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From hunting scenes sketched at just three years old to highly detailed commissioned portraits, Jess’s journey with art is as natural as the countryside that inspires it.
Raised as the daughter of a gamekeeper and now working on a mixed farm in Staffordshire, her life outdoors flows seamlessly into every piece she creates.
What began as a childhood love of drawing — and a way to switch off and unwind — has grown into years of dedicated practice, patience, and passion.
From vibrant birds like Mandarin ducks and grouse to countryside hunting scenes and working farm life, Jess captures not just animals, but the spirit of rural living itself.
Let’s find out a bit more about Jess Smith-Moon…
Tell us a bit more about your journey with artwork?
I have been drawing all my life. I was always a very artistic / crafty child, there’s drawings I have done when I was around 2 or 3 of hunting scenes, so it’s safe to say I’ve always been intertwining the rural way of life with art. Additionally, my mum and grandma are both very good at drawing, I used to watch them when I was younger, which gave me a lot of inspiration.
Drawing has always been a big stress relief for me; it’s a way for me to relax. I’d really recommend it to anyone as a brilliant way to switch off.
Your artwork is exceptional! Have you always had a natural talent or is it something you have had to work at improving?
I wouldn’t say it’s much of a natural talent, just hundreds of hours of practice and patience. I enjoyed water colour painting and graphite drawings when I was younger but never took it too seriously or worked to perfect it.
When I was around 13, I came across an artist (Bonny Snowdon) who did coloured pencil artwork tutorials – I followed a couple of her tutorials and worked from there. I began doing commissioned artwork that same year when a family friend contacted me to draw one of her dogs.
From then on, I drew almost every day, slowly progressing over the 6 years since. By no means was my artwork anything special in the beginning, but thanks to the support of those around me and a whole lot of practice, it has turned into something I’m really proud of.
What is your favourite thing to draw / what inspires your artwork the most?
I really enjoy drawing birds; I absolutely love the colour in their feathers – two of my favourite works being a Mandarin and a Grouse. I’d love to draw a pheasant in the future.
I love doing any kind of countryside themed piece, one more recently being a hunting piece.
I also thoroughly enjoy drawing tractors when I get the opportunity. In September I travelled to New Zealand for lambing season which inspired a lot of pieces I’d like to complete in the future.
Could you tell us a bit more about your life outside of art? Is the countryside a big part of your life?
I am the daughter of a gamekeeper, thus have always been heavily involved in the countryside way of life which subsequently inspired a lot of my work.
I work on a mixed farm in Staffordshire, so I’m outside working most of the time. Then on weekends I’m generally shooting or beating with my Cocker Spaniel Orange.
In addition to this I am a member of Staffordshire Young Farmers, where I compete in Stock Judging and Tug of War when I have the time!
You offer commissions, do you also have a gallery to purchase from? If people would like to order your artwork, how should they contact you?
I have a number of prints and originals available for purchase, including red deer, roe deer, foxes, cows, sheep and much more!
Many of these can be seen on my social medias. If you are interested in purchasing a piece there are a number of ways to contact me, including messaging me on Stile. Alternatively, you can email me at
Artist.JessSmit@gmail.com
