THERE is a feeling of the wilderness at the Flitch Gallery in Dunmow at the moment as it hosts an exhibition of the work by artist Natalie Mascall. The award-winning artist from Rayleigh in Essex is displaying a variety of lifelike pictures of wild animal

THERE is a feeling of the wilderness at the Flitch Gallery in Dunmow at the moment as it hosts an exhibition of the work by artist Natalie Mascall.

The award-winning artist from Rayleigh in Essex is displaying a variety of lifelike pictures of wild animals.

"I love all wildlife but especially that from Africa," said Miss Mascall. "I particularly like drawing the eyes. I find them intriguing and they tell a lot about an animal and I try to get that into my pictures."

Miss Mascall works in pastels and says they are messy to work with but allow her to achieve a great depth in her work. It is something that is beginning to get her recognised.

In October last year Miss Mascall won the Christopher Parsons Award at The Wildlife Art Society International in the four-piece category.

When asked about the future, she replies excitedly she is looking forward to going to the Bolivarian National Park where she will draw wolves and bears. "I've never had the chance to draw them in the wild before so I just can't wait."

The High Street exhibition runs until March 24.