Valerie Briggs

30/05/2026

A tour of the 34th TWASI exhibition at Nature in Art

I finally made it over to the Nature in Art museum in Gloucester today to see the Wildlife Art Society’s 34th Annual Exhibition. 🎨✨If you love wildlife, nat...

28/05/2026

It is cooling down at long last and only a few days left to visit Nature in Art and the 34th Annual Exhition of the The Wildlife Art Society International (TWASI) which closes on Sunday 31st May at 2.30pm.
Open every day otherwise from 10am to 5pm.

25/05/2026

Thrilled to say that my drawing has won the Ken Stroud Founders Award for best british wildlife at TWASI exhibiton this year.
Do pay it a visit at Nature in Art it is on until 31st May and closes at 2.30pm that day but 10am to 5pm the rest of this week.

21/05/2026

The private view of the 2026 TWASI Annual Exhibition starts tomorrow evening at 6pm all welcome no need for an invite.
Dr Paul O'Donoghue of the 2026 nominated charity Wildcat Haven will open the exhibition around 7pm.
The exhibition runs from Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st open everyday from 10am to 5pm, free parking and entry to the TWASI marquee exhibition. There is some stunning artwork this year.

Strange as it may seem my entries are Scottish Wildcats!! I have entered the Christopher Parsons Award but there is really strong competion throughout the exhibition this year. Me winning 3 awards last year woke everyone up I think!!!!!!
It is always an exacting award.
There are other awards too.

The Christopher Parsons Award for Artistic Excellence

This award was inaugurated in 2003 and was named after the late Christopher Parsons OBE who was a founding member of the BBC Natural History Unit and a Patron and supporter of the Society.

This award will be presented for the Best Portfolio of four works by an artist and will be subject to the following judging rules.
The portfolio must contain one each of the following subjects

Animal Portrait
The word “animal” refers to mammals, birds, reptiles, fish or invertebrates.

Wild Habitat or Seascape

This can be with or without a wildlife subject, but use of such subject must be of secondary importance to the whole land/seascape, which must stand on its own merit

Animal Behaviour
This must depict ACTIVE behaviour typical of the particular species illustrated or INTERACTIVE behaviour between different species.

Artist’s Choice
The artist may choose a subject from one of the following categories:-

a) Dusk to Dawn
Should depict a scene, with or without animals, during sunset to sunrise.

b) Natural Abstracts
This requires an imaginative, non-representational interpretation of flora, fauna or habitat. The judges will be looking for unique artistic vision conveying an abstract view rather than realism.

c) Waterworld
Should be of creatures that spend either all or most of their life in either oceans, rivers or lakes, depicted in their habitat

d) Wild Flora
(any stage or size of Wild Plant)
Should illustrate wild plants that have some link with the portfolio of paintings 1 - 3

13/05/2026

The annual exhibition of The Wildlife Art Society International is almost here — and this year’s show promises an outstanding collection of high-quality wildlife art from some of today’s most talented artists.
Set within the beautiful surroundings of Nature in Art
, visitors can enjoy a wonderful day out while exploring exceptional wildlife-inspired artwork across a wide variety of mixed media including oils, watercolour, pastel, graphite, sculpture, printmaking, photography and more.
Whether you’re an art collector, wildlife enthusiast, or simply looking for inspiration, there will be something for everyone — with many original artworks available to purchase both at the exhibition and through the online gallery.
📍 Main A38, Twigworth, Gloucester GL2 9PA
📅 Sat 23rd – Sun 31st May 2026
🕙 Open daily 10am – 5pm
⏰ Closes early at 2.30pm on Sun 31st May
✨ Preview Evening
📅 Fri 22nd May
🕕 6pm – 8.30pm
🖼️ Browse & buy online:
TWASI Online Gallery 2026

07/05/2026

Really pleased with how my student's lion and lioness coloured pencil portrait has turned out. It has been a bit of tour de force for her due to a serious hand injury half way through!

24/01/2026

Nice to see one of my Squirrel Nutkins hanging in his new home 🤗

16/01/2026

Update on the lions in coloured pencil I have been working on with one of my students. She works full time so very slow process but slowly getting there.
Will post a picture of her artwork when she has put in some background. She has made a lovely job of the lion's mane.

22/12/2025

22/12/2025

I think the Resting Hares are finally finished need to look at it a while!
Photo a bit better I will get it right in the next week or so!