Ashley Saunders

(9 products)

Introduction to Ashley Saunders Artist: Whimsical Animal Art and Wildlife Prints

Ashley Saunders, a self-taught UK artist renowned for his vibrant animal art and limited edition wildlife prints, masterfully infuses farmyard creatures with playful personalities that leap off the canvas. Remarkably, his signature style was profoundly shaped by hands-on days at a Lake District animal sanctuary, where tending to rescued animals revealed their hidden quirks and sparked a lifelong quest to immortalise their joyful spirits in acrylics and pastels, turning everyday rural encounters into heartwarming masterpieces.

Drawing from the lush Suffolk countryside and the serene wilds of the Lake District, Ashley Saunders' artwork captures the essence of British wildlife with light-hearted charm and meticulous detail. His limited edition prints and originals, featuring everything from cheeky hares to contented cows, blend bold colours and soft textures to evoke smiles and a deep appreciation for nature’s gentle humour.

From his sanctuary-inspired beginnings to his celebrated series of quirky country animals, Ashley Saunders' oeuvre brims with warmth and whimsy. His signed prints and original paintings, alive with expressive forms and inviting narratives, beckon collectors to celebrate the delightful world of animal art that connects us to the rhythms of rural life.

Ashley Saunders Biography: Journey of a UK Wildlife Artist

Born: St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK

Ashley Saunders was born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, a historic city where his early passion for drawing took root amid vibrant markets and verdant outskirts. From childhood, sketching animals became a cherished outlet, setting the stage for a career driven by self-taught dedication rather than formal training.

Eschewing traditional art education, Saunders immersed himself in the subjects that inspired him most: the animals and landscapes of Britain’s countryside. A transformative period came during his time at a Lake District animal sanctuary, where he cared for rescued creatures, from shy foxes to lively farmyard residents. These hands-on experiences, filled with feeding routines and quiet observation, revealed the unique personalities of each animal, elevating his sketches into vivid portraits brimming with character and empathy.

Now based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, Saunders has found a creative haven in the region’s rolling fields and ancient woodlands. His garden studio offers a front-row view of the countryside’s rhythms, with regular family holidays to the Lake District providing fresh inspiration from its misty fells and elusive wildlife. This deep connection to nature fuels his work, blending technical precision with an intuitive understanding of his subjects.

Today, Ashley Saunders maintains a prolific output of original animal artworks and limited edition prints, earning a devoted following across the UK. His commitment to capturing the unpretentious joy of rural life shines through in every piece, reflecting both skill and a profound respect for the creatures he portrays. Through bespoke commissions and gallery collaborations, he continues to evolve, crafting wildlife art that resonates with authenticity and charm.

Ashley Saunders Achievements: Milestones in Wildlife Art

Ashley Saunders’ rise as a leading UK animal artist, through his distinctive wildlife prints and expressive originals, includes:

Developing a unique self-taught style, shaped by immersive work at a Lake District animal sanctuary, infusing Ashley Saunders’ artwork with authentic emotional depth
Establishing a Suffolk-based studio that channels the region’s natural beauty into acclaimed series of quirky farmyard and wildlife prints, distributed through select UK galleries
Creating bespoke commissions that capture the essence of beloved pets and wildlife, using acrylic vibrancy and pastel subtlety to craft heirloom-quality animal art
Releasing ongoing collections of whimsical wildlife paintings, from playful hares to serene cows, resonating with collectors seeking the charm of British countryside
Building a national reputation for Ashley Saunders’ animal prints and originals, evoking the therapeutic calm of rural life and nature’s joyful narratives

Ashley Saunders’ Artistic Style: Quirky Animal Portraits

Ashley Saunders’ captivating style in animal art and wildlife prints blends acrylic boldness with pastel softness, where each brushstroke imbues creatures with mischievous grins or soulful gazes that echo their real-life quirks. Working primarily on canvas and paper, he layers vibrant hues to capture sunlight filtering through Suffolk hedgerows, while delicate pastel accents highlight textured fur or alert ears. Themes of rural whimsy and compassionate observation dominate, with recent works exploring seasonal shifts—from autumnal fox prowls to springtime lamb frolics—adding narrative depth to Ashley Saunders’ prints and originals, making them cherished additions for lovers of uplifting British wildlife art.