ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2019 Submission

This is an oil painting of a female Western Gorilla. They live in lowland tropical forests. The Western Gorillas are considered a critically endangered species due to disease hunting and forest destruction. (A reference photo was used for the painting with permission from Daisyree IJben Bakker.)

When I spend quiet time with nature, I find the visual experience evokes a calming and tranquil state of mind and wonderment. It is a time when I sense a spiritual oneness with the world. This is also true with my painting process; I strive to re-live the experience through my oil paintings, and then share it with others who will also enjoy a similar experience. I feel this is beneficial in reminding us that we are not alone in the universe.

In my process, I use imagery that will invoke feelings of awe, peace, and tranquility; these images might include the tender embrace of a child and pet, or the sun shining through the clouds, and closeups of wildlife animals. My brushstrokes are soft to convey a sensitivity. And I use a palette of light colors to impart a sense of spirituality.

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