We've set ourselves some task!! Myself and Melbourne wildlife artist
Leigh Rust are donating the profits from up to 15 paintings each, mostly of chimpanzees, to two causes.
The first is to help out the
Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone in West Africa. The people here left behind a 'normal' life to start up and run this sanctuary which cares for orphaned chimps, orphaned because of the bush meat trade, the pet trade and simply through loss of habitat. They do a fabulous job and any help they can get is much appreciated.
The second is to help with the opening of a new chimp facility at Monarto Zoo in the Adelaide Hills, about 70 kms from Adelaide in South Australia. This facility will be opened by the famous chimpanzee researcher and environmental educator Dr Jane Goodall.
The exhibition will be at the Visitor's Centre at Monarto and will open on the same day Dr Goodall will be there so we hope to generate as much publicity as possible. We understand that plenty of people want to help with the cause of chimpanzee survival and our goal is to allow them to help financially while getting something back in return. So they donate 'x' amount of dollars which goes to the chimp work, and in return they get a piece of fine art.
My pieces (so far) are shown below with a few more still to do. Some are scratchboards, some are pastels, varying in size from a tiny 6" x 4" up to 14" x 17". The varying sizes are so that we can provide varying prices to give everyone a chance to help out and own a piece of art.
Time to Think
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The late Pinkie, at the time the world's only known albino chimp.
Turn Back in Anger
Contemplation
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Oops
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