About this project
About the Project
The critically endangered black rhinoceros is being pushed to the brink of extinction by illegal poaching for their horn. It tears my heart our when I realize this magnificent animal may disappear from the face of the earth! I want to bring the plight of the rhino to the world’s attention by creating two life-size portraits of the black rhino. As a high realist painter, I am using acrylic paints to build up subtle layers, making the animals appear breathtakingly realistic. High realist paintings take approximately 2-3 months to complete.
What will we do?
Our journey follows the path of a creative vision and ends in Zambia and Malawi with two High Realist paintings of acrylic on canvas. Our goal is to participate in rhino surveys and paint in two world class sanctuaries for the black rhino, one in Zambia and on in Malawi.
Key objectives of the art expedition include:
- Observe the behavior of Black Rhino and conduct a detailed artistic study.
- Make sketches and take photographs of their habitats.
- Conduct an art workshop for local and international participants.
- Learn first hand from local rhino specialists in Zambia and Malawi.
- Complete two original paintings of the Black Rhino and its habitat, the arid landscapes of Southern Africa.
- Develop an exhibition of resulting artwork for display in the UK, US and Canada.
In the process we will create photographs and sketches, and we will keep you updated on these activities and the art works on-the-easel through photos, video and our blog. Each painting will take 2-3 months to complete.
Some Rhino facts
Black rhinos are large vegetarian animals with thick skin and two prominent horns. They can weigh up to 1.5 tons. They are not black (and white rhinos are not white) – in fact both species are grey in colour. They are distinguished from each other by the shape of their lips. Black rhinos have a pointed top lip, while white rhinos have a square lip. The black rhinos’ top lip helps it grasp its food of leaves and twigs of shrubs and small trees. The horns are not bone but are a dense mass of fibres and are similar to fingernails or hooves. Rhinos have poor eyesight but well developed senses of smell and hearing. They are long-lived and have lived up to 45 years old in captivity.
High Realist Art
Realism in the arts is the practice of creating accurate, detailed depictions of people, places or things. The artist must seek out the fine details that make an image come to life for the viewer — to visually recreate the nuances of nature. The process of creating realist art involves the artist learning to perceive its subject more deeply. Detailed field study, sketching, photographing and observing the animal in its natural environment is therefore essential.
For more information, please feel free to contact us: info@artsavingwildlife.org
For more information, please visit the project website: www.artsavingwildlife.org
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ArtSavingWildlife
Risks and challenges
We will have world-class rhino specialists joining the expedition. The greatest risk is the weather conditions while in Zambia and Malawi, because rainy seasons are now less predictable. However, dramatic skies are even desirable! The expedition is therefore planned at the start of the dry season, in April 2013.
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Funding period
- (30 days)