Collection: Kristina Waddingham

Kristina Waddingham is a contemporary British wildlife artist based in Folkestone, Kent. Specializing in detailed oil portraits of wildlife, her work captures the intricate beauty of animals while championing conservation through art.

In 2022, she showcased her collection of African wildlife portraits as a guest artist at the hART 8th Annual Exhibition in Hythe. That same year, her paintings Blaizing Plains and Mutualism were featured at the Folkestone Art Group Exhibition. Through her art, Kristina strives to raise awareness and inspire a deeper connection to the natural world.

Artist Statement

As a wildlife artist, I focus primarily on the animals themselves, rather than the landscapes surrounding them. Through realistic, close-up portraits, I aim to capture the emotion in their expressions, particularly in their eyes, which I believe are the true windows to the soul. For me, painting is an intimate journey—one of connection and understanding—that deepens as each brushstroke brings the subject to life. It is through this process that a profound bond is formed between the animal and myself, a bond that resonates in every piece I create.

My approach to painting is highly intuitive, guided by the natural flow of the medium. I work in oil on canvas, drawn to its buttery consistency and slow drying time. This allows me to continuously manipulate the paint, layering brushstrokes until they achieve the depth and texture I’m after. I find that the way oil paint naturally blends and settles mimics the softness and organic randomness of nature, bringing a sense of fluidity and realism to my work.

On a broader level, my art is meant to forge a deep, emotional connection with the animals I paint. The bond we share with our pets comes naturally through familiarity, and I strive to evoke that same sense of closeness with wildlife through my work.

I believe the world is a better place when people feel connected to nature—a connection that is fading as the natural world faces increasing threats. If my paintings can help bridge that gap, inspiring even a small shift in awareness, then I hope they can play a role in fostering change.