Toad Walking by John Norris Wood

The Land Gallery would like to extend its warm congratulations to John Norris Wood who has been awarded a Professorship by Southampton University. Formerly the visiting Professor of Natural History illustration at the Royal College of Art, John celebrated his award by running a drawing class at the University. Seven birds of prey were brought into the studio to be drawn by students, according to John's keen desire for artists to know wildlife through drawing. Some of the birds of prey were allowed to fly freely in the drawing studio.

Frogs & Newts @ The Land Gallery: Smooth Newts by John Norris Wood

John was formerly a Visiting Professor at the Royal College of Art, within the Natural History Illustration and Ecological Studies post graduate course, which he founded over 30 years ago. He trained at the East Anglian School of Art & Design, Goldsmiths and the RCA where he gained a degree with honours and a silver medal for zoological drawings.

He has exhibited his works of Art throughout the UK including the Victoria and Albert Museum, Redfern Gallery, Natural History Museum, Royal Academy, and the Society of Wildlife Artists.

Alongside producing beautiful books for children, John has worked as a freelance illustrator for London Zoo, the Post office and the Radio Times.

Apart from his outstanding artistic abilities John is also a tireless enviromentalist.

As part of the Summer Drawing Classes for AlumniRCA members, Professor John Norris Wood will be running a course titled “Natural forms/drawing from Nature.”

The class is due to take place on Wednesday, 16th September 2009, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

If you are an Alumni of the Royal College of Art, London, please contact Mark Parkin on 020 7590 4115 or send him an e-mail.