Robert E Fuller
I’m always on the lookout for individuals doing incredible things for our planet, those unsung heroes, the quiet folk making a real difference. Well, wildlife artist and filmmaker, Robert E Fuller is right up there with the best of them. But don’t get me wrong, this severely dyslexic Yorkshire lad, from a farming background, left school early with little to no qualifications save art, and didn’t know if he could make a living from painting.
If you’re a regular here, you know I adore wildlife, art, conservation and especially penguins. Robert E Fuller, with his breathtakingly realistic paintings and live webcams, is a true master of both. His ability to capture the spirit of nature is awe-inspiring. But it’s not just about the art; it’s about the passion that drives it.
Here’s what he told me when we spoke…
Now, you might know Robert for his breathtaking wildlife paintings. Honestly, they’re so lifelike, you’d half expect a badger to pop its head out and ask for a biscuit! Or maybe you know him for his many wildlife film contributions to BBC’s The One Show. But what you might NOT know is the incredible passion he has for South Georgia, that wild and wonderful remote island in the Southern Atlantic Ocean. And here, when we spoke, we were in total agreement!
He remembers his first trip to the Falklands, back some 20+ years ago – when his ‘team’ was just himself and his wife – which he described to me as like stepping into a ‘different world’, staying in a portacabin on Saunders Island, with the only thing within 10 miles of you is the family that owns, farms and protects this precious land. Immersing himself in this raw, windswept landscape with an abundance of wildlife, Rockhopper penguins and nesting Albatross. But then he visited South Georgia!
On South Georgia he recanted experiencing for the first time that immediate connection that you only get with penguins. How they run up to you like children. They’re curious, playful, utterly captivating. “There’s always something going on!” he exclaimed. And it’s true! It’s a non-stop, exhilarating spectacle of nature at its most vibrant. He’d never experienced anything like it, that immediate, overwhelming sense of connection with so many wild creatures. As Robert said on our call “it’s beyond magic”. St Andrews Bay, South Georgia was where Robert began his understanding of the work of the South Georgia Heritage Trust and became a supporter of their work.
“Something to watch, something to film, something to paint“
From its humble beginnings in 2007 as a husband and wife team, Robert’s wildlife art and filmmaking enterprise has flourished, expanding to a point where, by 2025, he led a team of cameramen on his second expedition to the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, demonstrating the remarkable growth of his wildlife recording and artistic endeavours. This time they interviewed British Antarctic Survey teams, filmed penguins, seals and birds and Robert revisited that urgent need to protect and support this pristine wilderness.
Robert Filming at South Georgia. Photo Credit for all photographs: Robert E Fuller
One of his short films I love the best is these King Penguins at St Andrews Bay. One gets seaweed stuck to his foot – you can imagine the ‘conversation’ the penguins might be having!
But Robert isn’t content to just paint these scenes; he’s a man of action! He understands the delicate balance of this fragile ecosystem. South Georgia, like so many places, has faced its challenges – years of whaling, invasive species, rat infestations. And that’s where the South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT) comes in. They’re doing vital work to protect and restore this incredible place.
Ship Auctions and Donations
One of the most fun ‘on-board’ activities that ship operators in this region do is to have an auction to raise proceeds for SGHT. What did Robert do? He generously donated some of his stunning paintings and 1st edition prints, to these auctions, giving all the proceeds to the Trust! He’s using his talent to make a real, tangible difference. It’s not just about pretty pictures, is it? It’s about giving back, about ensuring that future generations can experience the magic of South Georgia.
That’s the power of South Georgia. It gets under your skin, it changes you. And Robert, with his artist’s eye and his compassionate heart for wildlife, was forever changed by the penguins of St. Andrews Bay. Because of this, he has become a strong advocate for the South Georgia Heritage Trust.
Badgers, Stoats and Owls
But that’s not all. Robert’s dedication to conservation goes way beyond South Georgia. He’s a champion for British wildlife too. You’ve probably seen his live webcams, haven’t you? (Click HERE ) Following the lives of his local badgers, stoats, and owls. It’s a window into the natural world, right there in his own backyard. He’s educating us, showing us the beauty and complexity of the creatures we share our world with. He understands the power of connecting people with wildlife, and he uses his platform to make a real difference.
He’s also a tireless advocate for habitat protection, working to create and maintain spaces where wildlife can thrive. He understands that it’s not enough to just admire nature; we have to actively protect it and believe me, that includes some hard work on his behalf, whether its installing owl boxes or cleaning them out at the end of the breeding season! He’s certainly leading by example, showing us all how we can make a difference, even in our own small ways.
What Can You Do to Make a Difference?
The SGHT’s work is vital for the future of South Georgia. They’re involved in everything from habitat restoration to invasive species eradication and celebrating the return of the whales, ensuring that this incredible island remains a haven for wildlife. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you have come from, there will something, perhaps just one small action that you can take to make a difference. Here’s a few ideas:
- Check out Robert E Fuller’s website: Explore his stunning artwork and learn more about his conservation efforts.
- Support the South Georgia Heritage Trust: Consider making a donation. It doesn’t matter how small, just donate the price of your next coffee! Buy a mug or gift from their online website. Their annual online auction, partnered with the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, takes place 3 – 10th April 2025. Here’s the LINK to the Auction Website. Take a look, get ready to snap up something special and contribute to the Trust’s work at the same time.
- Spread the word: Share this blog post and tell your friends about Robert’s amazing work and the SGHT’s vital mission.
Robert E Fuller is one of those quietly remarkable people who just get on with it, making the world a better place, one brushstroke, one webcam, one conservation project at a time. He reminds us that we all have a role to play in protecting our planet, and that even small acts of kindness and generosity can have a big impact. Showing us, by his actions, that each and every one of us has the capacity to do something to contribute and that it counts.
Let’s all do our part to protect our planet’s precious wildlife. Together, we can make a difference.
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LINKS
Website: Robert E Fuller
Website: South Georgia Heritage Trust
Link to Auction for SGHT – will be live for your bids from 3rd April 2025