The Things I Saw Before They Ran

The Things I Saw Before They Ran is a personal wildlife observation and illustration project documenting encounters with native British wildlife through direct field study, sketching, and visual storytelling. Created during travels across the UK, the project aims to capture fleeting moments between observer and animal, preserving details of behaviour, habitat, movement, and presence before they disappear back into the landscape.

Rather than focusing solely on finished artwork, the project explores observation as a tool for understanding nature. Through sketches, notes, and illustrations, it seeks to build a deeper connection with wildlife while highlighting the importance of conservation, habitat preservation, and the value of slowing down to truly see the natural world.

In an era increasingly dominated by digitally generated imagery, the project celebrates human observation, field research, and the tradition of natural history illustration as a means of recording and communicating o