There are some things a photograph captures perfectly.
Then there are those special subjects where a piece of art can bring out something different entirely.
That is very much the idea behind Lucy Chambers Wild at Art, a Hampshire based artist specialising in portraits of pets, wildlife, people and meaningful objects.
For Lucy Chambers, art has been a passion for a long time.
But like plenty of creative people, life and work meant there was not always enough time to sit down with pencils and paints. After years working in education, that changed when she returned to drawing pet portraits in 2024.
It soon became clear that this was much more than simply picking up an old hobby again.
Speaking to Rank Bolt about what inspired Lucy Chambers Wild at Art, she explained, “I’ve always loved drawing and painting, particularly wildlife, but teaching for a number of years did not leave much time for me to be creative. I picked up my pencils again in 2024 drawing pet portraits, which I absolutely loved.”
Since retiring from headship in 2025, she has been able to spend more time developing her artwork, from personal pet commissions to striking wildlife pieces. She has also entered juried competitions and exhibitions, while using her art to support conservation projects that matter to her.
So, for anyone looking for artwork that feels personal rather than mass produced, here are three reasons to consider Lucy Chambers Wild at Art.
1. Your portrait will actually mean something
A portrait of a pet is rarely just a picture of an animal.
Anyone who has ever had a dog staring at them while they eat a biscuit will understand that pets have very distinct personalities. Some are calm. Some are cheeky. Some somehow manage to look deeply offended because dinner arrived three minutes later than expected.
Capturing those little details is a big part of what makes the work from Lucy Chambers Wild at Art special.
There is a clear focus on making sure a portrait feels like the subject, rather than simply producing an accurate copy of a photograph.
Lucy Chambers explained, “There’s something incredibly special about capturing the likeness and personality of a much loved pet and creating something that has real meaning for its owner.”
That approach can make a commissioned portrait particularly special as a gift. It could mark a birthday, anniversary or another important moment. It could also be a way to remember a much loved pet that is no longer around.
And the same thinking goes beyond pet portraits. Lucy Chambers Wild at Art also creates portraits of people, wildlife and meaningful objects. The subject might look ordinary to somebody else, but have an enormous amount of personal meaning to the person commissioning it.
That is where original artwork can offer something a little different. The finished piece becomes connected to a story, memory or person rather than simply filling an empty space on the wall.
2. Colour gives every piece its own character
One of the most recognisable parts of the work produced by Lucy Chambers Wild at Art is the use of colour.
This is not simply about making a painting brighter. Colour is used to create mood, depth and personality.
Some of the shades used might not immediately be associated with the animal or subject being painted. But that is exactly the point. Instead of staying rigidly within the colours people expect to see, there is room to be a little more creative.
Lucy said, “Colour is at the heart of my work. I love using a broad and sometimes unexpected range of colours to create depth, atmosphere and impact.”
She added, “I’m particularly drawn to the colours that you might not initially expect to see in an animal or a scene, because I believe they can bring a painting to life and give it its own personality.”
That balance is important. A pet still needs to look like the pet its owner knows and loves. A piece of wildlife art still needs to capture the character of the animal. But there is also room for artistic style.
As Lucy puts it, “Whether I’m painting a much loved pet or a wild animal, I want to capture more than simply an accurate likeness. I want my paintings to have energy, character and emotion, while allowing the viewer to see the subject in a slightly different way.”
It means two pieces do not have to feel identical simply because they feature similar subjects.
For someone commissioning a piece, that can make the finished artwork feel far more individual. It is still recognisable, but there is personality in it too.
3. There is a real purpose behind the artwork
There is another side to Lucy Chambers Wild at Art that goes beyond creating paintings and portraits.
Wildlife has always been an important source of inspiration, and that interest has developed into a desire to support conservation through art.
The artist has supported initiatives including Sketch for Survival and the Snow Leopard Conservancy, bringing together two things that clearly matter to her, creativity and wildlife.
Lucy explained, “I’m also passionate about using my art for something bigger than myself. Being able to support wildlife conservation through my artwork makes what I do even more meaningful, and it’s something I hope to continue developing.”
That purpose is set to remain part of the future of Lucy Chambers Wild at Art.
After enjoying success with wildlife work in competitions and exhibitions, the aim is to continue building the portfolio, entering more juried events and experimenting with new subjects and different approaches to colour.
There are plans that could take things in another direction too.
Having spent many years working in education, Lucy Chambers would eventually like to combine that teaching experience with her art by offering classes and lessons.
She said, “Having spent many years working in education, the idea of combining my love of teaching with my love of art feels like a very natural next step.”
And there is a nice symmetry to that idea. After returning to art herself following years spent concentrating on a busy career, the next chapter could involve helping other people discover, or rediscover, their own creative side.
As Lucy explained, “Ultimately, I’d love Lucy Chambers Wild at Art to grow into something that not only showcases my own artwork, but also inspires other people to discover the joy and creativity that art can bring.”
For now, Lucy Chambers Wild at Art offers something refreshingly personal. Whether it is a portrait of a beloved pet, a piece inspired by wildlife, a person or an object with a story behind it, the focus is on creating artwork with genuine meaning.
And sometimes, the best pieces hanging on a wall are the ones that have a story attached to them.