Large Modern Animal Art UK
Contemporary Animal Paintings for Modern Interiors
Working primarily in oil on canvas, I create expressive artwork designed to bring warmth, personality, and visual impact into contemporary interiors.
Many people know my work through my colourful Highland cow paintings and expressive animal subjects, where bold contemporary colour palettes, layered textures, and intuitive brushwork come together to create paintings filled with both energy and connection. I want each piece to feel like more than something decorative on a wall; these amazing animals help shape the atmosphere and feeling of a space immediately, and over time, they become beloved old friends.
My paintings are collected internationally and are often displayed in modern living rooms, open-plan spaces, luxury interiors, and layered contemporary homes looking for artwork with warmth, individuality, and presence. Rich colours, expressive movement, and immersive compositions are all important parts of my work, allowing the paintings to feel uplifting, soulful, and full of life within the home.
I’m inspired equally by nature and interior design, and I’m always interested in creating paintings that feel emotionally engaging as well as visually striking. Rather than focusing on traditional wildlife realism, I’m drawn to colour, atmosphere, movement, and personality, creating expressive Highland cows, birds, and animal subjects that feel alive within the room.
I love seeing my paintings displayed in all kinds of interiors, from dramatic hallways and contemporary coastal homes to country-modern spaces and luxury apartments. Wherever they are placed, I want the artwork to bring warmth, connection, colour, and a real sense of personality into the home.
Wise Eyes - Oil Painting - 100 x 80 cm/ 40 x 30"
The wisdom and kindness in the eyes of this enormous 'Tusker' elephant brings warmth and a sense of comfort and safety. The fantastic creature is a resident of the African Savannah, in the Tsavo region, where the red colour of the sand adds another dimension to the animal after his daily dust bath.
A majestic piece which looks powerful above a fireplace or as a focal point on a large wall. Sold as a gallery-wrapped canvas ready to frame, this original oil painting is presented here in a slim gold frame to tie in the elegance of this beautiful maximalist living room.
Welcoming Committee -Acrylic and oil painting - 50 x 100 cm/36 x 40"
A wonderful, friendly trio of pigs waiting to welcome you home. Look at those faces, each one with its own characterful expression. This piece is a horizontal canvas and will suit a place over a counter, a mantlepiece or sofa. The painting is sold unframed, as a gallery-wrapped canvas ready to hang just as it is or to frame as desired. This photo shows the Welcoming Committee framed in a wide traditional frame with a gold finish.
The Dream Team - Oil Painting - 100 x 120 cm/40 x 50"
Scottish Highland Cows love their besties - they are well known for forming lifelong friendship bonds and having 'favourites'. This piece celebrates them in all their colourful glory. Each cow has a very distinct character. You can see this in their faces, in this painting.
This one really fills a wall and has so many colours that it could form the base for an entire colour scheme for a stunning contemporary room.
Unshakeable - oil painting - 80 x 100cm/30 x 40"
The African Wild Buffalo is not to be underestimated. He is nicknamed 'The Widowmaker' for good reason. Unlike the similar-looking water buffalo, this guy is untameable and aggressive. He has a fearsome reputation indeed. However, these massive creatures are very tender and protective over their friends and family.
This high-impact contemporary oil painting looks fabulous framed and displayed above a sofa, as shown here in this eclectic modern living space.
Collected Internationally
My paintings and prints have found homes with collectors across the UK, the United States, Scandinavia, South Africa, UAE, Australia, and Europe. I love seeing the artwork styled in such a wide variety of interiors, from contemporary coastal homes and modern apartments to relaxed country spaces filled with texture and natural light.
I love seeing my paintings styled in such varied interiors, from modern homes in California and Florida to relaxed country spaces in Texas and Colorado.
Why Collect Large Contemporary Animal Art?
Large contemporary animal paintings do more than decorate your wall; they do also shape the atmosphere and personality of a home. In modern interiors, statement artwork has become an essential part of creating spaces that feel layered, welcoming, and emotionally connected, particularly within open-plan living areas and neutral contemporary homes.
Statement animal artwork brings depth, atmosphere, and individuality into contemporary interiors. From dramatic living rooms to calm, layered spaces filled with texture and natural light, large contemporary animal paintings create a sense of warmth, connection, and sophisticated visual impact within the home. Expressive brushwork, rich colour, and strong composition allow contemporary animal paintings to bring energy and movement into spaces that might otherwise feel minimal or understated.
Colourful animal art is especially effective in modern interiors built around soft neutrals, textured whites, natural woods, and layered fabrics. Vibrant tones and expressive subjects add warmth, personality, and individuality without overwhelming the space. This balance between sophistication and emotional warmth is one of the reasons statement animal artwork has become increasingly popular in luxury homes and contemporary interior design.
Expressive Highland cow paintings, in particular, bring a unique sense of warmth and character into the home. Their gentle presence, textured coats, and soulful expressions create artwork that feels both calming and full of personality. When combined with bold contemporary colour palettes and large-scale compositions, Highland cow art can soften modern interiors while still creating a strong visual impact. These paintings work beautifully in both country-modern homes and contemporary urban spaces, offering a sense of connection, comfort, and individuality.
Contemporary animal art also connects strongly with biophilic interior design - the growing movement towards bringing elements of nature, emotion, and organic forms into the home. Animal subjects introduce life, movement, and emotional presence into interior spaces, helping rooms feel more personal, immersive, and uplifting.
Perhaps you are looking for statement art for a living room, large art for a modern home, or luxury wall art that creates visual impact. Perhaps emotional connection will colour your artistic decision. With this in mind, large contemporary animal paintings offer a timeless and expressive way to transform your space.
Styling Large Contemporary Animal Art in your Home
A large painting can completely change the feel of a room. Oversized contemporary animal art brings colour, atmosphere, and personality into a space in a way that smaller pieces often can’t. In open-plan homes especially, a statement painting helps anchor the room and naturally draws the eye, creating a focal point that makes the whole interior feel more finished and connected.
I often find that expressive animal paintings work beautifully in interiors built around textured neutrals, soft whites, natural wood, linen, and layered fabrics. The warmth and movement in the artwork can bring life into calmer spaces without overwhelming them, adding colour and personality while still feeling sophisticated and easy to live with.
Highland cow paintings in particular seem to create an immediate sense of warmth within a home. Their gentle expressions, flowing texture, and rich colours work beautifully in both contemporary country interiors and more modern spaces. I love seeing them styled in rooms with natural textures, soft lighting, and relaxed layered interiors where the artwork becomes part of the atmosphere of the space rather than simply something hanging on the wall.
Large contemporary animal paintings also work especially well in hallways, dining areas, and luxury apartments where a single statement piece can completely transform the mood of the interior. In contemporary coastal homes and light-filled modern spaces, expressive colour and movement help create a feeling of energy, comfort, and individuality.
For me, the best interiors are the ones that feel personal and lived in, and artwork plays such an important role in creating that feeling. A large painting is an addition that complements a room visually and brings warmth and emotions into the home every day.
About Susan Gardner
I’m a UK-based contemporary artist creating large expressive animal paintings in oil, filled with colour, texture, and emotional presence. Over the years, my work has become known for its uplifting energy, layered brushwork, and soulful connection to the animals I paint.
I work intuitively, allowing colour and movement to develop naturally across the canvas as the painting evolves. While my work is contemporary in style, emotion is always at the centre of what I create. I’m especially drawn to the eyes and energy of my subjects that make a painting feel alive within a room.
Many people know my work through my colourful Highland cow paintings, alongside expressive birds and contemporary animal subjects that bring warmth and personality into modern interiors. I’m inspired by rich colour palettes, flowing texture, and the balance between atmosphere and detail. I want the paintings to feel immersive and uplifting. My collectors are welcoming my animals into their home as a kind of permanent, delightful guest.
As a lifelong animal lover and vegan, I feel deeply connected to the animals I paint, and that naturally shapes the mood and spirit of my work. Again and again, collectors tell me they were first drawn in by the expression or presence within the eyes of a painting, and I think that emotional connection is such an important part of why we choose to live with certain artworks.
My original paintings are collected internationally and displayed in a wide range of interiors, from contemporary country homes and luxury apartments to coastal spaces and modern open-plan living environments. I love seeing how collectors style the work within their homes, especially in layered interiors where the artwork becomes part of the atmosphere of the space.
For me, a painting should bring warmth, colour, and personality into a home over time, creating a sense of comfort, connection, and presence that people continue to enjoy every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered large animal wall art?
Large animal wall art usually refers to paintings that create a strong visual presence within a room, often becoming the focal point of the space. Many of my larger contemporary animal paintings are designed for living rooms, hallways, dining spaces, and open-plan interiors where the artwork can bring colour, warmth, and atmosphere into the home. Larger pieces tend to have a very different impact in person, especially within calm neutral interiors where expressive colour and movement can really come to life.
Are all Susan Gardner's paintings original?
Yes ,all original paintings are hand-painted by me, Susan Gardner in oil on canvas from my UK studio. Each piece is completely unique, created using layered brushwork, expressive colour, and intuitive mark-making. Many paintings also include rich surface texture and detail that can only really be appreciated in person.
What interiors work best with colourful animal art?
Colourful contemporary animal paintings work beautifully in a wide range of interiors, from modern country homes and contemporary coastal spaces to luxury apartments and open-plan living areas. I especially love seeing expressive artwork paired with textured neutrals, natural wood, linen fabrics, and layered interiors where the painting becomes part of the warmth and personality of the room.
Why are Highland cow paintings so popular in interiors?
Highland cows naturally bring warmth, softness, and personality into a space. Their gentle expressions and flowing texture work beautifully in both modern and rustic interiors, while expressive colour palettes help create a more contemporary feel. Many collectors are drawn to the calm, soulful presence they bring into the home, especially in larger statement pieces.
Does Susan Gardner ship artwork internationally?
Yes, original paintings are collected internationally and can be shipped worldwide. Each artwork is carefully packaged to help ensure it arrives safely, and details about shipping, framing, and delivery can be discussed before purchase if needed.
What makes contemporary animal art different from traditional wildlife art?
Contemporary animal art is often more expressive and emotionally led, focusing on colour, atmosphere, movement, and connection rather than strict realism alone. My own work is inspired as much by interior design, mood, and emotional presence as it is by the animals themselves. I’m always interested in creating paintings that feel uplifting, immersive, and easy to live with over time.
How do I choose the right size artwork for my space?
A larger painting can completely transform the feel of a room, especially in open-plan spaces or interiors with high ceilings and lots of natural light. I usually recommend choosing artwork that feels confident within the space rather than too small or cautious. Oversized contemporary animal paintings often work beautifully above sofas, sideboards, beds, and hallway consoles where they can create balance and a strong focal point within the room.
Where can I buy a big Highland cow art print in the UK?
I supply my iconic and well-known Scottish Highland cow modern art in large sizes. I paint the cows in oil on large-scale canvases, ready to frame (I can offer framing upon request) . As the cow art is so popular due to their colourful and fun looks, and the emotional connection that people have with the cows - I offer canvas prints in a wide range of sizes, as well as my gallery-scale collection which is a selection of my most popular paintings as bigger canvases. You can order these for UK and international delivery here on my website, secure and speedy.
