Artists

The fine quality of our country Christmas cards starts with superb artwork.  For this we thank our partners, the artists, all of whom are leaders in their particular fields.  There are none finer in Britain today.

Elizabeth Halstead

Elizabeth Halstead, who lives and works in south west Scotland, has become widely recognised as a sporting artist par excellence with important commissions from many of the greatest estates in the land.  Her dynamic studies of British game and fauna come from personal experience in the field and are highly prized as true representations, whether deer on the hill or pheasant in the woods.  www.elizabeth-halstead.com

Michael Herring

Michael Herring from Norfolk is a master of nostalgia.  His wide ranging subjects focus on country life, often reminiscing on times not so long ago when the current senior generation were learning their craft.  Herring’s paintings faithfully recall the fine detail of the machinery, tools, paraphernalia and appearance of how we lived and worked.  Michael Herring oil paintings are also occasionally available- contact Society Cards Studios 01750 32782.

John Wood

John Wood has the ability to create beautiful watercolours of typical working countryside scenes that seem so familiar.  Based in Yorkshire, his paintings blend the beauty of northern winters with the warmth of everyday human activity.  The Wood brothers, John and Kevin, have a gallery in Barnsley Tel:01226 249281

Martin Ridley

Martin Ridley, an award winning wildlife artist in the Highlands of Scotland, is totally dedicated to the portrayal of British wildlife, birds, animals and fish in their natural habitat.  Each of Ridley’s paintings is a major piece of work and current work in progress can often be seen on his website.  www.martinridley.com

Leon Olin

Leon Olin is essentially a landscape painter working in oils and watercolour from his studio in Wales.  His quest for the totally authentic detail of his subjects whether tractor, farm machinery or animals is recognised by dedicated collectors and his paintings are to be found in Royal collections as well as private and civic galleries.
www.leonolin.com

Michael Kitchen-Hurle

Michael Kitchen-Hurle is principally known for his exciting studies of African wildlife, with many successful art exhibitions and commissions to his credit.  As Kitchen-Hurle’s special productions of British country life for Society Cards shows, his remarkable skills of observation and draughtsmanship produce a unique quality of expression in his animal subjects.

Simon Mendez

Simon Mendez was born in York in 1975 and has loved to draw for as long as he can remember. His father, an illustrator and designer, was always a great inspiration to him and father and son would often work together on drawings while Simon was a child.

Leslie Stones

Leslie's work is strongly influenced by the countryside in which he grew up, on various farms in North Yorkshire. Born in 1957, from an early age he was always sketching and painting the farm animals and rural landscape around him.  www.lesliestones.co.uk

Thuline de Cock

A resident of rural Kendal, Thuline enjoys the gathering of information as much as the painting. Many animals are just like humans, they have their own characters. Their faces show expressions and a curiosity that never stop to amaze and fascinate.  www.thuline.com

Sylvia Gainsford

After many years painting and exhibiting at the highest levels Sylvia Gainsford now operates from her studio/gallery in Pembrokeshire where she focuses on the use of acrylic paint to capture the vibrancy and richness of the local landscape.  The resulting appeal of her work, which can be seen in her Pembrokeshire studio gallery, has gained many accolades from Society Cards’ customers.  www.sylviapgainsford.com