Marie Brown S.O.F.A.

I’m Marie, a full-time artist based in Nottingham. Inspired by a lifelong love of animals and nature, I discovered my passion for drawing animals more than 20 years ago. What began as a hobby developed alongside my work as an Embroidery Digitizer, creating designs on a computer – rather like drawing, but with stitches instead of pencil.

As I refined my skills in graphite pencil, it wasn’t long before I began creating pet portraits. Gradually, my hobby grew into a small side business that fitted around my job and raising my two children. Becoming a full-time artist has been a long journey, which gives me a real appreciation for being able to do what I love every day.

In 2020, as I launched my art career full-time, I also began to explore working in colour. It has been a journey of both challenge and joy. Alongside my graphite work, I now create in pastel and watercolour, choosing the medium that best suits each subject. Cats have always been one of my favourite subjects, thanks to my tortoiseshell companion, Fudge, who turned me into a true ‘cat person’.