Wildlife Illustrations by Phoebe Dee: Advocating for Wildlife Conservation by Drawing Childlike Wonders

Bristol-based illustrator Phoebe Dee creates colourful drawings of wildlife, often endangered ones, with a one-of-a-kind technique: by layering crayons on top of acrylic backgrounds. The results are pieces with an inherent childlike quality to them, conveying a sense of wonder towards the depicted animals as they float through playful imaginary spaces. These drawings recall childhood experiences spent marvelling at the world’s fauna, whether when encountering them in documentaries, books or visits to the zoo. 

This sense of wonder and reverence is important for everyone to recall as adults today, as many of these animals now require humanity’s help in order to evade the sixth mass extinction; a global mass extinction phenomenon that compares to the event which wiped dinosaurs from the planet. Unlike its predecessors, the sixth mass extinction has primarily been caused by human activity, with everything from climate change to habitat destruction adding fuel to the fire. This is why it is more than ever important to view wildlife with childlike wonder, so that everyone can see their importance for human life and the planet, making Dee’s work aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Life on Land and Life Below Water.

To further show her commitment to conserving wildlife, Dee has also partnered with International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals (IAPWA). This British charity works to garner funds for animal conservation and welfare efforts globally. To do this, Dee has created a series of apparel and merchandise with her designs to be sold. 80 percent of its profits will be donated to the IAPWA as part of its Art for Animals initiative. These funds will then be used for everything from saving endangered Filipino Pangolins from poachers to alleviating the medical costs of a street dog in Malaysia.

Phoebe Dee’s wildlife illustrations, created by layering crayons on acrylic techniques, inspire a sense of childlike wonder that reconnects audiences to the beauty and importance of the natural world. By depicting endangered species in playful, dreamlike spaces, her work reminds viewers of the urgency to revere and protect wildlife amid the sixth mass extinction caused by human activity. As demonstrated by her work with IAPWA, Dee’s oeuvre celebrates the marvel of wildlife and advocates for immediate action.

Find out more about wildlife illustrations and other pieces by Phoebe Dee on her website www.phoebedee.com or Instagram @phoebe.illustration.