Wildlife Artist of the Year 2011

Details of the DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year 2011 are listed below. I've had one piece shortlisted in this year's exhibition, 'In the Eye of the Tiger'.


MALL GALLERIES
The Mall (near Trafalgar Square)
London, SW1

Monday 6th June

Private Viewing, Reception & Awards
by invitation only

Tuesday 7th - Saturday 11th June
10am - 5pm daily (Saturday to 4pm)
FREE entry

For more information please call DSWF on 01483 272323

The Great Wild Salmon Run - $250K Pepsi Grant

I am involved with The Great Wild Salmon Run later this year - a public art project raising funds for wild salmon conservation. I'm painting one of their 100 salmon blanks, to be displayed during the summer across Seattle, Belleview, Mercer Island and Kirkland.

The sculptures will be auctioned in October, but the project needs funds to help get off the ground. They have been selected as a finalist to receive a $250,000 grant from Pepsi, and need your vote!

Please visit the following address to place a vote. Multiple votes are allowed (and encouraged!)

http://refresheverything.com/greatwildsalmon

Infinity Art Gallery - Animal Arts Exhibit 2011

'Storm Brewing', this pastel I did of a Eurasian Eagle Owl, was awarded 1st place at the Infinity Art Gallery Animal Arts Exhibit 2011

New Species of Snub-nosed Monkey

I've had to keep very quiet about this for the past few weeks, but today the American Journal of Primatology announces the discovery of a new species of primate, the Myanmar snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus strykeri).

© Martin Aveling/Fauna & Flora International

The research that led to this exciting discovery was carried out by the Myanmar Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA), and supported by an international team of primatologists from Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and the People Resources and Conservation Foundation (PRFC). The new monkey was named in honour of John Styker, President and Founder of the Arcus Foundation, who supported the project. As there are currently no images of a living specimen, I was commissioned to produce this illustration for identification purposes. As far as I know, it is the first ever drawing of this new species of monkey.

Sightings of the monkey have been reported from the eastern Himalayas to the north-eastern Kachin state, and it is believed that there are between 260-330 individuals, making it critically endangered. Although the species is new to science, the local people know it well, claiming it's actually quite easy to spot when it rains, because its upturned nose often fills up with water, causing it to sneeze!

Together with their partner organisations, FFI are taking immediate action to safeguard the survival of this important new species.

Elephant Mural in Ghana

I've now posted this video on my own YouTube channel...

Tusk Trust Christie's Auction

In celebration of the Tusk Trust's 20 year anniversary, their co-founder Sir Timothy Ackroyd, is putting together a compilation book of drawings, sketches, doodles and short stories by an extensive collection of know personalities, artists and authors. All the artwork will be auctioned at Christie's later this month to raise funds for the charity.

I donated a piece to the cause. Unfortunately it was too late to be included in the book, but it will be auctioned along with the other lots on the 20th September. To preview the artwork, or to register an interest, click here.

Society of Wildlife Artists 2010

I've had two pieces accepted into this year's Society of Wildlife Artists exhibition, which runs from the 22nd September - 2nd October (10am - 5pm daily).