Wildlife - Hérisson devant une vieille porte en bois 

PAINTING CREATED BY THE ANIMAL ARTIST LAURENCE SAUNOIS

AVAILABLE

“Exclusive collection of Fine Art Prints, numbered and signed by the Artist, produced in limited edition with certificate of authenticity.”

If you have any questions regarding this artwork or its acquisition, please contact me.

Hedgehogs have been living in my garden for many years.

The hedgehog is mostly active at night. It feeds mainly on earthworms, snails, insects, ripe fruits... In spring, as well as in autumn, it goes on a food orgy. At the beginning of the summer season, it must restore its strength after a long period of winter fasting. In late autumn, it eats lavishly to build up its reserves and is able to ingest enough food to double its weight.
Every year, a large number of hedgehogs are run over on the roads. If you come across one one day in your garden, it will curl up. Take the time to observe it. After many minutes, feeling that you are not a danger, he will gain confidence and unfold. He will give you a long look, sniff in your direction and quietly continue his way.

In late fall, hedgehogs are looking for places to spend the winter. Almost everything is suitable for them; compost heaps, wood, leaves... I was surprised one day to find a hedgehog in my cellar. He had settled comfortably under a pallet. He had come inside through a hole in the bottom of the old wooden door.

I imagined the moment when the hedgehog was about to seek refuge in an old barn in the Quercy region and I wanted to paint this scene.

I wanted to create a work depicting a hedgehog that had chosen the interior of an old barn as its winter sanctuary. To achieve this, I needed two fundamental elements: the weathered door and the subject itself.

The ideal door was waiting for me somewhere on the causse (limestone plateau). During an autumn walk, I discovered it: part of a traditional local farmhouse, with its wood silvered by the sun, its hand-forged nails, and a cat flap hidden by tall grass. The stage was set.

The following spring, my dog Tchuck alerted me with his unmistakable bark. I found a small ball of quills in the garden. Armed with patience, I lay down in the grass. It took many long minutes for trust to be established. At the slightest movement, he would curl back up. Finally, after more than an hour of waiting motionless, he unfurled and went on his way. The reference photo was taken; the painting could begin.

Technique: Choosing the SupportAfter sanding a wood panel to remove any splinters, I applied a single layer of gesso, which was then finely sanded. The goal was to obtain a smooth surface while preserving the transparency of the wood grain. This naturally enhances the textured effect of the old planks. I then worked with successive layers of oil glazes to avoid "clogging" the support and to preserve the wood grain, which plays a major role in the final result.

To take home a part of her artistic universe, nothing could be easier! Go to his online store.

On his artistic store, are available for sale:

• This original painting,
• High quality fine art prints on paper, canvas
• Prints : posters, magnets.....

Laurence Saunois is a realistic and even hyper-realistic animal artist. Her oil paintings are studied to emphasize her subjects and her symbols. Often behind each painting, there is a story: an encounter, an observation, a moment of emotion.
Do not hesitate to contact her. She will be at your disposal to guide you and inform you about any specific request or order.