This is the week that was…. I shall certainly never forget it! Seven days ago, I jumped on a train to London, with my painting safely wrapped and under my arm. I took the tube from Paddington Station to Charing Cross and popped up from the underground right into Trafalgar Square where I was greeted by lion statues, the National Gallery, an enormous blue cockerel sculpture, and sunshine! A short walk around to the rear of the Mall Galleries, and my painting was safely delivered. Phew! To celebrate my achievement of being selected for such a prestigeous exhibition, I treated myself to a wander through both the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery. I joined in the ‘late shift’ in the Portrait gallery, where I sat with a group of artists, guided by a tutor and drew from one of the paintings on display before heading back to Paddington to catch my train home.

Back from the framers

Back from the framers

Only 3 days later, accompanied by my brother, I made the same journey, and again we enjoyed the atmosphere of Trafalgar Square on a sunny day. We explored Covent Garden and had another sneaky peek inside the National Gallery – I was keen to show my brother Leonardo da Vinci’s Cartoon that I had admired so much on my first visit.

Me and my brother in front of The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square.

Me and my brother in front of The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square.

Before I knew it, The time had come to attend the Private viewing of the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year Exhibition 2014. After a quick freshen up, we made our way to the Mall Galleries when sheer excitement turned to a mixture of fear and excitement combined! Entering the gallery knowing my painting would be hanging somewhere among so many amazing artworks was a real buzz! A quick glance around enabled me to spot my painting and I breathed a sigh of relief. We had an hour or so before the winners were announced when we were able to mingle, meet the other artists and take photographs. This was when I realised how ‘starstruck’ I was feeling as I saw Hazel Soan standing next to my painting!!!

'Feathered Friend' in place at The Mall Galleries

‘Feathered Friend’ in place at The Mall Galleries

My 'blurb'

My ‘blurb’

The awards were announced and speeches were made and thankfully, bubbles flowed freely throughout the evening! After chatting to several artists, and sipping a couple of glases of bubbly, I summoned up some dutch courage and asked for photographs with Mark Carwardine, Hazel Soan and the great man himself, David Shepherd CBE – the highlight of my evening! It was a wonderful evening I shall never forget and I feel honoured to have been part of such an amazing exhibition which supports such a worthy cause.

Me with David Shepherd CBE

Me with David Shepherd CBE

Me with Mark Carwardine, wildlife photographer and film maker.

Me with Mark Carwardine, wildlife photographer and film maker.

Me and Hazel Soan with my painting, 'Feathered Friend'

Me and Hazel Soan with my painting, ‘Feathered Friend’

I visited the exhibition twice during the week, each time with a different friend! What better excuse for a daytrip to London?? It was lovely to look properly and take in all the different artworks on display (the private view was so busy and exciting, it was difficult to see everything properly!) Tomorrow is the final day of the exhibition – although all the art is accessible through the DSWF website, and today I had an email to say my painting has been sold!!! This is the icing on the cake for me – it’s topped off the biggest week of my life like an enormous painted cherry!

Sold

If you have a chance to visit the Mall Galleries tomorrow, feast your eyes, if not, check out the website…

http://shop.davidshepherd.org/list.php?search[exhib]=way14ex&search[event]=8&max_perpage=9999&from_event=8