Twycross Zoo Commission!

Well 2009 is definitley turning out to be a year of wonderful challenges; from a deluge of private commissions and enquiries to a 'gorilla commission' from Twycross Zoo!

Authorization for the gorilla commission was granted with the zoo's intention of auctioning the painting later this year (during September I believe) in aid of the 'Gorilla Conservation Fund'.

Progress so far:

Having had approval for the main photograph I would be working from, a photograph I shot last year of Samsam - one of the zoo's resident male Western Lowland Gorillas, I began the gruelling task, for me the hardest & least enjoyable part, of sketching this hansome young chap, making sure proportions are correct and composition pleasing to the eye. My sketching method leaves alot to be desired and I must keep eraser manufacturers in business all by myself! Once happy with my results, and believe me its hard to please a perfectionist :-), I transferred the completed sketch onto my prepared velour paper and began the enjoyable part of working with my pastels which will hopefully lead to the creation of a finished painting.

So its back to the literal drawing board for me, thankyou for dropping in on my blog and please feel free to leave comments. Bye for now x

The Home of 'Sovereign Prince'

Hi there this is a quick update from a previous post in Aug 08:

During an unforgettable day last Aug I was able to present the wildlife filmaker Simon King with the first limited edition print (1/100) of my then latest painting 'Sovereign Prince' with the understanding that he could either keep it or auction it etc.
Well yesterday I had a lovely surprize - an email from Simon's PA to let me know that Simon kept the print and has it hanging in his home in Somerset!!
Thanks for dropping by and bye for now!

'Forever Waiting' - Bonobo Chimpanzee

Hi there, well this year has flown by, I can't believe we're in mid November already! I've been really busy especially over the last four weeks with an ongoing exhibition at a local garden centre, interest has been high and sales not a dissappointment - six sales in four weeks! This has come as a pleasent surprise considering the state of the economy at the moment.

Anyway I really do need to get cracking on with some new paintings, mainly to enlarge the range of subjects in my Limited Edition Print browser at the exhibition. The aforesaid exhibition will be running up to and through the Christmas season, and then exciting plans are being hatched for the New Year!

So here's my latest finished project, a male Bonobo Chimpanzee that I photographed at Twycross Zoo earlier this year:

This painting is now at the printers waiting to be scanned for the production of 100 Limited Edition Giclee Prints, the first one of which is being donated back to Twycross Zoo to be auctioned in the near future for the raising of funds.

Many thanks for dropping by, take care Kerry x

Snow Leopard Painting Finished!

Well another day in the studio has whizzed by, the outcome being another project complete (well just about, apart from a couple of minor adjustments):

Will be taking this painting to the printers sometime during next week to be scanned for the production of limited edition prints.

Now onto my next project, phew! x

Five More Minutes

Well you know what they say and its true time really does seem to whiz past when you're having fun, but luckily alot of my time has at least been productive with my latest Snow Leopard painting 'Five More Minutes' most likely to be finished by the end of this week.
Just two enormous paws and some snowy foreground left to do!
Thanks for dropping by! x

Me & Simon King

Hi there to all, just a quick post regarding something thats very close to my heart. Today I presented the first limited edition Giclee print (1/100) of 'Sovereign Prince' to the wildlife film-maker Simon King! Wow what a day! I've left any decisions regarding its final resting place to Simon whether it be his home, auction or the bin :-) Will let you know when I find out:
Sorry about the weird angle of the photograph (even after cropping) but my mum's hands were shaking so much it's a wonder it turned out at all :-)

Thanks for taking a peek, bye for now x

Cheetah painting finished

A few hours in the studio today saw the completion of my cheetah painting (as yet untitled), so its now time to get cracking on my snow leopard project! Mum caught me unawares whilst signing this one!
Thanks for taking a peek.