This painting expresses my horror and rage towards a New York City blood bank that experimented on over 250 chimpanzees for over three decades and then abandoned the few survivors on small islands. I have painted one of them named Bullet in meticulous detail to lovingly represent all of them. Bullet is one of 66 chimpanzees in Liberia who were abandoned by the New York Blood Center. His story is a heartbreaking example of what these chimps have been through at the hands of NYBC. Bullet's right arm was amputated at a very young age when his mother was shot and he was seriously injured. He arrived at NYBC';s lab at three years old and was used in research by NYBC for decades. I have painted him reaching out for help as he stands in blood red water which represents all the blood these apes have shed for human research.

In 2008, no longer needed for research, the chimps were retired to 6 mangrove islands off Liberia's coast. But the islands lacked food and water, leaving the chimps dependent on caregivers who visited once every 2 days. Recently, the lab, which had previously promised to support the apes for life, abruptly cut off funding, leaving them to die.

For more info and to help visit gofundme.com/abandonedchimps sponsored by the Humane Society of the Uni

I have felt the desire to create art since the first time I held a pencil and I've felt a love and concern for animals since the first time I saw one. I have taught myself how to paint and my favorite subject is animals.