudflats and salt marshes. Other wildlife like sika deer, rabbits, sand lizards as well as a variety of insects live here too. I like to visit often, enjoying the difference of habitats. From woodlands to beaches it provides a diverse experience that I find myself particularly drawn when I’m looking for inspiration.

Landscape photo of the Purbecks in Dorset used for artistic inspiration

The Purbecks

The Purbeck are one of the most wildlife diverse areas of the UK. With a variety of habitats such as heathlands, woodlands, grasslands, cliffs and coastal waters, this landscape supports an incredible variety of wildlife from rare birds and insects to iconic British mammals. There are hundred of walks in this area with my favourites including routes to Houns Tout, Swyre Head and Ballard Down. These are just a few of the species found here: bats, kingfishers, puffins, sika and roe deer, badgers, barn owls and adders. While walking in this are I always bringing along a camera and a little sketchbook to jot down any ideas.

Landscape image of Kimmeridge Bay in Dorset used for artistic inspiration

Kimmeridge Bay

Kimmeridge bay is a stunning location on the Jurassic Coast, famous for its rich fossil beds and dramatic cliffs. The bay sits within the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve with its crystal clear waters home to a vast array of marine species. I have many fond memories here as a child. We would visit at low tide to go rock pooling, finding crabs under rocks, stroking anemonies and spotting tiny fish in the shallows. I continue to visit here regularly to snorkel or go paddle boarding, with my encounters here inspiring a lot of my coastal collection.

Taking my observations into my studio

Having got out into nature and filled my pockets with inspiration you might wonder how I translate these observations onto paper. As you might realise it is impossible for me to draw while out on location due to the high level of detail in my work. I need an environment with a flat surface and no wind, therefore, I have come up with a method of recording observations to take back to my studio. 

When I am lucky enough to encounter wildlife, I like to take a number of photos and videos (If i get the chance!). I am by no means a professional photographer, but imperfect photos capture shapes and movements of a subjects body shape. They also record the little personality sat in front of me, which I am able to refer back to. While observing, I like to make up a little personality, imagining what they might be like if we were to sit at a table and chat. These assumptions are always based off the character I observe before me. In both body language and expression, I find the eyes, ears, nose and mouth tell all. These attributes tend to stick with me and it is the personalities that I am drawn to the most that I choose to translate through pen and ink.

Work in progress illustrations by Pia Elliot

Protecting wildlife in Dorset

Like most, I often worry about the impacts of climate change and human behaviour on wildlife here in Dorset and across the world. So that we can all continue to share our world with a diverse array of species, I would encourage you to support conservation charities. These are just a few local charities I admire.

Birds of Poole Harbour

Dorset Wildlife Trust

RSPB Arne

While I create my artwork through love, it also feels important to continue to share wildlife through my unique perspective, allowing other to fall in love with the characters I’ve observed. I will continue to find inspiration from all wildlife, enjoying as much time in the rich Dorset landscape as I can.