The Wildlife Artist Stephen Gayford! Poem by Denis Martindale

When I was but a little child, I sketched and painted, too.
And then by Nature was beguiled to do the best I do.
I seek each composition's style, comparing all the time,
Until I end up with a smile because it looks sublime.

This is my passion, my true love, as if this were life's plan,
One masterpiece proved not enough in doing what I can.
Sometimes I paint a group of frames, not one and one alone,
And when they're done, I give them names, that's how each one gets known.

A mirror helps when viewing art, transforming it once more,
So I can focus on each part with insights to explore.
The angles change to catch the light, with details well-portrayed,
A wondrous tale, a wondrous sight, so beauty cannot fade.

New inspiration proves a treat, before the paint goes dry
And, when a painting's called complete, I switch to frames nearby.
There may be two, three, four, or five, in sizes large and small,
Somehow, I make them come alive! Each one's a miracle!

Perhaps a thousand prints get sold, or fifty, sometimes less,
In fancy frames that shine like gold, enhancing happiness!
A thousand here, a thousand there, these are my legacy,
Creating art beyond compare, as modern tapestry!


Denis Martindale.21st June 2026.


Here is a new creative artist style poem by the Poemhunter poet Denis Martindale.

When he found this Stephen Gayford quote on the Internet, he decided to create a new poem to share. He was reminded of Bob Ross and his TV show, The Joy of Painting. That joy wasn't an immediate experience for Stephen Gayford. The joy comes in time, with the professional print productions of the paintings created for thousands and millions of art buyers to appreciate for generations to come.

Here is what the UK wildlife artist Stephen Gayford said,

'Painting, for me, has never been a hobby. It's not a relaxing experience - I feel compelled, even driven to paint. I have heard professional writers and sportsmen say the same. Since I was twelve, I have always painted. It is a passion, a labour of love. I dislike front light (i.e. the sun behind the observer) . I prefer back light. Or side light, or diffused light. As on a cloudy or dusty day. I love dust and mist because it portrays the volume of air between the objects.'

'I start with little sketches in pencil on an A5-sized pad. I may do one, two or twelve until I get the right composition. When painting, I have a large mirror behind me, and I sometimes view the painting in reverse. If something in the painting doesn't feel right to me, it becomes obvious in the reflection, and I can then easily correct it. People often ask how long it takes for me to do a painting. The answer is, I don't really know. I work on between two and ten at once. I like paintings when I first start them, as they have a simplicity. And the more I work on them, sometimes the further away (from the original inspiration) they can become. So I start another one. By the time I have started the third or fourth one, I can return to the first and work on it with a new inspiration.'