Artist in residence 2025
Poole Farm
During the summer of 2025 I spent a month as Poole Farm’s first artist in residence, joining the workings of the farm, speaking with the different community groups that host activities on the site, and wandering the many different ecosystems that encompass Poole Farm. From the wild meadows, to the woodlands, to the cattle, pig and chicken enclosures, to the vegetable patch and of course to the Beaver enclosure. With my sketchbook I absorbed it all, and developed a series of work to capture this wonderful place and the work that goes on there.
The artworks are now permanently on display within Poole Farm’s newly opened Birch Eco Lodge, and a limited edition print series is available to purchase here.
What the residency was like…
Each day I arrived with my sketchbook and joined the many different groups that were on the farm. This ranged from helping the volunteers repair fences, to eco-therapy sessions with schools. In-between getting to know these groups and learning how they benefit from accessing this space, I also wandered around alone, with a cup of tea at hand sketching. From micro-upclose details of moss on hundred old trees, to sweeping meadows, it was all captured in my sketchbook. Then I reflected on the experiences and used the sketches to develop a series of three prints that encapsulate my experiences and that of those who visit Poole Farm.
The rivers of Poole Farm
This print is a tribute to the people who make Poole Farm a place of learning, wellbeing, and play. Inspired by the eco-therapy sessions, school groups, and volunteers surveying meadows and rivers, that I saw on site, this artwork captures the diverse ways communities come together to connect with nature.
This illustration is a reminder of the joy and resilience that comes from collective care for the natural world, and the good things that happen when we are in partnership with each other and the natural world.
The artworks
The beavers of Poole Farm
This print celebrates the magic of beavers and the amazing benefits that they bring to an ecosystem. This is inspired by hours spent watching Poole Farm’s night-time camera footage alongside evenings waiting by the enclosure at dusk to catch a glimpse of them in real life. Beavers are known as “ecosystem engineers,” creating wetlands that boost biodiversity and help with flood resilience.
This artwork captures their importance and highlights their return to the UK countryside, Poole Farm being one of the first sites in the UK to reintroduce beavers.
The butterflies of Poole Farm
One of the rarest and largest butterflies in the UK, this artwork captures the excitement of spotting the silver-washed fritillary for the first time at Poole Farm. Its vibrant presence represents the beauty and biodiversity thriving on site.
This piece celebrates not just the butterfly, but also the many creatures that call Poole Farm home. A image to remind us to cherish wildlife and the delicate balance of our ecosystems.