SUSAN JANE LEES
Born 1961, Bristol, UK.
Work signed as Susan Lees up to 1983 then as Susan Preedy until 1990 and since then as Susan Jane.
I have drawn and painted since early childhood, but my main over-riding interest was always animals and the natural world. Art was very much a secondary interest until the realisation was really made and confirmed, whilst at college (1980-83), that if I were to use my artistic skills, then it was to paint and draw natural history subjects.
I have exhibited widely over the UK in local, National and International exhibitions including;
Society of Wildlife ArtistsChristies Wildlife Art Auction
Christies - “Art for Survival” Wildlife Auctions – David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation
Nature In Art Museum and Art Gallery, Glos
The National Exhibition of Wildlife Art.
Sotheby’s Internet Wildlife Art Auction
Cheng-Kim Loke Gallery, WWT Slimbridge – two man show
Ooo Voor Natuur Gallery– Holland
The Wildlife Art Society
Marwell Art Society
The Society of Women Artists
Wild Cat Art Inaugral Exhibition, USA
The British Society of Painters - Spring and Autumn Exhibitions
I have been a regular Artist In Residence at The Nature In Art Museum and Art Gallery, Glos. since 2000.
My memberships to art groups and societies over the years include;
The Wildlife Art Society InternationalThe British Society Of Painters– 1994 - 96. Elected Associate Member of Society
The Society of Women Artists – 1995 - 96. Elected for membership when first exhibited with them and with half required pieces of work
Notable awards;
Highly Commended. National Exhibition of Wildlife Art Gold Merit of Excellence Award. - The Wildlife Art Society
The Christopher Parson’s Award for Excellence. - The Wildlife Art Society
Notable commissions;
Sovereign Art Company – 12 paintings for four limited edition calendarsAction Comores (Livingstone fruit bat conservation) pencil drawing
Bristol Zoo Gardens – 8 major pieces for Pelican Restaurant
Bristol Zoo gardens – Gorilla – 2005 Gift for HRH The Earl of Wessex
Field Trips
2011 – Okavango Delta, Botswana in conjunction with The Elephants for Africa Trust.After assisting Julie Askew, an Art Tutor on P&O World Cruises in 2002 and 2003 I myself was the art tutor with the same cruise company in 2008 and 2009, enabling me to visit and experience many countries and islands with their differing cultures, landscapes and wildlife around the World.
2000 - Invited to paint for conservation at Malilangwe Artists Trust, Zimbabwe. Cancelled due to political unrest
1999 - Two week Kenya Safari with Simon Combes
1995 - Three week Southern Africa trip – Swaziland, Kruger N.P. South Africa and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
In 1995 I was employed by Bristol Zoo Gardens as their Wildlife Illustrator and I have since that time illustrated over 550 different species of invertebrates, fish, reptiles and amphibians, birds and mammals for them. I continue to be employed by the zoo, but now work part-time for nine months of each year.
