Caroline Bletsis

I am a self-taught artist from an artistic family - both my grandmothers were talented artists, as was my mother and uncle. I specialise in animal paintings, both wild and domestic, but also paint landscapes, portraits and still life. I use watercolours, coloured pencils, and acrylics.

I am a member of Fleet Art Society, The Wildlife Art Society, & the Marwell International Wildlife Art Society and have exhibited paintings at London Zoological Society, Bristol Zoo, Port Lympne Zoo, The Mall Galleries, Patchings Art Festival, Rookesbury Park, and Best of Hampshire Artists at Hillier Gardens, Romsey, as well as local exhibitions in Fleet and Farnborough.

I have been selected seven years running to be exhibited in the national wildlife painting competition PAWS, and won the Best Watercolour in 2003 and the Joyce Chaffin Award in the 2004 'all-time winners' final PAWS exhibition. I also took part in Channel 4's Watercolour Challenge in 2000 and was a Hampshire regional finalist.

Published work includes two illustrations in the Tony Paul book 'How to Create Texture in your Paintings', a series of 50 pen and wash illustrations in a set of educational story books for children with emotional difficulties and a Christmas card! I have been commissioned to provide the tin illustration and a tutorial for Derwent's selection of pencils 'Just Add Water', as well as two Inktense collections and the packaging for their Academy watercolour pencils.

I have currently been working on a series of pet portrait commissions, as well as illustrations for two calendars featuring puppies and kittens. I have illustrated a book about potatoes as well - The People's Potatoes by Alan Wilson. I also design, make and sell items of jewellery and knitted accessories.

Most recently I have knitted sets, props and animal characters for the all knitted animated film Nudinits.

**Please note all artworks remain the copyright of the artist and cannot be reproduced