The Animal Butchers – 17” x 20” Oil on Panel, 2001.

This picture originated from a commission I received to paint a sign for a pub called ‘The Jolly Butchers’. I produced two sketches for the perusal of the owners; one depicted three butchers merrily quaffing ale whilst the other was a simplified version of the image you are looking at. To my disappointment the owners opted for the former. I have long been an admirer of pictures showing situations where humans and animals have changed places; the French illustrator Grandville springs to mind. I decided to paint my own ‘Topsy Turvy World’ picture and this image of a traditional pub full of British wildlife is the result.

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