You can visit Sophie here:

Instagram: @SophieGreenFineArt

Facebook: Sophie Green Fine Art

Website: SophieGreenFineArt.com

Art Basket: ArtBasket.co.uk

Hi there! My name is Sophie and I’m a full-time wildlife and conservation artist from East Sussex. Essentially, I paint animals and their environments in order to raise awareness (and money) for important conservation causes.

‘What is conservation?’ I hear you ask. Well, in short, conservation is the protection of our natural world and all of its resources; this includes animals, plants and their habitats. It’s also about being mindful of our everyday habits and how they are contributing to either a positive or negative change.

I have always been fascinated by animals and the natural world. I have also always enjoyed creating art. Like most creatives however, self-doubt and a rather down-to-earth upbringing led me down the more traditional route of working various sensible jobs (and some not-so-sensible jobs too), before going to University and becoming a teacher in my mid-twenties.

I had always painted in my spare time, but as my spare time suddenly started to dwindle and I found myself painting less and less (whilst the artists that I lived vicariously through on social media thrived), I started to get ‘the itch’. When you have a deep passion for something, there’s only so long that you can ignore it for.

I eventually decided to reduce my hours at school; going from being a full-time teacher to a part-time private tutor and picked the paint brush back up. I started to build up my business, Art Basket, and paint commissions for friends and family on the side, and after a few years, I was finally able to become a full-time artist.

Since starting out as an artist, I have donated 10% of my profits to wildlife and conservation charities, as well as donating artwork to charity auctions and exhibitions each year. I can honestly say that without the drive to raise awareness and money for the causes that are close to my heart, I would probably have half of the motivation to paint. For me, painting wildlife and helping to protect wildlife go hand in hand.

I think that one of the scariest moments of my life was quitting my full-time, secure job to pursue a career in the arts. With rent due and bills to pay, I had responsibilities and I didn’t have the zeal and tenacity of somebody fresh out of school. I was unsure and it was scary, but taking the risk paid off tenfold. It taught me that, as cliché as it sounds, anything is possible and it’s never too late. I think that is something that I have taken with me into all of my endeavours.

I am proud to make a difference in some small way through my art. Either by educating others or drawing attention to the vulnerability of certain species, it fills me with joy to know that my artwork is helping in some small way.

I have also been extremely fortunate to have been shortlisted for some amazing art prizes and last year won the Leisure Painter People’s Choice Award 2020. Even more exciting was that the art auction held by Explorers Against Extinction, to which I donated a painting of a rhinoceros, set a new record for money raised that year! I also became a member of the Artists for Conservation group, meaning I am able to participate in even more charity events and continue to contribute towards protecting the planet.

If you loved that and want more of Sophie and her art in your life and you want to help support the amazing work Sophie is doing for the world of conservation, please make sure you head to the following links at the top of the page!

The world will thank you.