A painting of a saddleback pig

The original painting of a view of a saddleback Pig is 30cm x 30cm and is framed

Since moving from London to Somerset, I have become much more aware of livestock. I often visit local rural shows where various breeds are displayed. Among the pigs, you will find the Saddleback—a British breed recognized for its black body with a distinctive white “saddle” band around the shoulders and front legs.

Hardy and adaptable, Saddlebacks thrive outdoors and are excellent foragers. Known for their docile temperament and high-quality meat, they are valued in sustainable farming and rare breed conservation. I have also noticed that they grow remarkably quickly—reaching an impressive size within just a year.

From time to time, you hear stories of pigs escaping onto vegetable plots. Once they do, they happily eat themselves senseless—a disaster, though still slightly amusing. That mix of character and charm struck me as the perfect subject for a painting.