Simon Drew works in pen and ink with an emphasis on wildlife and everyday subjects. He was born in Reading on 9 October 1952, and was educated at Bradford College, Berkshire.

After reading Zoology at Exeter University, he trained as a teacher at Reading University and taught for five years in West Sussex. In 1981, he established his own gallery in Dartmouth for the sale of illustrations, paintings and the work of studio potters, which – since 1985 – has been short-listed by the British Crafts Council for its high standards. A Book of Bestial Nonsense appeared in 1986 and set the tone for a series of books that marry delightful images of mainly wildlife subjects with quirky, punning captions. He has regularly produced work for Friends of the Earth, including posters and stage designs.

Simon has always said that his aim is to follow the maxim of Paul Klee who tried not to “reproduce the visible but to make visible”. However he has usually ended up producing nonsense and has been described as “half artist, half wit”.

It has often been said that his work can be compared to the greatest art of the last century. In fact it has been compared to a lot of things. Every Season he produces a new list of designs just to make sure that no one can ever say they’ve got them all !