A young wildlife artist is preparing to showcase her work at an Oriel Môn exhibition.

Ceri Jones from Ruthin spent a year in Australia creating a series of artworks inspired by the remarkable creatures she encountered down under.

What began as a handful of simple journal sketches soon turned into a larger creative project, giving her the confidence to develop the work in greater depth.

Ceri said: "They represent the places I visited and the memories I made. Having them displayed at Oriel Môn is a very special moment for me. I have visited the gallery throughout my life, and to have my own exhibition here feels quite surreal."

Ceri set off with no plans to create any major pieces, carrying only an HB pencil, a rubber and her journal for quick studies along the way.

But as her ideas grew, so did the need for better materials - and help came from back home following a FaceTime call with her mum 10,000 miles away, while Ceri gathered a bank of photographs from sanctuaries and zoos, which became the reference material for the finished pieces.

Pastel pencils have long been her preferred medium, making them a natural choice for the realistic style she wanted to achieve, allowing her to build fine textures and tiny details, especially in fur and eyes.

After experimenting with several background options, black proved the most effective. Its strong contrast brings each subject forward and gives the viewer a clear point of focus.

Ceri says the finished series is something she is extremely proud of - with the works capturing the memories, experiences and inspiration she brought home.

Nicola Gibson, visitor experience manager at Oriel Môn, added: "This is a striking body of work. Ceri's realistic style is balanced by thoughtful composition, giving the exhibition a fresh and contemporary feel."

"Visitors will be drawn into each creature's gaze and may well find it difficult to be drawn away."

Ceri's exhibition will be on show at Oriel Môn from Tuesday 20th October 2026 to Thursday 31st January 2027. Oriel Môn is open every Tuesday to Sunday from 10am-5pm and admission is free.