Welcome to my series of interviews with some wonderful people who work within the natural world, from zoo keepers, to museum curators and everything in between and those that are on the path to working in these positions too. Be inspired for a future where you can combine your love of nature with your day job. I hope you enjoy these interviews, that you can learn something from them and they can inspire you.

Now let me introduce you to Victoria.....

 

Name

Victoria Woolley

Age

44

Location

Somerset, UK

What do you do?

Zoologist and wildlife artist working in coloured pencils and wool. I work from home mainly but do spend time away as well and I am lucky my work is easy to travel with, well the smaller pieces anyway. 

How did you get into it? 

I studied a BSc in Zoology with Marine Zoology and an Msc in Wildlife Biology and Conservation and throughout my studies I worked as a wildlife photographer as well and this continued full time along with guiding and teaching until 2022 when an injury and major surgery meant I hard decision to change aspects of my work and that is when I changed to art. 

What made you want to do what you do?

From an early age I have always loved being in nature and around wildlife and have never wanted to do anything else as a career. 

What does it involve?

Quite surprisingly, as with the photography, it still involves a lot of background research about my subjects as well as collecting reference photos which where possible I take myself. The reference photos are very much a different approach though as I look for images from every angle rather than a specific image then I will work from several of these for one piece. With the drawings, each piece  takes between 20 and 30 hours and with the smaller wool sculptures anywhere between 3 to 5 hours and much longer for the more detailed and larger pieces. 

Another important part of my work is using my artwork and articles (which I still write when I have chance) to engage people with nature and wildlife and the plights they face and how we can help and run my own project called Forgotten Little Creatures that celebrates plants, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles through art, folklore, historical and scientific facts. 

Did you need any qualifications?

I would say no, but I have found that they help especially in terms of learning the science side of species and also to understand behaviours and enable better communication. 

Any tips for a young person that wants to do what you do?

Take every opportunity that you can to work with nature and organisations to gain as much experience of all aspects as possible. I'd say also look to gain other skills that you may not think are directly related to what you would like to do, for example the cave guiding really helped me gain the confidence to speak to groups of people, I gained managerial skills from working at a Premiership rugby club, so there are other skills that really help all round. 

What is the best part of what you do?

I absolutely love creating my art but the best and most rewarding part has to be being able to work with some many amazing people in the wildlife and conservation across the world to help raise awareness and funds for their work through my art. Many of these people have now become really good friends. 

What is the worst part of what you do?

It can be lonely at times, the bulk of my work is form home and I can go days without seeing another person especially as my husband works away. I do find a good routine really helps though. 

What is your favourite animal?

Frogs (and toads)

What was the first animal that you fell in love with?

Giant panda

What is your favourite place in nature?

My home county of Somerset. 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like reading, walking, swimming and just spending time with friends too. 

If you were not doing what you do now what else would you love to do?

Live in the rainforest photographing, researching and drawing frogs! 

Who inspires you?

Honestly, all the amazing people I get to work with, their passion and drive inspires me to create my art to help them. 

What are your hopes for the future?

I really hope I can continue to inspire and connect people with nature through my art and help raise further awareness and funds through my art and my blog that will be coming soon featuring articles on species that don't fit in my Forgotten Little Creatures Project. I would also love to do a second book for my Forgotten little Creatures project. 

Where can people find you?

www.forgottenlittlecreatures.com

Instagram & Facebook - woolley wildlife

Bluesky & X - NatureArtVic

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