Hello and thank you for stopping by!
My name is Aga Grandowicz and, after a long and successful career in graphic design and advertising, I decided to dedicate more of my time to wildlife illustration and everything else that is biodiversity-related.
I use nature to connect with the world and others. In a world where wildlife and biodiversity are under such threat, this feels like important work. For me, capturing living things as they go about their day, uninterrupted and unaware of just how magical they are, feels like an opportunity to preserve and prolong their life. The artwork allows them to exist long after their purpose has been fulfilled, giving recognition to the crucial role they play and the feelings they inspire in us.
My trusted black pen is my tool of choice. I love how it marks the page, its softness and the range of pressure and shade it offers. I draw on white paper and use a surface that’s rough enough to create a tactile experience that brings the audience as close as possible.
I’m drawn to projects with purpose, creating something that’s not just beautiful but useful and informative. Like nature books or large-scale murals that help visitors and locals connect with the community they’re in.
My most recent work has been focused on drawing endangered animal species, which feels like time well spent. We’re losing so much in the natural world at the hands of humans, so I’m using my work to help people play a more positive role.
I truly believe art has healing qualities and if my drawings can help even one person, place or plant to thrive, then I might just have the most rewarding job in the world.
Within this website, you’ll see a selection of my illustrations and drawings, mostly related to Wildlife Illustration / Natural History Illustration. They are available to buy as prints, cards and original wildlife art – check my Store page to see my wildlife artwork for sale. You can also commission illustrated information boards or even a mural. My artwork would also be suitable for nature books, calendars, wildlife posters, brochures, wildlife magazines – please get in touch to discuss if you’re interested in.
In my online shop, I also sell some of the illustrations that have been featured in my books – Dr Hibernica Finch’s Compelling Compendium of Irish Animals and Remarkable Creatures: a guide to some of Ireland’s disappearing animals.
My wildlife artwork covers various species, such as Mammal illustrations, Bird illustrations, Fish illustrations, Insects illustrations, Botanical illustrations, Reptile & Amphibian illustrations and Invertebrate illustrations.
As a wildlife illustrator and nature lover, I have a particular interest in small mammals and birds.
To see more of my artwork, including photos of work in progress – please check my Instagram feed which I update on a regular basis.
My ideal project would be a children’s or adults’ book about wildlife or domesticated animals, or anything that would incorporate wildlife art – top-end restaurants or hotels decor, signage for zoos, parks and wildlife reserves.
Contact
contact@aga-grandowicz.com
(+353) 85 715 3449
YouTube
Instagram: aga.grandowicz
LinkedIn: Aga Grandowicz
Twitter: @AgaGrandowicz
Based in Rathfarnham, Dublin, Ireland.
Recent activity:
- Provided illustrations for two biodiversity and heritage boards for Timahoe, Co. Laois.
- Illustrated the birds diary for a Polish publisher – Eurograf.
- Artist in residence in McAuley Place in Sallins for 4 weeks; provided art workshops for adults and children.
- Illustrated three pollinators-friendly planting schemes for the Welsh government, and two for National Biodiversity Data Centre, Ireland.
- Illustrated a children's book by Bernardine Mulryan – ‘Blue tit chick’, published by Natural World Publishing, available in my shop here or from the publisher.
- Written, illustrated and designed a children's book – ‘Remarkable Creatures: a guide to some of Ireland’s disappearing animals’, published by Natural World Publishing, available in my shop here or from bookstores nationwide.
- Created and licensed illustrations for Tullamore D.E.W. Honey label.
- Created an illustrated video about bees. It's available on my YouTube channel here.
- Set up a new business – Natural World Design – providing design and illustration services for projects related to wildlife and biodiversity.
- Introduced wildlife letters for children – Happy Wildlife Post (out of stock now).
- Created an illustrated information board about my local birds, sponsored by my local County Council.
- Created drawings for County Cork's two colouring books about the County’s Heritage and Biodiversity.
- Provided illustrations for Leitrim County Council’s Heritage brochure.
- Provided illustrations for Dun Laoghiare-Rathdown County Council.
- Illustrated and designed an information board for Kilcolman, Offaly County Council.
- Providing on a regular basis drawing workshops, combined with fun animals facts – run for children in various Irish venues, mostly at book and family festivals, but also in libraries – please check here for more details.
- Participated in RTE Kids workshop and interview.
- Created, together with Rob Maguire, a children's book 'Dr Hibernica Finch’s Compelling Compendium of Irish Animals', published in October 2018 by Little Island and shortlisted for Irish Books Awards 2018 in the Best Irish-Published category, CBI's Book of the Year Award 2019 (and won me Award for Illustration in the latter one), and for the Literacy Ireland Children's Book Award 2019.
- Created new Youtube video slide shows:
Wildlife illustrations by Aga Grandowicz
Aga Grandowicz – DRAWINGS
Designing and illustrating a heritage board for Kilcolman, Co. Offaly, Ireland
Recent exhibitions:
- Wildly Wonderful World of Dr Hibernica Finch, LexIcon, Dun Laoghaire, part of Mountains to Sea Book Festival, March 2019.
- Irish Animals, Airfield, Overends, Dublin, from December 2018.
- Trees of Marlay Park, Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland, Dublin, 2018.
Selected awards:
- Awarded two art grants in 2022.
- Awarded an art grant in 2020 from South Dublin County Council.
- Awarded an honour Award for Illustration at CBI’s Book of the Year Award 2019, for Dr Hibernica Finch’s Compelling Compendium of Irish Animals.
- Awarded a heritage grant in 2019 to provide wildlife illustrations for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
- Shortlisted for Literacy Ireland Children’s Book Award 2019, for Dr Hibernica Finch’s Compelling Compendium of Irish Animals.
- Shortlisted for Irish Books Awards 2018 in the Best Irish-Published category, for Dr Hibernica Finch’s Compelling Compendium of Irish Animals.
- Silver award at An Post Smart Marketing Awards, Dublin, 2019.
- Bronze award at An Post Smart Marketing Awards, Dublin, 2016.
- Four Gold, two Silver and two Bronze awards at An Post DMA, Dublin, 2014.
- Winner in ‘Direct Marketing’ category – at All Ireland Marketing Awards, Dublin, 2014.
- Silver award in category ‘Best Utility’ – at An Post DMA, Dublin, 2012.
- Exhibiting her posters in poster biennials around the world; recently at the 1st Ecuador Poster Bienal, at the 14th International Poster Biennial in Mexico, at the 8th International Triennial of Stage Poster in Sofia, 2016.
- Two Gold awards in categories Smartest Advertising and Smartest Integrated Campaign for GUINNESSPlus; client: Diageo Ireland, 2013.
- Two Gold awards in categories ‘Best Over-all Creative’ and ‘Best Direct Mail Low Volume’ – at An Post DMA, Dublin, 2010.
photo: Alek Nowak, 2019.