Somerset wildlife artist Ruth Baker Walton was recently presented with The Wildlife Art Society International's prestigious Christopher Parsons Award for Artistic Excellence. To be eligible for consideration the artist must produce a portfolio of four specific paintings, all linked with a common theme.

Ruth was presented with the award by Simon Trapnell, Director of Nature in Art at Twigworth, Gloucester. Her portfolio consisted of four bird paintings under the theme 'It's a Birds Life' and two of the paintings sold during the exhibition, one on the Preview night.

The award was first presented in 2003 in honour of Christopher Parsons OBE, a Patron of the society and a former Head of the BBC Natural History Unit, Founder of the Wildscreen Film Festival who worked alongside people like Sir David Attenborough on series such as Life on Earth.

Since its inauguration many artists have entered their work in the society's Annual International Exhibition and this year it attracted more artists than ever before, which makes Ruth's achievement all the more satisfying. The Wildlife Art Society's exhibition was held for the third time at Nature in Art on the A38 just outside Gloucester.