I am very fortunate to have been able to collect Sya Elwes’s exquisite works of art for more
than twenty years. I have commissioned her to do portraits of our dogs and our racehorse. I
have also bought her work at exhibitions including polar animal portraits and outstanding
line drawings of polo ponies in action. Her ability to paint a work of art not only reflects her
acute skills in accurate observation and a lifetime’s honing of her technique but also she
conveys her understanding of the spirit of an animal. These are portraits in the broadest
sense of the word. Sya works with such commitment to her subjects, studying them in
action and from numerous photographs. Her choice of setting is an inspiration and
demonstrates her sensitivity to the true nature of an animal. Sya is a perfectionist and often
works on several drafts of a painting before reaching the point where she is satisfied, and
this dedication is what makes her work truly exceptional and eminently collectable.