Austen, Winifred (1876–1964)
Austen, Winifred (1876–1964)
English wildlife artist. Name variations: Winifred Marie Louise Austen, Winifred M.L. Austen, "Spink." Born in 1899 in Ramsgate, England; died Nov 1, 1964, in Orford, Suffolk, England; dau. of a naval surgeon.
Accomplished wildlife artist, took up painting professionally at an early age; exhibited many paintings and etchings at Royal Academy and was active on the London art scene (1899–1907); moved to village of Orford in Suffolk (1926) after a brief marriage; produced paintings, etchings, drawings and illustrations of wildlife; also painted postcards for Valentine company to make a living, signing some of these "Spink," which is a local name for chaffinch; illustrated numerous books, including Birds Ashore and Aforeshore by Patrick Chalmers.