Painter’s Hub

Over the last few years my wife and I have been working diligently to create international awareness toward the plight of endangered species through the arts.

Figure 1 : Artist Sketching in the field

Figure 2:’In the land of the Cross River Gorilla- Lebialem Highlands’

As an accomplished high realist artist I participated in an expedition deep into the heartland of Cameroon’s highland rainforests in search of the MOST endangered great ape on the planet, the Cross River Gorilla (250-300 alive).

Exploring its habitat with two directors of the African Conservation Foundation, Arend de Haas, my wife Ginette and local conservationist Louis Nkembi, we had to climb straight down into a valley, along a treacherous trail, carrying a heavy load on our back in the unrelenting rains. We lived in gorilla’s habitat to study and sketch this near extinct primate, gathering information for the first ever painting of this elusive, intelligent primate. Goal is to bring international awareness toward its dire plight.

This expedition required surviving upon one month food supplies. Following one of the long and arduous journeys, on heavily eroded red soiled roads, we met at a place with a great assembly of chiefs and a local Fon (King) asking permission to pass through their village land in search of the gorillas. The local villages are very deprived of basic living needs. We explained the mission of our expedition and what the project could offer in return toward the survival of both the gorillas and the villagers. The project’s strategy is to assist the local people with alternative income generating opportunities, such as wildlife farming, beekeeping and eco-tourism, which will reduce the demand for bushmeat.

When we arrived at our base camp we were greeted by many children and 5 women soon to find that this large group are the wives and children of our guide, a kind and handsome man in his early 50’s.

Early next morning we got a wake up call at 5 am by a rooster right next to our tent. Quickly eating and readying our gear we soon started our immediate decent deep into the valley below, greatly anticipating what we are going to find.

The moss covered, weather-worn trail allowed for only one foot directly in front of the other. In addition to deforestation, the area suffers from serious forest degradation. We moved down through intensively used secondary forests and slash-and-burn agricultural plots, with crops such as plantains, cocoa and oil palm. Gradually the vegetation changed into ‘pristine’ but silent rainforest. It rained heavily during the afternoon, but we managed to reach our camp.

Figure 3: A remote school(and this is one of the better ones. Most have walls and roofs falling in)

As a result of negative experiences with hunters, the remaining Cross River gorillas in the area are extremely shy, adding to their enigma even further. We did not get a glimpse of the gorillas, but we are not sure whether they got a glimpse of us. We found many signs such as gorilla nest sites high up in the trees, trails and feeding signs.

In this part of Africa many forests are experiencing what is called the ‘Silent Forest Syndrome’. The forest is still there and no commercial logging has taken place, yet the forests are quiet in a strange way, seemingly devoid of life. All wildlife has been killed by poachers, either for subsistence or for the commercial bushmeat trade. This has serious consequences also for the survival of the forest itself, as there are no animals to disperse the seeds.

Figure 4: Illegally cut Mangrove Trees for fire wood

The next morning we woke up in a new world, with a dramatic view over the deep valley below. We could see a cool mist gently shrouding the mysterious hills in its lush hues of pastel greens and blues — the land of the Cross River Gorilla. Hard to catch in words, this almost mystical experience of seeing this completely wild area, and the smells and sounds of the early morning, makes all the hardship worthwhile and is all the motivation anyone could ask for to conserve these magnificent great apes.

We also lived within very remote villages, and gave conservation lessons to school children, using the arts as the educational tool. An exciting story in itself.

These beautiful people greatly pride themselves on cleanliness, accomplishments and what little possessions they have, inviting us into their homes.

As an artist, over the many years, I have always tried to utilize my work toward the benefit of important causes, so in keeping with this I created the painting of a ‘Cross River Gorilla’ whilst as the same time helping to bring education and awareness to the local villagers and schoolchildren. The project is now a global reality, a dream come, with so many people involved.

We have now joined hands with ‘The Year Of The Gorilla’ www.yog2009.org to bring international attention to these greatly threatened great apes.

Here is the painting in progress showing how the painting is developing, step by step.

Figure 5:Preparing my support

Figure 6:Blocking In

Figure 7:Detailing the fur and hands

Figure 8:Repeating The Process

Figure 9: The Finished Work

A few key points I keep in mind during creating a painting.

1) Creating a well conceived composition and to have a good image in mind before you start is very important toward your final satisfaction. This will make the painting flow toward its intended feel and look.
2) Reference materials are invaluable such as pencil sketches, simple ‘doodles’ and miniature ‘idea’ paintings, photos and background materials on the subject. I can not emphasize enough how important it is to study your intended subject, in the field when possible, well before beginning your work as this will certainly bring out the unique characteristics of the animal in your painting.
3) Patience is certainly a virtue as the trial, both good and bad, may be many, but all of them are an important part of the learning process.
4) The size of the canvas, to me, is not always as important as to what I want the image to say. Usually it is an instant choice of size so that I am free to express the mood I wish to convey toward the particular image.
5) For my work, the fine details are extremely important as well as the anatomical features and colouring of the subject rendered. It is crucial to create what you love as well as to enjoy the process of creating as every painting is a success, every painting is learning and every painting belongs to you.

About the artist and the author:
“An internationally renowned, accomplished Canadian painter and Conservationist, Daniel Taylor is currently involved in a unique project with the ‘African Conservation Foundation’ to raise awareness and funds for Africa’s most endangered species and UN acknowledged  ‘2009-The Year Of The Gorilla’
Daniel Taylor
For more information, please visit:
http://www.youtube.com/user/africonservation

www.art-for-africa.net
www.crossrivergorilla.org
www.yog2009.org
Copyright: ‘African Conservation Foundation’