Some months ago I decided to paint something special for the upcoming 2016 Australian Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference taking place in Melbourne between 1-4th of August.
I wanted to showcase an animal needing care as well as the role of the wildlife carer, which is this year’s conference theme. I was casting about for ideas when I noticed an image posted on Facebook by dedicated possum carer Rhoda
I’m not sure why this little joey caught my attention although it might have been the woeful expression. However, this little girl looked too sad and lost in the photo because she was newly orphaned and this is not what I wanted. I needed the viewer to see what she would look like in another couple of weeks now that she was with an experienced wildlife carer.
In my mind I wanted to give the impression of adventure and movement, whilst still showing that she was under supervision of the carer looking after her. Which is why the index finger is holding her back. I also wanted to show the link she has to the carer by having her paws gripping the hands in some way.
As a carer of kangaroos myself, I love to see that gutsy, naughty personality shine through in their eyes most of all. When you see this you know you are on the right path towards an animal’s rehabilitation so that it can be released back into the wild. So, this was my mission.
Finally I had quite a challenge with the background colour, I did multiple re-works and posted the result on Facebook a couple of times. I loved the red background, Rhoda however, preferred the green so, in the end I compromised and used both.
‘Isabella’ Is a Special Edition painting and limited to just 16 editions, to mark the occasion of the 2016 AWRC. It will only be available during the conference dates and only those signed up for my newsletter (Critter Friends) will be able to pre-order a copy of the 8 editions I am making available especially for them on a first come first serve basis. The rest will be visiting the conference.
5 Comments
Pauline
15/4/2016 08:32:08 am
Sam. We loved this little girl from the moment we saw her photo posted and then to see your amazing art work of this precious little thing. You will never cease to amaze us. Your caring, your love for our wildlife, your love of nature itself and your talent in capturing the essence of what we try to achieve. Preservation of our unique Australian wildlife.
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15/4/2016 10:58:55 am
Thank you Pauline for your kind words, coming from a carer that knows possums it is great praise.
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Pauline
15/4/2016 07:28:32 pm
Sam, your painting will be very well received at the Conference I am sure and it is wonderful news that not only will you be donating such a fabulous artwork, but you will be attending the conference as a carer and have a display of your unique art work for sale. Well done once again. Thankyou for caring! 😘
Tracy Aplin
16/5/2016 02:21:00 pm
That image of you and the two Roos is so stunning it brought me to tears. Now I want an image of me with one or more of my babies on my wall which is still bare after three years. It will happen and it will include a Red Roo or more. One of the reasons for our delay as you know is not being able to obtain a print from you as large as we want it, yet I saw a huge print of yours on the wall at Tina's house so I will be in touch again very soon once I have come to some workable agreement with my other belligerent half.
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Samantha Tro
16/5/2016 05:38:15 pm
If I brought tears then it means I touched your heart with my work and I cannot hope to get greater praise than that, thank you so much for letting me know.
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AuthorSamantha "I'm a person who feels I live in paradise and truly love Australia after immigrating here in 2003. I work as a foreign exchange trader, live with my true soul mate, husband Albert. I have a passion for Aussie wildlife and became a registered wildlife carer in 2005 and can say I feel truly privileged to be able to raise and rehabilitate orphan wallaby/kangaroo joeys. I love these creatures with my heart and soul. My dream is to be able to help struggling volunteer wildlife carers, financially, so that they can do what they do best without worrying how to pay the next vet bill" Archives
December 2018
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