Ben Waddams is a highly celebrated British wildlife artist, whose refined technique and astounding eye for detail have seen him gain a reputation as one of Britian’s finest wildlife artists. Callaghans of Shrewsbury are pleased to be showcasing our extensive collection of works by this prolific oil painter, with over 30 works currently in stock in the gallery.

Originally from Buckinghamshire, Southeast England, Ben Waddams developed an enjoyment in painting from an early age – he was introduced to painting by his grandmother, who herself was a painter and encouraged his talent.

After graduating with a First-Class degree in Fine Art in 2006, Ben travelled extensively throughout Central America, Africa and the United States, where he gained a lot of inspiration for paintings and took many photographs from which he worked. His technical painting abilities coupled with a great interest in wildlife allowed him to create beautiful depictions of animals in their natural habitat, seemingly undisturbed by humans. As stated by Waddams himself, "I have been lucky enough to have lived and travelled through some truly mesmerising areas of the world, and this is where I take my inspiration from.”

One of Waddams’ paintings’ most outstanding features is the incredible detail with which his subjects are portrayed. Each whisker, feather, and tiny hair of the animals are all displayed with stunning precision, making his works some of the most lifelike yet stylised that we exhibit. The dedication behind such exquisite detail is evident, and Waddams’ great passion for the natural world is clear in his loving depictions of tiny field mice with soft dark eyes, little rabbits poised to run at any moment, delicate birds with their beaks open in song, and the refined yet majestic wings of soaring owls. His oil paintings possess a powerful tranquillity which one cannot help but marvel at – a window out of the world of the human and into that of the animal.

In 2010, Waddams was a finalist on the BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year competition, having gone from strength to strength since debuting as a wildlife artist. His works are exhibited in many prestigious collections and popular among private collectors. Ben Waddams lives in Shropshire, where he continues to gather inspiration from the county’s rural hills and woods home to beautiful English wildlife.

If you’re interested in one of Waddams’ stunning artworks to add a touch of rural charm to your wall, simply pop into the gallery in Shrewsbury for a coffee and a chat with a member of our team, or simply enquire online or by telephone.