Leeds-born artist Pollyanna Pickering - Burning Bright

The much loved late wildlife artist, who was born in Leeds, was renowned as an artist-traveller and her determination to paint only animals which she had observed in their natural habitats lead her into a remarkable and unique series of expeditions into the most inhospitable areas of the globe.

The exhibition will showcase artwork inspired by her fascination with tigers will be staged in her private gallery at Brookvale House Oaker Matlock Derbyshire DE4 2JJ (AA Signposted) from June 20-28 (10am–6pm, admission free).

Pollyanna first travelled to India in 1990 when she was invited by the Born Free Foundation to sketch and paint the charity’s very first wildlife rescue – five tigers which had been rescued from a roadside circus in Kent and flown to the beautiful natural Banerghatta reserve.

The book ‘The Eye of the Tiger, which tells the story of this journey, with a foreword by Dame Virginia McKenna - will be available at the exhibition.

A spokesperson said: "Pollyanna returned to India many times, working with Project Tiger rangers deep in protected reserves.

"The journeys were not without danger – on one heart stopping occasion she was charged by a wild tiger – a moment she recreated on canvas when safely back in her studio!

"Pollyanna also braved temperatures as low as -60 on expedition into the snowbound wastelands of the Russian Far East to search for  the highly endangered Siberian Tiger.

"Here she lived in a log cabin in the forests without running water or electricity, walking across the frozen river every evening to full a bucket with water through a hole in the ice. 

"But all the hardships were worth it to get a sighting of a wild tiger – and sketch a family of cubs at a research station."

Previously unseen paintings and  sketches from the these journeys will be on display in the gallery, alongside artwork featuring  the wildlife which shares the tiger’s habitat – including elephants and leopards.

Also on display throughout will be Pollyanna's extensive ranges of books, greetings cards, fine art and limited edition prints, and a wide variety of gift ware featuring her work, including brand new sewing kits as launched live on television!  A sneak preview of next year’s charity Christmas cards will also be available. Pollyanna’s daughter and business partner Anna-Louise will be in her gallery throughout the exhibition and will be happy to chat to visitors.

 A minimum of ten per cent of all sales throughout the exhibition will be donated to worldwide conservation projects  through the Pollyanna Pickering Foundation.

 Full details can be found at www.pollyannapickering.co.uk