The red squirrel, native to Britain, is now classified as a threatened species. There are a few isolated populations left in the UK and work is currently being undertaken to strengthen and support the squirrels in the hope they may recover numbers.
The squirrel in this painting is from the Brownsea Island group.
Lauren is currently Artist in Residence at Brownsea Island and works with the Dorset Wildlife Trust in an effort to preserve one of the last wild strongholds of this most beautiful small mammal.