A SELF-TAUGHT artist, who was inspired growing up in the North Pennines, has been shortlisted for a prestigious art award for the fourth time.

Simon Griffiths, 43, from Castleside, in County Durham, has been shortlisted for the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s (DSWF) Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition, at London’s Mall Galleries.

Mr Griffiths said: “I grew up in the North Pennines it’s kind of entwined in my soul. I’ve always been into wildlife since I was a tiny kid. I feel it is part of me because it’s what I know well.

“The things that I do are things I was brought up with as a kid. It comes from the heart really.”

His work has been displayed internationally including solo exhibitions in France and as part of an exhibition in Japan. His sculptures, which can take months to complete, have sold around the world.

Over 150 works of art are shortlisted for the exhibition which runs from the Tuesday, June 30 to Saturday, July 4. Their work will be displayed for sale in the main gallery and there is a top prize of £10,000.

The funds raised will go towards critically endangered mammals in Africa and Asia supported by DSWF.

Wildlife artist and conservationist, David Shepherd, who launched the competition in 2008, said: “The short-listed entries are once again exceptional. From the judges’ point of view the drama and technical excellence in all the work was quite breath-taking.”