No Mission Impossible | Various Editions | Angus Gardner

No Mission Impossible

By Angus Gardner

An ode to acrobatic brilliance and quiet rebellion, No Mission Impossible captures a red squirrel mid-heist in a richly imagined scene of daring and wit. Set against the backdrop of a Grey Squirrel’s opulent, nut-laden lair—guarded by laser trip wires, a glass cloche, and the ticking clock of midnight—this painting tells the story of a clever Red outsmarting the odds.

Inspired by real conservation struggles, Angus Gardner weaves humour and hope into this intricate piece. Red squirrels, once common across the UK, now cling to pockets of Northern England and Scotland, pushed out by the invasive Grey squirrel and a devastating pox virus. Despite their dwindling numbers, reds are celebrated survivors—ingenious, agile, and tenacious.

Gardner’s love for wildlife shines through in every detail, from the flicker of the firelight to the whimsical “Mission Impossible” atmosphere. It's both a tribute to the Red squirrel’s resilience and a playful nod to their unstoppable determination—something anyone who’s ever tried to squirrel-proof a bird feeder knows all too well.

At once cinematic and intimate, No Mission Impossible invites viewers to root for the underdog and imagine a future where Reds reclaim their rightful woodland homes.