The Story Behind Skylark Animal Art
Meet the artists, discover our process, and see the passion behind the work.
Skylark Animal Art
The Passion Behind the Paintings
Welcome. We’re Duncan Wardlow and Lesley Grace, the creative partners and hands behind the canvas. We founded Skylark Animal Art on a simple belief: art should have soul.
In a world of mass-produced decor, we wanted to get back to what makes art feel personal—a real story, a tangible quality, and a connection to the subject. For us, that connection is found in the wild beauty of nature and the unique spirit of the animals we share our lives with.
We’re a creative duo based in the South East. We share a passion for bold colour, authentic materials, and art that makes you feel something.
Who we are
Skylark Animal Art, a tale of art and love!
In 2020 we were two artists living in different corners of England and doing our own thing. Late in 2021 things changed slightly when Duncan and Lesley met in person and their love began to grow. (We actually met in North Yorkshire but that’s splitting hairs). After many chats and phone calls, we decided to join forces and that’s when Skylark Animal Art came into the world. An idea which we both embraced enthusiastically, where we would be producing art together from our studio in East Sussex.
Both inspired by a love of nature, painting animals and landscapes.
Meet Lesley
About the Artist
I am an oil painter inspired by the quiet wisdom of nature, the emotional presence of animals, and the unseen connections that exist between the artist, the subject, and the viewer. My studio practice is rooted in observation, intuition, and a deep appreciation for the unique energy that each living being carries.
From an early age, I felt most at home in the natural world. The rhythm of seasons, shifting light, and organic textures still guide my work today. Nature is not just my subject — it is my teacher. Oil paint allows me to explore this connection with depth and intention: the medium’s richness, flexibility, and slow-drying nature give me space to build layers, create atmosphere, and translate feeling into form.
One of the most meaningful aspects of my practice is painting pet portraits. Animals, especially the companions who walk through our lives, reflect our emotions in profound and unspoken ways. Their loyalty, sensitivity, and intuitive understanding of human energy inspire me endlessly. When someone commissions a portrait, I don’t just paint what I see — I paint what I feel. My goal is to capture the spark of personality, the soul behind the eyes, the essence of a bond that words cannot fully express.
I am particularly drawn to the esoteric relationship between the study (the reference or source), the artist, and the client. Every portrait feels like a collaboration occurring on multiple levels — visual, emotional, and energetic. I believe that paintings carry intention, and that energy becomes part of the finished work. Many clients tell me their portrait feels alive, or that it brings a sense of peace or comfort into their space. That connection — that shared experience — is at the heart of why I paint.
Through my art, I hope to offer more than imagery. I hope to offer presence, emotion, and a moment of stillness — an invitation to feel.
Welcome to my world. I’m grateful you’re here.
Meet Duncan
Duncan remembers very clearly his art teacher at secondary school, attempting to encourage a more expansive and free flowing method of working. For many years he continued to ‘play it safe’, painting small things in fine detail.
There was quite a break from painting in his early adult life, as all the other distractions of life took his attention, but as we do, Duncan came back to painting around 2010.
He has always been attracted to nature, especially birds, and this influenced much of Duncan’s early work, still staying safe with familiar subjects.
Things started to change when he began looking at the shape and form of different objects in a more abstract way and by allowing ideas to flow freely. Making notes for later reflection or fine tuning, always carrying a notepad for those visual hints or notes of overheard conversations which sparked an idea.
Duncan would then begin creating work which was sometimes inspired by world events, political statements or ideas which he felt were slightly unusual. Duncan feels that as he grows older, he is no longer afraid to express his thoughts through his creativity.
Working mainly with acrylic paints, Duncan likes to experiment with his paintings these days and the subjects are as varied as the ideas within his mind.
Our Guiding Philosophy
Our connection to the environment is more than just inspiration—it’s the foundation of our artistic philosophy. We believe nature is the ultimate artist, and we are simply trying to capture a fraction of its honesty and soul.
This deep respect guides everything we do. It’s in the way we see the personality in a pet’s eyes, the wild spirit in an animal, or the light on a landscape. Our art is our celebration of the natural world.
Let's Start the Conversation
Whether you’re ready to commission a custom portrait, have a question about a piece in our shop, or just want to say hello, we’d love to hear from you.