Violet Astor
Violet Astor is a Devon based artist who taught herself how to draw during the years she was chronically ill with Lyme disease. Violet has travelled the world collaborating with governments and NGOs to celebrate wildlife as well as raise awareness and funds for endangered species. She also holds talks in schools and to the travel industry to promote the protection of the environment.
Violet uses natural and ethically sourced materials in all her work. She makes her own charcoal and paint as well as drawing on paper recycled from coffee cups. Her adventures have found her mixing soils from Arabian Leopard territory in Oman to learning ancient traditions of boiling roots and leaves to create dye from remote Papua New Guinean tribes. She is currently home based raising her young family and can be found foraging soil, clay and rocks around Devon to create authentic British wildlife pieces.
'Gold Leopard' Limited Edition Signed Giclee Print ( Taken from an Original Charcoal and Gold Leaf Drawing on paper painted with pigment from soil and rocks from Oman)
Framed - £450 3/50 (framed size -69cm x 52cm, Image size - 42cm x 56cm)
Mounted - £145 12/25 (Mounted size - 40cm x 52cm, image size - 29cm x 40cm )
‘This piece was created as the auction piece for my solo ‘Wild Oman’ Exhibition held in Muscat in 2019. The exhibition was a collaboration with Oman’s Ministry of Heritage & Culture and the Environment Society of Oman and sponsored by Land Rover. A silent auction was held on the opening night and 100% of the proceeds were donated to support the Environment Society of Oman’s Raptures Project.
The Leopard in the original artwork was 59cm from shoulder to paw, which would be the approximate size of a small adult female Arabian Leopard. It was created using soil collected from Leopard territory in Salalah, the south of Oman and gold leaf.’
'Arabian Leopard' Limited Edition Signed Giclee Print ( Taken from an Original Charcoal Drawing)
Framed - £595 AP (Framed size -84cm x 63cm, Image size - 54cm x 76cm)
Mounted - £295 4/50 (Mounted size - 68cm x 52cm, image size - 42cm x 57cm )
‘Oman is said to have the highest population of Arabian Leopards. I went trekking to search for them; however, they are incredibly elusive so having not been able to see one firsthand, I used identifying markings from those caught in camera trap images to represent an authentic Arabian Leopard in my drawing.’
'Gold Leopard Profile' Limited Edition Signed Giclee Print (( Taken from an Original Charcoal and Gold Leaf Drawing on paper painted with pigment from soil and rocks from Oman))
Mounted - £145 8/25 (Mounted size - 41cm x 53cm, image size - 29cm x 43cm )
'Reflection' Limited Edition Signed Giclee Print ( Taken from an Original Charcoal Drawing)
Mounted - £145 8/25 (Mounted size - 41cm x 52cm, image size - 42cm x 29.5cm )
‘I watched this tiger attempt a kill with its mother, charging through the forest after a herd of chital deer. I could only hear the noise and flashes of colour. The hunt was brief and unsuccessful. Tigers are said to only succeed in about 5% to 10% of their attempts to make a kill, which is quite an amazing statistic when you see the power they exhort and the time needed to rest after.’
'Gold Tawny Owl' Limited Edition Signed Giclee Print ( Taken from an Original Charcoal and Gold Leaf Drawing on paper painted with pigment from soil and rocks on Exmoor)
Unmounted - £125 2/20 (Image size - 42cm x 30cm )
‘The original artwork was created using charcoal, gold leaf, soil and rocks collected from in and around Exmoor National Park. Rocks are crushed in a pestle and mortar and then sieved and ’cleaned’ in water. Once the pigment is dry, the process happens again one or two times to ensure that it is smooth and clean. It is then mixed with linseed oil and used as paint.’
'Tawny Owl' Limited Edition Signed Giclee Print ( Taken from an Original Charcoal Drawing on paper painted with pigment from soil and rocks on Exmoor)
Unmounted - £65 1/25 (Image size - 21cm x 30cm ) - SOLD
‘The original artwork was created with charcoal and coloured using soil collected from in and around Exmoor National Park. ThePark has over 9300 hectares of woodland including some truly important sites and some very rare species of trees and a perfect habitat for the Tawny owl. The iconic "tu-whit; tu-who" call is not one bird, but a duet between a male and female.’
'Tiggy; the Exmoor Pony' Limited Edition Signed Giclee Print ( Taken from an Original Charcoal Drawing on paper painted with pigment from soil and rocks on Exmoor)
Unmounted - £125 5/20 (Image size - 42cm x 30cm )
'Arabian Oryx - Unicorn of the Desert' Original Charcoal on Grey Paper
Framed - £1,950 ( Framed size - 85cm x 64cm - Image size - 73cm x 53cm)
Violet writes: ‘The Arabian Oryx is Oman’s cultural symbol. They were nicknamed ‘Unicorn of the Desert’ due to their pristine white fur and horns which, seen from a certain side angle, appear to be a single horn. It is what is thought to have led to the myth of the unicorn.
The last wild Oryx was poached in the early 1970’s making the species officially extinct in Oman. But thanks to His late Majesty Sultan Qaboos, and a team of scientists, a project was set up to reintroduce the Oryx back into the wild in its native desert. I had the privilege of meeting the project lead, Dr Mark Stanley Price, who shared his magnificent photographs from the time including the joy of the local Bedu tribe to see the beautiful Oryx back in their natural habitat.
In 2019, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Sultans palace in Muscat, in which there is a satellite breeding project. There I was able to study the Arabian Oryx up close in preparation for producing works for my 2019 ‘Wild Oman’ Exhibition, which was a collaboration with the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, & the Environment Society of Oman held in Muscat with the aim or raising awareness and funds for Omans endangered species.’
'Chupake - Stealth' Limited Edition Signed Giclee Print ( Taken from an Original Charcoal Drawing)
Framed - £450 1/50 (Framed size -79cm x 63cm, Image size - 59cm x 45cm)
Mounted - £145 1/25 (Mounted size - 51cm x 40cm, image size - 41cm x 30cm )
Violet writes ‘In 2017, I spent a magical few hours with this adolescent tiger, whilst on a project with Sujan in Ranthambore National Park in India. I watched it practicing all its best moves on a butterfly; crouching low, creeping and pouncing. The scene was comical and heart breaking as the fearsome young tiger had not yet got the stealth or speed needed to make its kill. Luckily, it was still under the supervision of its mother who would provide food until fully grown and possessing all the skills to take down prey on its own.’
'Mountain Gorilla' Limited Edition Signed Giclee Print ( Taken from an Original Charcoal Drawing)
Framed - £395 - 14/50 (Framed size -59cm x 60cm, Image size - 40cm x 44cm)
Violet writes ‘This piece was my first ever detailed wildlife charcoal drawing. It was inspired by watching ‘Virunga’, a documentary about a group of brave people risking their lives to protect the last remaining mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park in the heart of war-ravaged Congo. At the time of watching the documentary, I was so ill with Lyme Disease that I was barely able to leave my attic room at the top of my sister’s house, so I started to draw to lose myself in something that I felt passionate about. And that is when this gorilla came to life. I lived with these eyes watching my every move for the many months it took me to complete it. And it turned out to be the beginning of an amazing journey with drawing and wildlife conservation’
'African Elephant' Signed Limited Edition Giclee Print. ( Taken from an Original Charcoal Drawing)
Framed - £450 19/50 (framed size -74cm x 60cm, Image size - 58cm x 42cm) SOLD
Mounted - £75 - 5/250 (Mounted size - 33cm x 41cm, image size - 21cm x 28cm )
Framed - £450 32/50 (framed size -77cm x 62cm, Image size - 58cm x 42cm) SOLD
Mounted - £145 9/25 (Mounted size - 55cm x 45cm, image size - 41cm x 30cm ) SOLD (can order)
Mounted - £145 SOLD 8/25 (Mounted size - 55cm x 45cm, image size - 41cm x 30cm )
‘This piece was my second ever charcoal drawing done when I was housebound with Lyme Disease. Unknowingly, it was the beginning of my artistic career, but at the time it was a true escapism when life was tough so I hold the memory of creating it very dearly. I was particularly interested in focusing on the intricate details of the elephant but wanted to make it large scale. I had time on my hands so I could delve deeply into each line, crease and wrinkle and be taken away, in my imagination, to a close encounter with an elephant on a small island on the Zambezi river on the eve of my 18th birthday. This particular bull elephant was in musth and rampaged around the island for seven hours mock charging my sister and I several times and at one point trying to pull the roof off our hut while we were lying in our beds. I got to experience the size and power of this creature up close and will forever have ultimate respect for the species.’
'Northern White Rhino' Signed Limited Edition Giclee Print. ( Taken from Original Charcoal Drawing)
Framed - £395 22/50 (framed size - 66cm x 61cm, Image size - 45cm x 42cm) SOLD
Mounted - £145 6/25 (Mounted size - 45cm x 47cm, image size - 33cm x 30cm ) SOLD ( can order)
Mounted - £75 - 5/250 (Mounted size - 33cm x 35cm, image size - 20cm x 23.5cm )
‘Northern White Rhino is from a series of charcoal wildlife drawings. I use an intricate technique on a large scale focusing especially on my subject’s innate characters. Drawing here on the rhino’s strength and grace.
This piece was inspired on discovering that there are only three Northern White Rhinos left in the world. Calling on my desire to draw attention to a species that once roamed Africa in its thousands, which is now completely extinct in the wild.’
'Don't Palm me Off' - Original Charcoal on Paper - SOLD
‘This charcoal drawing was a result of spending two magical hours with this wild female orangutan. I came across her while spending a few days aboard a riverboat in Tanjung Putting National Park. I had been invited to search for wild orangutans, probiscus monkeys and crocodiles along the river by the Green Team; a unique group of 33 reformed local loggers, who grew up in the area, and decided to turn their attention to protecting the rainforest rather than cutting it down. This particular orangutan had been rescued from a fire ravaged landscape that had been burnt to make way for palm oil plantations. She had been relocated and released into the wild in the national park where she now lives. I studied her face and all of the messages I believed she wanted us to hear. And she studied me back just as intently. Her movements were so humanlike that I could often see a resemblance of loved ones. It took everything I had not to reach out and try to take her away somewhere truly safe. This orangutans story is one very familiar to those living in Kalimantan. The threat of deforestation is a constant in Borneo, with only half of the original forest still left. The Green Team wanted to show me the reality of this by taking me deeper into the jungle, beyond the sightline of passing tourist boats, where I was met with the vast expanse of deforested wasteland. The Green Team have dedicated their lives to education and raising funds to buy and protect as much land along the river. A percentage of proceeds from the sale of this artwork will go to supporting the Green team in their work.’
'Turtle Dove' Original Charcoal and Natural Pigment.
£1,950 - SOLD
Framed size - 72cm x 98cm. Image Size - 49cm x 73cm
‘The original artwork was created using charcoal and coloured with soil and rocks collected from Devon. While they were once a regular sight in Devon, turtle doves had practically disappeared as a breeding species due to habitat loss and changes in farming practices. In June 2025, around 50 European Turtle Doves were released at Rewilding Coombeshead as part of Reintroduction in Devon.’
'Jawai Leopard' Signed Limited Edition Giclee Print. ( Taken from Original Charcoal Drawing)
Mounted - £145 10/25 (Mounted size - 49cm x 40cm, image size - 39cm x 29cm )
Mounted - £145 SOLD
Mounted - £75 - 2/250 (Mounted size - 39cm x 33cm, image size - 21cm x 27cm )
‘This drawing was inspired by my time in JAWAI India, when I was lucky enough to see this beautiful leopard in the wild. The markings on this particular leopard identify a female affectionately named Nagini by the locals. Her story is one of survival under tremendous challenges. She was believed dead after her mother’s untimely demise when she was a young cub, however she was spotted many months later, healthy and hunting peahens in the area where she grew up. Her remarkable resilience has meant that she has grown into adulthood and now breeding in the area. Inside the piece, I have embedded amongst the Nagini’s spots the silhouette of a traditional Rabari herdsman with his distinctive turban to reflect the ancient and balanced relationship between man and leopard. This piece comes with thanks and appreciation to the incredible work of SUJÁN’s JAWAI, who offer responsible tourism within this magical landscape. They work tirelessly with the government to conserve and support the local community providing employment and adopting schools.’
'Sangfroid Tiger' Signed Limited Edition Giclee Print. (Taken from Original Charcoal Drawing)
Mounted - £75 - 6/250 (Mounted size - 32cm x 40cm, image size - 21cm x 28.5cm )
Mounted - £145 - 9/25 (Mounted size - 52cm x 40cm, image size - 30cm x 40cm )
Framed - £450 6/50 (framed size -80cm x 63cm, Image size - 59cm x 43cm) SOLD
‘Shortly before capturing this moment I came across this beautiful tigress stalking a large Sambar deer in Ranthambore National Park, India. They were deep into steep jungle terrain and I watched as she crouched low and moved stealthily, in complete silence, despite her huge form. There was a sudden burst of sound and movement as she lunged towards the deer and with an explosion of noise and flashes of orange as she darted through the trees. It was an incredible experience that had the adrenaline pumping and filled all the senses. Sadly she missed this time and she took herself off to a nearby pool to cool off. She eased herself in backwards, as tigers do, and started to drink with her tongue lapping up the water. Suddenly something caught her eye darting past her. Again there was a sudden roar of noise as she started pounding the water with her huge paws splayed and claws outstretched. I never thought I would see a tiger fishing, it was amazing! Unfortunately this attempt was also unsuccessful so she got out of the water and flicked her paws to shake off the water and continued her journey to find the next possible meal. Her body language, as she walked towards me, was that of composure in the face of adversity; ‘Sangfroid’. ‘
Mounted - £145 5/25 (Mounted size - 55cm x 43cm, image size - 41cm x 29cm ) SOLD
Mounted - £145 SOLD 4/25 (Mounted size - 55cm x 43cm, image size - 41cm x 29cm )
Mounted - £75 - 4/250 (Mounted size - 32cm x 40cm, image size - 21cm x 28.5cm ) SOLD
'Bloodlines' Signed Limited Edition Giclee Print. ( Taken from Original Charcoal Drawing)
Mounted - £75 - 2/250 (Mounted size - 33cm x 42cm, image size - 21cm x 30cm )
Mounted - £145 - 9/25 (Mounted size - 54cm x 40cm, image size - 44cm x 29cm )
Framed - £450 ( Framed size 60cm x 79cm, image size - 40cm x 59cm) SOLD
Mounted - £145 SOLD 6/25 (Mounted size - 54cm x 40cm, image size - 44cm x 29cm )
‘This was a special moment captured during an afternoon spent watching this tigress and her cubs meander through the jungle in Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India . There was a purpose in their gait yet a casualness in their manner; their big paws padding along as they chuffed and panted. The mother lay down and one of her daughters walked over and lovingly rubbed her face against her mothers. It was such a promising sight; to see the next generation of healthy Bengal tigers being raised in the wild.’
'Pat; the Exmoor Pony' Framed Limited Edition Fine Art Giclee Print - 3/20 (Original created using Natural Pigment from Devon and Charcoal) Framed size - 60cm x 77cm
£350
‘The original artwork was created using charcoal and coloured with soil collected from the moor where Pat lives with his herd of female Exmoor ponies.’
'Tiggy; the Exmoor Pony' Framed Limited Edition Fine Art Giclee Print - 2/20 (Original created using Natural Pigment from Devon and Charcoal) Framed size - 60cm x 77cm
£350
‘The original artwork was created using charcoal and coloured with soil collected from the moor where Tiggy lives with her herd of female Exmoor ponies.’
'Tiggy; the Exmoor Pony' Framed Limited Edition Fine Art Giclee Print - 1/20 (Original created using Natural Pigment from Devon and Charcoal) Framed size - 59cm x 47cm
£250 (sold - can order on request subject to availibity)
'Pat; the Exmoor Pony' Framed Limited Edition Fine Art Giclee Print - 3/20 (Original created using Natural Pigment from Devon and Charcoal) Framed size - 59cm x 47cm
£250
'Beaver' Original - Natural Pigment from Devon and Charcoal Framed: 54.5cm x 45.5cm
SOLD