About The Artist

On moving to East Grinstead in the late 80's, I began painting for an art agent that specialised in animal, people and bespoke portraits and soon became skilled at painting dogs and horses in a classical style. I also took on mural painting commissions and wrote and illustrated a few children's books.

In the late 90's I began teaching art adult education courses for Central Sussex College as well as running my own art courses. I sell my paintings mostly in on-line galleries but also through galleries and exhibitions. I have exhibited at the Mall galleries in London, Chelsea open exhibition, local galleries such as Chequer Mead, East Grinstead, The Hawth Theatre, Sheffield Park, Lingfield, Brighton festival, Shoreham gallery and many others.

My goal is a) to paint a masterpiece one day b) help other people to get the thrill from their creating their own art that I get.

Video - Gill Introduces Her Art

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My Motivation

Painting Demo Video - Watercolour Dog Portrait

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Art Awards!

a) When I was 4 and in a convent school I won the ‘best painting of an angel’ competition. I won a handkerchief and a plastic flower.

b) When I was 9 I came first in a local painting competition for painting a picture of my house. It was a surprise as I had chucked it away a few weeks earlier when I got cross with it – not knowing my Dad had found it in the bin and entered into the competition. I still have the photo that was in the local paper of me looking simultaneously stupid, pleased and disgusted as the Mayor gave me my prize. I won a £5 book token.

c) When I was 11. I became the proud owner of a Blue Peter badge which I won for painting an underwater scene in a competition in 1979. I won a plastic badge with a boat on it.

d) When I was 37. I won an award for best wildlife painting in an on-line competition where people voted for best painting. I never got my prize as the website went down a week later.

e) When I was 48. I won first prize in the Danehill Art Fair. I won £250 (yay – an actual prize!)

That was possibly the best my illustrious competition winning career is going to get but at least I can genuinely call myself ‘award winning’ – impressive eh?

Customer Recommendations

"Gill is a superb artist whose paintings exude life and emotions. She has done a superb job for us, I could never have hoped for better."
Dominique Cook – Director at Narconon

"I have had the pleasure of auctioning Gill's work at various fundraising events where she has donated works for charitable donations and the quality and detail of her work has always created gasps in the audience and has also helped the organisations I have worked for producing very rewarding bids which is a testament to her standards as an artist."
Mike Ricketts - Practice Manager at The Weight Loss Centre

"For Gill Bustamante each painting speaks more than a thousand words, each picture has a personality all of its own. It is like time has stood still at that particular point in time.
She is a brilliant artist and I have seen her art evolve over the last few years, she has captured seasons and nature with the upmost detail and her art is really reaching out to its intended audience."
Trish Parkinson - Director - Renewable Energy at Smart Green

"Gill's paintings are exquisite. The movement in her horses is exceptional and I love viewing her work. She has an uncanny ability to depict animals as if they are in motion right in front of you, they seem so alive. I would unhesitatingly recommend Gill as an animal portrait artist."
Liz Bailey – Published Author

"Gill is a fantastic and talented artist"
Julie Boyle, Owner at B Gallery

“Gill is a brilliant teacher. She is a great artist and her animal portraits are beautiful and full of life. She really captures the unique characteristics and personality of her model, whether they are horses or cats... I would love for her to make a portrait of my cat!"
Christine Sotiriou – French Teacher and Counsellor

"I have bought a number of Gill's paintings for myself and to give as presents over the years - I see them hanging in pride of place in several houses. Her portrait of my brother's dog is an incredible likeness and really captures the spirit of a much-loved family pet."
Andrea Grant-Webb - Owner, Broomfield Books Limited

"Magical images of animal portraits, colourful and delightful . . . a child's dream world . . ."
Stefania Priori - Designer & Sales Director at Gorgeous Bunch

"Gill's portraits are exceptionally alive and full of colour. Her animal portraits reflect real character and personality as well as being beautiful works in themselves."
Mike Garside - Owner of Good Reputations Marketing Consultancy

"Gill is a tremendously talented painter, and I have one of her pictures hanging in my house."
Malcolm Gellatly - Director at TMS Systems Ltd

"Gill does the best Animal Portraits I've ever seen. They are fantastic!"
Teresa Kane - Office Manager at The Bath Business