Hazel Mountford is a Bristol-based fine art painter whose artwork is a celebration of animals and a call to give wildlife space. Born in Kent, she holds a BA (Hons) from Wimbledon School of Art.

She works in acrylic on custom-made wooden panels, selecting the surface’s shape to actively complement each painting's story. Her practice combines meticulous anatomical study with a deep personal reverence for her subjects. She immerses herself in understanding each animal's characteristics, behaviour, and the challenges they face. Painting life-size, she allows the viewer to fully appreciate the real occupancy of the species. Her subjects are rendered with intricate brushstrokes and captivating depth, each one fixing the viewer with an intense, fleeting gaze that forges a connection across worlds.

Her work has been featured in Art of England, BBC Wildlife Magazine, Artists & Illustrators, and RA Magazine, and has been exhibited internationally in London, New York, Toronto, Singapore, and Hong Kong. She is a multiple finalist in the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year and the winner of the prestigious BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year – British Mammals award.