AN artist from Four Marks known for her vibrant illustrations of wildlife and wild places has been shortlisted in this year’s Rural Business Awards.

Rachel Hudson, 45, greeted the news of her shortlisting in the South East’s Best Rural Creative Business category by saying she was thrilled her work is gaining wider recognition.

“I create illustrations that aim to delight and inspire people to connect with the natural world on their doorstep," she said.

"As an illustrator I believe it is my job to communicate to others a little of the joy I have felt in seeing something special and to help them to see that something special too. 

A passion for drawing started at an early age and in her late teens and early 20s Rachel studied the history of art for six years gaining a first-class degree from the College of Fine Art and then went on to gain her Masters.

Her artistic talent took her to art galleries in America and Ireland before returning to England to work for a wild life magazine covering Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxford for nine years.

She and her husband Richard, a health economist, moved to Four Marks, with sons Henry, 12, and Freddy, 9, five years ago and she made the decision to go freelance as an illustrator. She loves both wild life and wild places, “And” she said “Hampshire is the perfect fit and I especially love drawing the bird life. It fires me up.”

Rachel regularly stages exhibitions of her illustrations in galleries across Hampshire including Alton’s Allen Gallery ,and produces her own range of wildlife-themed greetings cards, fine art prints and giftware. She works in the environmental, public, commercial and publishing sectors, creating illustrations for magazines, interpretation sig ns, nature trails and events. 

Her clients include BBC Wildlife Magazine, The Wildlife Trust and Hampshire Cultural Trust and she is also closely involved in rural life. She illustrates village signs, giving talks and delivering workshops to local interest groups and schools to communicate her passion for wildlife and to give a peek behind her creative process.

The Royal Society of Wildlife Trust described Rachel’s as delightful. “She’s got an extraordinary way of bringing life and energy to wildlife subject and always exceeds our expectations with any work we’ve commissioned her.”

Since 2014,The Rural Business Awards (RBAs) aim to give recognition to businesses operating across the rural sector, to acknowledge the breadth and depth of opportunity presented by the Great British countryside, as well as to celebrate the achievements of rural businesses, from engineering through to artisan food producers and professional services organisations.

The 13 award categories, including best rural creative or media based business, are decided by an independent panel of judges drawn from the rural business sector, official agencies and rural charitable organisations. Winners for the South East region will be announced on October 24.

Rachel has a website that acts as “her shop” and to buy any of her work, visit rachelhudsonillustrator.com.