ENDANGERED: Art4Apes is delighted to announce that Deborah Knowlson is our April 2020 Virtual Artist in Residence

Congratulations to Deborah Knowlson for becoming our very first Virtual Artist in Residence. The Virtual Artist in Residence Program is awarded monthly to the artist (or photographer) who has submitted 3 or more entries to the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest 2020 and has been selected by the Curatorial Committee as best interpreting the aims of the Contest.

Artist Statement

I chose the three paintings of Asian elephants to enter into the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest 2020 because they are a family group. The relevance of this in these strange times is that we have all retreated from the world into our own families due to the health situation. Whether our family is just ourselves, or our immediate family, our focus suddenly changed to what is precious and who matters to us. Elephants have incredible ability to bond and feel empathy for their family and herd. In these times we, ourselves, can empathize with this ability and understand that all living creatures are worthy and their family and herd is as important to them as we are to our ourselves. Let's honor that.

My message to other artists who paint wildlife and nature for awareness of conservation and animal welfare is that we often feel like we are not achieving anything by doing so. Who will see our art? Who will understand our message? Will it make any difference in the vast need for humankind to meet all its needs while caring about wildlife and nature? Most days we say, "No, it’s too little and it’s just a drop in the bucket." Yet, many of us keep dropping in the bucket and keep up our small contribution. Our ability to capture the spirit of animals and wildlife and attract people's attention is part of a far bigger picture of individuals who work hard and dedicate their lives and careers to attempting to save species, lands, seas, and skies in a rapidly changing environment with many pressures on nature. Will art make a difference? A person took the time and interpreted something wild or a situation and shared that with others to say, this is relevant, this is important, please look at this. And people do. People like and enjoy various styles and forms of art, there is no right and wrong way to do it. So enter contests; exhibit work, sell and donate pieces, speak up, and keep at it. There is no good that comes from hours of creating that results in a piece sitting in a closet and not shared. There is nothing to lose. Every little bit helps.

See more of Deborah’s work on her Instagram account: @artisindebsnature2

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2020 Submissions

Strength & Wisdom © 2020 Deborah Knowlson | All Rights Reserved

Dignity © 2020 Deborah Knowlson | All Rights Reserved

Hope © 2020 Deborah Knowlson | All Rights Reserved

See more of Deborah’s work below:

Esake

This watercolor to support Lola ya Bonobo, the world's only sanctuary for bonobos rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. Esake was rescued on her way to a wildlife market after her mother was killed by a bushmeat hunter. She is safe at the sanctuary.

Sweet Rosie

Benefitting Indonesian Parrot Project who seek to conserve endangered wild cockatoos and parrots, a watercolor of a cockatoo that lived at Phoenix Landing parrot rescue in North Carolina.

Reaching the Heart

This watercolor was auctioned at the #BeJane exhibition held at the Jane Goodall-Institut, Austria in 2019. It represents the hope that is found by reaching the heart of people to care about wildlife and nature.

Saving the Seas

A common native West Coast Canary Rockfish watercolor in clean, clear water. Exhibited, Duck Pond Winery in Oregon. What is in the sea is as threatened by habitat loss as what is on land.

Vanishing Triassic

Exhibited at the Giustina Gallery at LaSells Stewart Center, Oregon State University. Marine Food Webs: Drifters to Swimmers. Sturgeon, apex predator more endangered than any other group of species.

What Lies Beneath

It represents the primordial beginning of the land on which the American buffalo travels. Having inhabited N. America for over 200,000 years, his kind were hunted by man nearly to extinction.

Baby Shelley

Baby howler monkeys who are victims of power lines in Costa Rica are assisted by the Refuge for Wildlife, Nosara. A watercolor of "Baby Shelley," hangs there, a gift from me to the people there. Wildlife rescue teams are vital to conservation and work hard.

Little Refugee

"Little Refugee" is a watercolor of an Australian Antechinus. This little marsupial struggles greatly in the increasing fires and heat of Australia due to climate change and introduced non-native predators.

Blue Eyes

Among the most threatened primates in the world, the female Blue-Eyed Black Lemur has lost almost all of its wild habitat to farming. This watercolor, "Blue Eyes," is of a captive individual at Duke Lemur Center. One of the last places on earth, they are able to live.

Standing my Ground

"Standing my Ground," a watercolor of the feet of a Blue-Footed Booby. Fabulous feet are a feature of the sea bird living on the much-visited Galapagos Islands. Although common, they decline in reproduction due to loss of food and an increase in plastics in habitat.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR VAiR PROGRAM

The Virtual Artist in Residence Program is awarded monthly to the artist (or photographer) who has submitted 3 or more entries to the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest 2020 and has been selected by the Curatorial Committee as best interpreting the aims of the Contest.

Questions? Lindsey@Art4Apes.com

SUBMIT MY 3 OR MORE ENTRIES