Beatrice Forshall

"I was born in South West France in 1992 where I spent most of my childhood. In 2003 we moved to Catalonia and in 2005 back to Britain. Ever since I was a child I have been interested in wildlife and my work mainly revolves around animals and conservation. I find the natural world an infinite source of inspiration.

"I began drypoint engraving during my last year at Falmouth College of Art. I very much like the graphic quality and the detail that can be achieved. From working into the metal, to the inking of the plate, the rolling of the press, there are many different things that contribute to the final image, and as well as those which I can control, there is also an element of surprise at the end of it. It is quite addictive.

"The world is undergoing the greatest mass extinction of species since that of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. These extinctions are symptoms of a process in which we play a leading role and which will make the planet a less beautiful place and our life here less comfortable, at best. We need to recognise that humans do not have overriding claims to the planet's resources and that this small miracle in a vast, hostile universe should be shared. Whatever the technological possibilities, it is necessary for our own survival and of those with whom we share the planet, that we consume less. I hope that my illustrations of endangered species will help to reconcile people to this unappealing prospect and make them realise that we are all paying a far greater price than that which is printed on the label.

"Currently a percentage of the sales of some of my prints goes towards frontline conservation projects."

A Wildlife Window: Hand-Painted Drypoint Engravings by Beatrice Forshall

And here's a short film to introduce Bea's The Book of Vanishing Species.