Location: Australia
Paula Wiegmink, originally from Zimbabwe, migrated to Perth, Western Australia in 1994 with her husband and two of their three children. They subsequently settled in the picturesque town of Dunsborough in 2014. Committed to wildlife conservation, Paula hosted an African art safari in 2013 to support the Save African Rhino Foundation based in Perth, successfully raising $6,000 for the initiative.In 2014, her painting titled
‘To the Point,’ featuring an African pale chanting goshawk, was shortlisted for exhibition in the prestigious ‘David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year’ competition. Paula is a dedicated advocate for environmental preservation and wildlife conservation. In 2015, she was honoured when Besureis, based in London, UK, sought her permission to feature her painting 'Tears of the Rhino' as the emblem of the 'SAY NO' global poster awareness
campaign for endangered species. This impactful poster has garnered signatures from numerous influential figures, including Dr. Jane Goodall, Sir David Attenborough, and Brian May, among others. In 2025, Paula furthered her commitment to animal welfare by creating a new image to support a global poster awareness campaign against vivisection, with the first signature on this poster from renowned Ricky Gervais.
Paula is an esteemed artist known for her impactful contributions to both the art world and conservation efforts. In 2015, she was invited by CEO Graeme Stevenson to feature in the television art documentary ‘Put Some Colour in Your Life’, where she recreated her renowned painting ‘Tears of the Rhino’. This significant artwork achieved remarkable recognition when, in 2025, it was launched to the moon by NASA as part of the Lunar Codex, residing eternally in the Mare Crisium region. The full documentary is
set to accompany SpaceX on a mission to the moon in 2027. In acknowledgment of her outstanding artistic talent and extraordinary commitment to conservation, Paula was honoured by the Canadian-based organization Artists For Conservation, further solidifying her legacy in both art and environmental stewardship. Paula is an accomplished artist dedicated to raising awareness of the beauty and fragility of the natural world through her unique artistic interpretations. By fostering discussion and engagement via visual interaction, she invites viewers to contemplate
the intricacies of nature.
Paula works with acrylic, oil, pastel, and hot wax encaustic mediums, skilfully blending still life with wildlife in her creations. She actively participates in both group and solo exhibitions showcasing her commitment to artistic excellence and environmental advocacy. She encourages discussion and engagement through her visual artistic
interpretations seeking to raise awareness of the beauty and fragility of the natural world.
A multi-award winner in various categories, including oil, pastel, acrylics, watercolour, and mixed media, Paula actively participates in both group and solo exhibitions, showcasing her commitment to her craft and her passion for the environment.
Paula is an accomplished artist whose work is prominently featured in private and corporate collections across a diverse range of countries. Her art can be found in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, Portugal, America, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Holland, Spain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.
Renowned for her unique perspective and dedication to her
craft, she continues to inspire audiences globally through her creative expression.
Painting wildlife is one of my greatest joys in life. Being able to share my love of art and the natural environment gives me a wonderful platform to draw attention to the vulnerability of our natural environment and endangered species. Welcome into my world where nature inspires and excites me.Please feel free to leave comments as I value your feedback.
This painting was inspired by a recent visit back to my roots in Africa. To see this majestic animal roaming the African bush never ceases to amaze and excite me!
Orangutans are now endangered with the constant destruction of their environment. The tender moments between mother and child inspired me paint these incredible animals that share approximately 97 percent of the same DNA as humans.
This painting was inspired by not only the accuracy of the African pale chanting goshawk landing on such a small surface but doing it with such sheer grace and precision. Acrylic on canvas h122cm x w155 cm
This portfolio is a collection of quiet encounters, capturing the fleeting moments where wildlife and atmosphere intertwine. Rather than focusing solely on the subjects, these pieces explore the environments they inhabit—the heavy morning mist over a wetland, the soft light filtering through a riverbank, or the quiet stillness of a forest at dawn. Through a careful balance of sharp, graphic detail and soft, diffused backgrounds, the work invites the viewer to step into the stillness of the natural world and experience the profound peace of a landscape untouched.
"I sought to capture the quiet, liminal space between night and day. The pelican acts as a focal point of striking clarity against a soft, dissolving landscape of mist and water. By balancing the bold, graphic contrast of the bird's plumage with the muted tones of the dawn, the painting explores a moment of solitary grace—an everyday ritual of nature elevated into a silent performance."
“Ithemba - Zulu for Hope/Trust”
I wanted to explore the profound beauty of natural symbiosis—a relationship built entirely on instinctual trust. The giraffe, a symbol of quiet grace, bows its formidable height toward the earth, creating a safe haven for the small ox-peckers resting upon its head. Set against a soft, mist-shrouded riverbank, the composition speaks to the interconnectedness of life. It is a visual representation of 'Ithemba', Zulu for hope and trust, suggesting that peace is found when we lean into mutual reliance and protect the fragile bonds between us."
This vibrant acrylic painting on stretched canvas captures a hauntingly beautiful moment of transition between day and night. Set against a dramatic gradient sky that shifts from a deep, textured indigo down to a warm, fiery orange, a large, ethereal blood moon dominates the horizon.
A silhouette of five birds in flight cuts across the sky, adding a sense of movement, freedom, and wild mystery to the composition. Below them lies a dense, stylised forest painted with rich textures and earth tones—coppers, muted greens, and deep ochres—punctuated by the stark, elegant white lines of tree trunks. The piece strikes a captivating balance between the serene stillness of the wilderness and the powerful, cyclical energy of the celestial world. It invites the viewer to step into a dreamscape where nature and the cosmos meet in silent harmony.
“Heartbeat of Africa”
“Precious moments”
“To the point”
“Unfurling the Dawn”
“Blood Moon Rising”
