AN artist shortlisted to take part in a national art competition has been “highly commended” at an exhibition in London.

Of the 136 artists, Jayne Perkins, from Sherfield-on-Loddon, was among those whittled down to appear in the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition from June 28 to July 2 at Mall Galleries.

The competition, launched in 2007 to raise awareness and funds for endangered wildlife, brings together the world’s best wildlife artists in seven categories, from Earth’s Beautiful Creatures to Urban Wildlife, featuring more than 130 original works that challenge preconceptions of wildlife art.

It had a top prize of £10,000 sponsorship cash, with the winner selected by judges ahead of a private viewing and prize-giving evening in the capital.

While Jayne’s entry – titled ‘Waiting’, which depicts a tiger ready to pounce – didn’t win top prize, she said it was highly commended by judges and gallery visitors.

Her work interprets the beauty of landscape and fascinating behaviour of its wildlife, and she takes inspiration from the different parts of the world in which she has lived and worked.

After graduating from the Bath Academy of Art, the 71 year old pursued a career in teaching art in many schools around the world.

But it was on a tour of India with her husband that Jayne drew the inspiration for her award nominated piece.

She explained: “It came from a trip to Ranthambore National Park two years ago where we were lucky enough to stalk a a tiger on its way to the watering hole.”

After witnessing such a predator it was an easy choice for the painter in turning it into one of her watercolours.

Competition manager Nina Neve said of the competition: ”The sheer diversity of media and form this year has created an extraordinary celebration of the natural world and a huge challenge for the judges.

“Deciding between a fox, skilfully crafted from metal and a classic oil of a brooding tiger will make selecting the overall winner extremely hard.”

David Shepherd, wildlife artist and conservationist, said ahead of the event: “I set up my foundation with the sole purpose of giving something back to the animals that helped me achieve success as an artist.

“At a time when the world’s wildlife is under such devastating pressure from expanding human populations and the illegal trade it seems fitting that we take a step back and reflect on the sheer beauty and diversity of our natural world and what could be lost if we do not truly appreciate the value of the world around us.”

Everything on show in the exhibition was up for sale, with profits supporting the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s wildlife conservation projects across Africa and Asia where, since 2007, the event has raised more than £320,000 to help protect some the world’s most endangered wildlife.