
Rachel Brooks - Wildlife Artist & Story Teller
I am a professional wildlife illustrator, story teller and wildlife guide. Below are a list of recent publications of my art, photography and scientific communication. My time in the field inspires much of what I create, and for me these two disciplines go hand in hand. As operations manager at Basking Shark Scotland, I am in a unique position of spending more time in the water with the incredible basking shark than most. I am also an accomplished scuba diver, working full time as an instructor for over 5 years in world class locations such as the Lembeh Straits, Great Barrier Reef and the Ningaloo Reef World Heritage Site. I am always happy to talk about artivism, diving, wildlife, art and basking shark research so if you are looking for a contributor or speaker for your project please get in touch.

In November of 2022 my art work was exhibited at the Royal Geographical Society in London, amongst a collection of 17 selected artists at the 'For the Love of Sharks' event by the Shark Trust. This work is part of a project called 'Oceanic 31' which will be an ongoing project for the next few years.
In 2022 my artwork of 'John Coe' was selected from over 3000 entries to the final shortlist in the Wildlife 100 Artist of the Year Competition by Explorer's Against Extinction. My piece was exhibited in Norfolk, Edinburgh, Virtually in New York at the Explorer's Club before the penultimate exhibition at Londons OXO Tower.
In September I was honoured to be invited back to 'The Whole Tooth' podcast, where I was the first return guest. This episode focuses on my art work with sharks especially, and how art can be used as a tool in conservation.

During the summer I was part of the filming for 'SHARK British Isles Special' when Steve Backshall and his team came looking for basking sharks on the Isle of Coll. You can see me featured in this segment as the resident zoologist and shark guide. SHARK is an incredible series highlighting the plight of British sharks, watch the full episode here.
This year we are bringing back 'Shark-Cast' the worlds first podcast about basking shark conservation, I am currently co-hosting the podcast alongside Shane Wasik from Basking Shark Scotland. Listen here.
In November I was honoured to be asked to speak on the 'Artivism Chat' along side a panel of extremely talented and passionate artivists, the talk was recorded on clubhouse, you can listen along here.

During the month on November I was featured as Shark Guardians Eco Artist of the Month, you can read my interview with Shark Guardian here. I also joined Dr Isla Hodgson on the 'Whole Tooth' podcast by the Save Our Seas Foundation, discussing all things basking sharks, listen along here.
In October I was approached by the RPSB to create a design for their COP26 campaign, this is a limited edition design raising money for the RSPB - you can shop the collection here.
In 2020 I was shortlisted in the Sony World Photography Awards open competition in 'Natural World & Wildlife'. They later featured my image as one of their favourite under water shots!