An Artist In Africa

New York State of Mind - Variety is the Spice of Life

2012-02-02T15:10:00.000-05:00

I have always believed that variety is the spice of life. That's what keeps me going.

I'm a wildlife artist so I love being away from the rest of the world, deep in the African bush, surrounded by elephants, hornbills and acacias (and yes, I will continue to call them acacias, despite the ruling of the International Botanical Congress in Melbourne that Australia has acacias and Africa has wattles!). But I also love being in the midst of the action, in the heart of New York City, surrounded by busy people, cabs and more than a little lunacy!

So here is an exhibit that looks right up my city street: New York State of Mind at the Flinn Gallery in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Now, have to go, I've got a gazelle painting to finish...!
Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Stage 4 - Sun Spots by Alison Nicholls

2012-01-25T02:00:00.061-05:00

Sun Spots by Alison Nicholls, acrylic, 30 x 30"

So... finally... here is the finished painting. If you have been following the various stages (see previous posts) - thank you for your patience! Sun Spots is 30 x 30" and I can officially say that I have acquired a taste for working large! This causes logistical problems in the studio because I don't paint on an easel so I need plenty of flat space. I also like to tip the painting this way and that to move the loose washes of color around. And storage becomes a consideration. But even so, I see plenty more large pieces in my artistic future!

Cheetahs (detail) by Alison Nicholls

In the previous posts you can see how I came to the composition. The painting itself was a pleasure to create as I was able to use my largest brushes, with entire sweeps of the arm, to add those vivid hot colors. Once the washes were finished I began work on the cheetahs and then it sat for some time during the holidays and I thought it was finished. But when I came back to it, I realized it needed something else. So I added some thicker, textured acrylic in the top and bottom left corners, to give it some weight around the edges. Then it just needed a name. Sun Spots sums it up for me. Do you agree?

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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2012-01-20T02:00:00.007-05:00

Cheetahs color study by Alison Nicholls, actual size 11 x 17"

Finally...painting!

The color study is one of my favorite stages of a painting. It gives me a chance to experiment, using paint in a very loose manner. Often there are elements of the color study that I prefer to the finished painting. Many artists will tell you this, that there is something more spontaneous about the study. Perhaps because there is no pressure. I am usually working on a scrap of paper rather then a more imposing painting-ready board. If it fails I just do it again. And of course, because there is no pressure, they rarely fail!

I keep my color studies, pinning them on my studio noticeboard. And one day, I hope I'll manage to consistently get the same spontaneity into my full-sized paintings. That will be a great day!

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Painting Stage 2 - Cheetahs by Alison Nicholls

2012-01-17T02:00:00.006-05:00

Cheetah studio sketches by Alison Nicholls, actual size 6 x 10"

Even though I had already created a couple of thumbnails for this new painting (see previous post), I went back to the drawing board, literally, as I wasn't happy with the composition. Often this is just the way it goes, I keep on drawing until I find that magical composition (magical for me, and hopefully magical for the viewer too!). I wanted more of a circular design for this piece and I just couldn't get that to work with 3 cheetahs (see left sketch, above) so I removed 1 of them and tried again. I felt that the composition was much more successful with only 2 cheetahs - now it has a flow to it.

Cheetah studio drawing by Alison Nicholls, actual size 10 x 12"

My next step was to create a larger, more detailed drawing. It is only at this stage that I may refer to photos to check the anatomy of the animals. Of course I don't have a photo like this, so it is still a matter of applying my knowledge of cheetahs to my drawing. As you can see, even in pencil I made some attempt to show the circular nature of the color washes I would use. The circles may even imply the outline of a hot sun - very appropriate for that hot day in the Serengeti.

Next time - the color study. Finally - I get to paint!

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Stages of a Painting - Cheetahs by Alison Nicholls

2012-01-13T10:29:00.000-05:00


Cheetah thumbnail sketches by Alison Nicholls, actual sizes 1.5 x 2.5"

After rather a long Holiday Hiatus (!) I'm back with the stages of my latest painting, which is currently still untitled. It was inspired by the time I spent in July 2011 watching 3 cheetahs in the Serengeti in the midday heat. Not only were they were overly optimistic about the size of prey they should hunt, but they were also completely unconcerned about concealing themselves. As a result they were not successful in their hunting attempts!

Although my painting was initially inspired by my field sketches of these 3 rather incompetent brothers, I tend to drift quickly away from my sketches and compose an entirely new piece, based partly on my memories and partly on the desire to create an interesting or even intriguing painting. My thumbnail sketches show the 3 cheetahs in various poses. My intention was to start the composition higher on the left and lower it towards the right. Space is a recurring theme in my work and in the 2nd thumbnail you can see how I left plenty of free space to allow for interesting washes of color.

In the next stage - how I completely changed my mind and got rid of 1 cheetah!

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Sketching the Maasai & their Cattle in Tanzania - New Video by Alison Nicholls

2011-12-16T10:05:00.000-05:00

In mid July I embarked upon my 2nd Conservation Expedition, visiting the African People & Wildlife Fund (APW) in northern Tanzania. APW works to conserve biodiversity by alleviating poverty and providing employment opportunities to local communities. During my visit I spent time sketching at the Loibor Siret stream, where the Maasai were watering their cattle. The sights and sounds were overwhelming and I was in my element sketching there with all the activity going on around me.

Here is a short video of my field sketching. The sketches shown in the video will be available as limited edition giclées in the near future. I hope you enjoy them!

For more information about APW please visit the African People & Wildlife Fund website.

For more information about my art and expeditions, please visit my Conservation Expeditions Page.

Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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New Range of Limited Edition Field Sketches by Alison Nicholls

2011-12-13T02:00:00.011-05:00

Zebras Drinking, field sketch by Alison Nicholls, Limited edition of 10

Just in time for the Holiday Season I have a new range of limited editions available. These are all reproductions of pages from my field sketchbooks. Some are African (from Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania) while others are North American (from Yellowstone National Park). You can find them all on the Field Sketches page of my website.

The original sketches are pencil and watercolor, completed in the field while I watched the wildlife. On occasions, the watercolor has been added back at camp as time and space are usually severely limited when sketching moving wildlife from a vehicle. Each giclée (reproduction) is a limited edition of 10, reproduced at the same size as the original, printed using archival inks on watercolor paper.

American Bison, field sketch by Alison Nicholls, Limited edition of 10

I know that I, like many viewers, am always interested to see an artist's sketchbook as I feel it really shows the skills and interests of the artist. I hope that you enjoy seeing these excerpts from my sketchbooks. And if you are interested in ordering from these very limited editions, please drop me an email or visit my Field Sketches website page.

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Audubon Greenwich Exhibition & Reception - Saturday December 3rd

2011-11-29T09:52:00.000-05:00

Lamar Valley Field Sketch by Alison Nicholls

Preparations are ongoing for my Audubon Greenwich exhibition, featuring my African and North American field sketches and studio paintings. Paintings are framed, limited edition field sketches are printed and now I'm putting together information boards and labels. Or I will be once I finish this blog post!

So come along and join me on Saturday December 3rd for a glass of wine at my Opening Reception 1-4pm, with a 30-minute talk at 2pm. The exhibition runs for the month of December and I'll also be at Audubon Greenwich on Tuesday December 6th from 10am - noon and Thursday December 15th from 2-4pm.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Fringe-Eared Oryx - Commissioned Acrylic by Alison Nicholls

2011-11-25T02:00:00.002-05:00

Fringe-eared Oryx original acrylic commission by Alison Nicholls

During my stay at the African People & Wildlife Fund conservation project in July, I also visited Tarangire National Park, to sketch the lovely Fringe-eared Oryx, in order to complete this commission. The distant hills are taken from another sketch I did that same afternoon after we found the oryx. Those of you familiar with my work may know that it is unusual for me to include any recognizable landscape features in my paintings. But commissions are very different to paintings produced only to my own requirements. I don't do many commissions but every now and again I find them refreshing, partly because my opinion is not the only one that counts in considering the final success of the piece.

I'm looking forward to seeing this oryx painting framed and hanging in its new home!

If you are interested in commissioning your own personal artwork, please feel free to call or drop me an email.

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Fringe-Eared Oryx - Tarangire Field Sketches by Alison Nicholls

2011-11-22T02:00:00.022-05:00

Adult Fringe-eared Oryx, Tarangire Field Sketch by Aliosn Nicholls

During my stay at the African People & Wildlife Fund (APW) conservation project in July, I also visited Tarangire National Park, which is adjacent to APW's headquarters. My mission was to find and sketch the beautiful Fringe-eared Oryx, in order to complete a commissioned painting.

Young Fringe-eared Oryx, Field Sketches by Alison Nicholls

These oryx, which only occur in limited parts of east Africa, and which I had not seen before, differ from the gemsbok of southern Africa in several respects, perhaps the most obvious being their browner coloring and the lovely fringes of dark hair that adorn their ears. They were extremely skittish at first but I'm glad to say that one afternoon we found about a dozen adults and even a creche of youngsters which I sketched!

In my next post I'll show you the finished commission.

If you are interested in commissioning your own personal artwork, please feel free to drop me an email.

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Maasai, Cattle and Dust - Sketching at a Village Waterpump in Tanzania

2011-11-18T02:00:00.000-05:00

Maasai Herds at the Waterpump, field sketch by Alison Nicholls

I knew in advance that my visit to the African People & Wildlife Fund in Tanzania was going to involve much more sketching of people than wildlife. In preparation, I attended life drawing classes, working from a model, and also spent time sketching people in Manhattan. This was good practice because when I arrived in Tanzania I spent 2 weeks sketching children at the summer camp and staff at the project. But then one afternoon we drove past the village waterpump, where hundreds of cattle were waiting in the trees, held back from the water by the Maasai herdsmen. It was such an evocative scene and I knew I wanted to go back there and sketch, but sensitivity to the feelings of the local community is paramount and the last thing I wanted was for people to be offended or annoyed. But that is the great thing about carrying a sketchbook rather than a camera. I arranged to sketch cattle in the boma of one of the Village Game Scouts and then headed to the waterpump. Pretty soon the Maasai men were coming up to look at my sketches. They seemed impressed but were generally bemused by the fact that I had come from America to draw cows!

That was fine with me! I could have stayed there for days. The entire atmosphere lent itself to my painting style - the huge thirsty herds waiting their turn under the knarled trees in the distance, the bright red robes of the Maasai as they whistled and used their sticks to keep the waiting cattle in check, the fine white dust kicked up by the feet of the released cattle as they ran towards the water. At first sight the place had an air of confusion but gradually, as you watched, you could see order in the chaos. It was a sight I won't forget, and a sight that filled me with contradictory feelings. As an artist, the scene was inspirational, but I also know the severe environmental impact that so many cattle can have. Seeing such numbers in one place brought the conservation issues into sharp focus, despite the dusty scene in front of me. I know that day will inspire many of my paintings and I hope to sketch there again on my next visit to APW in early 2012.

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Hot Lion - Serengeti Field Sketch by Alison Nicholls

2011-11-11T09:44:00.000-05:00

Hot Lion! Serengeti Field Sketch by Alison Nicholls

We stumbled upon this hot male lion one afternoon in the Serengeti. He was panting heavily and obviously waiting for the cooler evening temperatures. Sketching animals with their mouths open can be quite difficult. By sketching a lion's teeth, it is very easy to make him look more ferocious than intended. By using hot reds and oranges I attempted to convey the impression of the heat and hopefully make it clear that this lion is panting, rather than yawning or roaring.

To see more of my African and North American field sketches please join me on December 3rd for the opening of From Sketch to Studio, my exhibition at Audubon Greenwich (613 Riversville Road, Greenwich, CT 06831). If you can't visit the show, you can find more sketches on the Field Sketches page of my website.

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Artists For Conservation Festival - a Roundup!

2011-11-09T12:07:00.000-05:00

Grouse Mountain Resort, Vancouver

Where on earth to begin?!

I have just returned from a whirlwind visit to Vancouver for the Artists For Conservation Festival. My flight arrived on Friday afternoon and I literally ran into my hotel room and out again, to get up to Grouse Mountain Resort for the VIP Festival Gala dinner. Getting up to Grouse Mountain Resort involves a beautiful gondola ride and my attire caused much confusion among passing hikers who obviously thought I had lost my mind heading up the mountain in a long dress and high heels. Luckily I was soon joined in the gondola by many more similarly attired people heading to the gala!

Unveiling of Robert Bateman's latest painting, donated to AFC.

During the cocktail reception Robert Bateman unveiled his latest painting which he has generously donated to AFC. Throughout the evening there was a debate about how many wolves are in the piece. Turns out there are 7!

Robert Bateman talks about his work.

We sat down to dinner (some lovely wild caught salmon) and Robert Bateman gave the keynote lecture. Jeff Whiting (founder and director of AFC) spoke about the organization, its aims and the exhibition of artwork. Guy Combes then presented Dr Guy Harvey with the AFC Simon Combes Conservation Award, named in honour of his father, Simon Combes.

Robert Bateman gives the Gala Keynote Address.

Alison Nicholls and sculptor Terry Woodall

Dr Guy Harvey receives the Simon Combes Conservation Award from Guy Combes.

The following day was packed with lectures and film screenings. Robert Bateman, Guy Harvey and David Kitler gave great lectures while we also saw the premiere screening of "How an Artist saved the Mountain Gorilla", about Stephen Quinn and Jeff Whiting's expedition to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to retrace Carl Akeley's own expedition years before. It is always wonderful to see what everyone else is up to, particularly those artists who work outside of your own area. I spent the day immersed in mountain gorillas, sharks and harpy eagles!

Artists head to the Hiwus Feasthouse for dinner.

Saturday night was the Artists Appreciation dinner in the Hiwus Feasthouse, a short hike (along with provided mini crampons) through the snow. It was a cold but beautiful evening and the mountain was looking stunning. The glass of red wine at the end of the walk was very welcome too!

A wonderful cultural evening at the Hiwus Feasthouse.

We were treated to a cultural display by William Kwel-a-a-Nexw of the Squamish First Nation. The drumming and ancestral songs were both moving and inspiring, as was the whole evening. I felt a great sense of camaraderie among the artists and was so glad I had made the journey from New York.

Guy Combes lectures about Soysambu Conservancy, Kenya.

Sunday was another day packed with lectures and films, all free to the public. Guy Combes, Kelly Dodge, Terry Woodall and I all gave lectures ranging from Africa to the Galapagos Islands and Lake Baikal in Russia. Dr Guy Harvey showed the Canadian Premiere of his latest amazing film "The is Your Ocean: Sharks".

My AFC Festival lecture.

The AFC exhibition continues this week before moving to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona. There are also more lectures, artist demonstrations and workshops for children. As I said at the beginning 'Where on Earth to Begin'? Well Grouse Mountain, Vancouver seems a very good place to start!

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Artists For Conservation Festival & Exhibition, Vancouver, Canada

2011-11-04T02:00:00.020-04:00

Artists For Conservation festival, Vancouver, Canada

As you read this, I am on my way to Vancouver, Canada for the Artists For Conservation Festival featuring wildlife art, lectures, film screenings and demonstrations by some of the best wildlife artists you'll find anywhere. Robert Bateman will be speaking at the VIP Gala on Friday night and you will be able to talk to many of the exhibiting artists, including me, during the weekend.

The Festival is being held at the beautiful Grouse Mountain Resort. I will be giving a free lecture on Sunday November 6th at 3.30pm at the Grouse Mountain Theatre in the Sky. Please come along and join me as I talk about how my art is inspired by wildlife conservation.

I hope to see you there!

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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From Sketch to Studio - Art Exhibition by Alison Nicholls

2011-11-01T09:32:00.000-04:00


An Exhibit of Field Sketches & Studio Paintings by Wildlife Artist Alison Nicholls, at Audubon Greenwich, CT.

Hello!

Please join me in December for my exhibition, From Sketch to Studio, at Audubon Greenwich (Greenwich, CT) in which I will be showing my field sketches and original studio paintings, both African and North American. My pencil and watercolor sketches will include antelope in Namibia and wolves in Yellowstone, while my studio paintings will include original watercolors and my newer acrylic ink works.

I hope you will join me for the Opening Reception on December 3rd between 1-4pm. At 2pm I will give a 30-minute talk about field sketching, studio painting and my work with African conservation projects. Admission is free. 15% of painting and sketch sales will benefit Audubon Greenwich and 15% will benefit various African and North American conservation projects.

The exhibit will be held at Audubon Greenwich, 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich, CT 06831, and will run from December 2nd - 31st, 2011. Audubon Greenwich is open Monday - Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm, and Sunday: noon - 5 pm. Please check for holiday hours (203-869-5272).

If you have friends with an interest in wildlife, Africa or art, please bring them along. Thank you!

I hope to see you on December 3rd for Art and a little Holiday cheer!

Until next time...

Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Artists For Conservation Festival - Grouse Mountain Resort, Vancouver, Canada

2011-10-28T02:00:00.009-04:00

Artists For Conservation Festival, November 4-13, 2011

In early November, join me as I attend the 1st Artists For Conservation (AFC) Festival at Grouse Mountain Resort, Vancouver, Canada, featuring 10 days of art and environmental education. In addition to a world-class art exhibit, featuring leading wildlife artists and naturalists from around the world, you can see live painting & sketching demonstrations, hear lectures and see the premiere of AFC's 1st documentary.

Blue Wildebeest by Alison Nicholls, exhibited at AFC Festival

The VIP Gala will be held on November 4th and world-renowned artist Robert Bateman will give the festival's opening address. Many of the exhibiting artists will be attending events throughout the festival and this is an excellent chance to talk to them about their work. Several artists, myself included, will be giving art demos, lectures and art workshops.

So please come and join us!
Further details can be found on the AFC Festival Schedule.

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Landscapes Around Noloholo - Tanzania Sketches by Alison Nicholls

2011-10-25T02:00:00.019-04:00

Landscapes around Noloholo - Tanzania Field Sketches by Alison Nicholls

This is a page of my Drawing Upon Community sketchbook, created during my July 2011 visit to the African People & Wildlife Fund (APW) in northern Tanzania. This trip is my 2nd Conservation Expedition and my aims are to learn about local conservation issues by spending time with APW staff, and to create an expedition sketchbook, in which I document my entire expedition. This page shows 4 dry-season landscapes, painted looking out from different parts of the Noloholo Environmental Center (APW's headquarters). I am returning to APW in the spring of 2012, in the wet season, so I intend to paint the same 4 scenes again, to show the differences in the seasons. This is always an interesting exercise and I look forward to showing you the comparison sketches early next year!

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Medicinal Trees Near Noloholo - Tanzania Field Sketches by Alison Nicholls

2011-10-21T02:00:00.014-04:00

Oloisuki Tree (Zanthoxylum chalybeum), Field Sketches by Alison Nicholls

In mid July I embarked upon my 2nd Conservation Expedition, titled Drawing Upon Community, in which I visited the African People & Wildlife Fund (APW) in northern Tanzania. My aims are to learn about the conservation issues in the area by spending time with APW staff, and to create an expedition sketchbook, in which I document the whole expedition and all items of interest I encounter during my visits.

The 1st week of my visit coincided with the APW Children's Summer Camp in which local school children stay at APW and learn about their local environment and conservation issues in the area. One of the activities arranged for them was a Medicinal Tree Walk, conducted by elders from the local Maasai community, who showed the children how they use local trees for medicinal purposes. One of the most useful trees is the Oloisuki (in KiMaasai) or Zanthoxylum chalybeum, a type of knobthorn. It has incredibly sharp thorns on its leaves and smaller branches, but if you can get past those, its seed pods, flowers and seeds can be used to treat fever, while the roots can be used to treat stomach-ache. The sketch below shows an APW staff member, Lengurwa, cutting Oloisuki tree roots to treat a friend's stomach-ache.

Lengurwa cutting medicinal tree roots, sketch by Alison Nicholls

When I return to APW in spring of 2012, I plan to produce field sketches of more medicinal trees in the surrounding area. And, although they are incredibly effective, I hope I won't be needing to use any of them!

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Africa Geographic Magazine Art Safari - Video and Field Sketch by Alison Nicholls

2011-10-18T02:00:00.031-04:00

My previous post explains a little about my July 2011 Art Safaris for Africa Geographic magazine.
Here is the accompanying Video!

And here is one my my July 2011 bush sketches in watercolor and pencil. The sketches were completed in pencil while I sat watching a group of lions resting up in the middle of the day. A herd of zebra and impala appeared nearby and 1 young lioness stalked off into the bushes trying to outflank them. She soon returned to join the others when she was spotted! The watercolor was added later, back at camp.

Lion Field Sketches by Alison Nicholls, July 2011

If you are interested in joining me on future safaris, please contact Africa Geographic magazine, or visit the Art Safaris page of my website where new Art Safari information will be shown as it becomes available.

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Africa Geographic Magazine Art Safari - with Wildlife Sketch Artist Alison Nicholls

2011-10-14T02:00:00.013-04:00

Africa Geographic Art Safari, South Africa, July 2011

In late July 2011, I lead an Art Safari for Africa Geographic magazine in South Africa. We stayed at The Bush House in Madikwe Game Reserve and 7 guests joined me from 4 different countries, all with differing levels of art and African safari experience.

Although it was winter (normally a beautiful time of year in the southern African bush) we did have unusually cold windy weather, but despite that we managed to sketch both landscapes and wildlife, thanks to the wonderful waterhole at the lodge. Elephants and buck, a large herd of buffalo and even lionesses with cubs, drank there during our 4 night stay. The Bush House is a small lodge which meant that we had the entire place to ourselves and were able to arrange the day's schedule around our sketching activities. We sketched wildlife on game drives and from the waterhole, often using the mid-morning for a landscape demonstration. Our guide, Debbie, was also an artist, which meant she was very aware of our sketching needs.

The Bush House, Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Here is a testimonial from one of the Art Safari guests:

What I loved about this art safari is that you don't have to be an artist to fully enjoy yourself. Art and science depend on "intense seeing" and if you want to sit quietly and watch animals move and interact with their environment and each other, an art safari provides the opportunity to fully explore and understand what you are seeing without the rushing about that so often prevails on traditional game viewing safaris. For the artist, the experience is unparalleled and heightened on every level. Alison Nicholls is a generous and knowledgeable leader/teacher, helping you understand how animals are built, how they move and why they behave as they do. What better way to understand an animal than to draw or paint it? Alison is also a lovely and amusing traveling companion. I've been on over eighteen safaris and have never so thoroughly enjoyed my animal watching experiences. In fact, I cannot imagine going on future safaris without a sketchbook and pencil in my backpack and taking the time to sit, watch, listen, and to really "see" and record the marvels unfolding before me.

Penelope, Art Safari guest 2011.

If you are interested in joining me on future safaris, please contact Africa Geographic magazine, or visit the Art Safaris page of my website where new Art Safari information will be shown as it becomes available.

Look out for my next post on Tuesday when I'll have a short Video about the Art Safari.
Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Cheetah Conservation Fund - Washington DC Fundraiser

2011-10-14T02:00:00.012-04:00

Looking Out Limited edition giclee by Alison Nicholls

If you have a love for cheetahs and their conservation, you might be interested to hear about a special evening hosted by the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s Washington, D.C. Chapter. This year’s benefit (the DC Chapter's 10th) will be held in the offices of Foley & Lardner LLP in Georgetown (3000 K Street, NW, Suite 600) overlooking the Potomac River. Dr. Laurie Marker, Founder and Executive Director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, is the special guest and keynote speaker.

There will be a silent auction during the event to benefit CCF and I have donated a limited edition giclee of Looking Out for the event. So don’t miss this unique opportunity to meet a live cheetah, Anatolian shepherd and the world’s leading expert on cheetahs in the beautiful setting of Foley & Lardner’s Georgetown offices!

For event tickets please click here.

For further details of the CCF fundraising calendar please click here.

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Mamaroneck Artists' Guild - Active Awards Show

2011-10-07T02:00:00.003-04:00

Dune Dweller original watercolor, 8x10" by Alison Nicholls

The Mamaroneck Artists' Guild is currently showing its annual Active Awards Show, featuring work in many mediums by Active Members of the guild. There are many wonderful works exhibited so please come and visit if you are in the area. You will find my painting, Dune Dweller, in the show - a painting showing a male Springbok walking through the heat of the Namibian dunes.

The Mamaroneck Artists' Guild is located at 126 Larchmont Avenue, Larchmont, NY 10538. Opening hours are Tuesday- Saturday 12-5pm.

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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African People & Wildlife Fund - Summer Camp Drawing Class Video

2011-10-04T02:00:00.017-04:00

In July 2011 I visited the African People & Wildlife Fund (APW) in Tanzania for my 2nd Conservation Expedition, titled "Drawing Upon Community". My visit coincided with the 2nd APW Children's Summer Camp, in which children from local primary schools visit the project for a week to learn about conservation and environmental issues. During the camp, I taught a drawing class for the children, using my Wildlife Drawing Cards. I made a short video to show you a little more about the project and the summer camp. Please see my September 20th post to read more about APW and the Noloholo Environmental Center.

I hope you enjoy the video! Please let me know what you think.

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Wildlife Conservation Network - 10th Annual Expo

2011-09-30T02:00:00.001-04:00

Conservationists at the 2010 WCN Expo

If you happen to be in the San Francisco area this weekend, you should head along to the Mission Bay Conference Center for the 10th Annual Wildlife Conservation Network Expo. The Expo takes place on October 1st from 10am - 6pm and showcases all the great conservation projects supported by WCN. In addition to meeting the conservationists in person, you can also hear them talk about their inspiring projects. If you are interested in conservation, there is no better place to be. Where else can you listen to Dr Jane Goodall, Dr Gregory Rasmussen, Dr Laurie Marker and Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton (along with many others) in one venue?!

For further details please visit the Wildlife Conservation Network website.

Until next time...
Alison

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Children's Sketches - Noloholo Summer Camp 2011

2011-09-27T02:00:00.007-04:00

Each year the African People & Wildlife Fund, based near Tarangire National Park in Tanzania, run Summer Camps for local school children at their headquarters - the Noloholo Environmental Center. The children are members of their school Wildlife Clubs and come to Noloholo to learn about their local environment and conservation issues in the area.

During my visit to the project I used my Wildlife Drawing cards to teach the children how to draw animals, using simple shapes and connecting these to create the outline of the animal.

Here are some of their finished drawings - I'm sure you'll agree that they are quite accomplished.

I'm looking forward to visiting APW again in early 2012 and working with these children again.

Until next time...
Alison

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World Rhino Day 2011 - Stop Poaching Now!

2011-09-22T02:00:00.020-04:00

Darkness watercolor by Alison Nicholls

My normal Friday blog post is here a day early to coincide with World Rhino Day 2011. In 2007 13 rhino were killed for their horns in South Africa. In 2010 the figure was 333. So far, in 2011, 291 rhino have been poached. I started writing this post in early September and had to update it with new, higher poaching figures every couple of days. I am sure that the figure will have increased since I published this.

As a wildlife artist deeply committed to conserving wild lands and all the creatures that inhabit them, I find the current African rhino poaching epidemic abhorrent on so many levels. The belief in traditional eastern medicine that rhino horn has medicinal qualities, is categorically false, yet demand grows. The involvement of some impoverished poachers is sad yet understandable, given their economic situation. The greed and ruthlessness of the poaching syndicates surprises no-one considering the rich rewards. But there are 2 things about recent South African poaching cases that almost beggar belief. First is the involvement of veterinarians, game relocation specialists, game reserve employees and others whose professions would suggest their commitment to animal welfare. And second is the laughably low level of fines and prison sentences given to those who are caught red-handed.

Many South Africans are outraged by this brutal treatment of an iconic animal and there are numerous organizations doing great work combating all aspects of the problem. At the moment it seems there are 2 main efforts - combating the demand and combating the poaching. On the demand side, great work is being done by Active Conservation Awareness Program (ACAP), a high impact campaign, focused mainly across Asia, working to stop the demand and combat the illegal consumption of endangered species through its powerful message ‘When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can too’.

I believe that if more people saw what poaching really looks like, they would think twice about using rhino horn. Here is a very good example - an account of the aftermath of a rhino poaching incident by Dr William Fowlds: Geza - a Life Cut Short (from the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation website). The images in this piece are difficult to see but I believe they need to be seen. Please share them.

On this World Rhino Day 2011, I have decided to donate 40% from sales of Darkness (above) to ACAP. The original watercolor of Darkness is 20x16" unframed and priced at US$1590 but there are also 10x8" limited edition reproductions available at US$59 each, exclusive of shipping. Please contact me for further details. Thank you.
Lets hope that the 2012 World Rhino Day is a celebration of the end of the slaughter.

Until next time...
Alison

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Wildlife Drawing Class - Teaching Art at Noloholo, Tanzania

2011-09-20T02:00:00.010-04:00

Teaching wildlife drawing at Noloholo Summer Camp, Tanzania

One morning I taught a drawing class for the students using my laminated Wildlife Drawing Cards (Neovitus was my interpreter as my KiSwahili is not what you might call fluent!). The cards show a photograph of an African animal, a simple drawing of the animal using circles and other shapes, then a more detailed drawing showing how the shapes are combined to create the animal's outline. I have donated sets to several African conservation projects and brought 3 sets with me on this trip - 1 for Noloholo and 1 for each of the local primary schools. Next time I'll show you some of the children's drawings.

(In a couple of months, my Wildlife Drawing cards will have their first outing in Canada when I use them at a workshop as part of the Artists For Conservation annual show - more about that in future posts.)

Until next time...
Alison

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Serengeti Field Sketch - watercolor by Alison Nicholls

2011-09-16T02:00:00.007-04:00

Western Serengeti landscape, field sketch by Alison Nicholls

This was my first Serengeti landscape sketch. We had stopped near Grumeti for breakfast, atop a lovely kopje (hilltop). Our guide informed us that 2 weeks ago these plains had been covered with wildebeest - not something we particularly wanted to hear as we had been days behind the migration since arriving in the park! Despite our concerns that we would never catch up with the elusive wildebeest, we could not deny that this was a beautiful scene. So of course I decided to paint it.

Alison Nicholls sketching in the Serengeti, July 2011

My sketching kit is very minimal, so setting up is not difficult. I need a rock to sit on, I have my sketchbook on my knees and my paints and brushes in my hand. I did have to find a fairly flat spot for my mug of tea though. For this sketch I didn't use any pencil outline, I went straight to the watercolor. The sky came first, with some of the same blue-grey pulled down into the plains. While that dried I had a hard-boiled egg. Next came the hills and the plains. While that dried I had a leg of chicken. Then came the final touches - the trees. And finally I drank my tea. With painting and breakfast over, we set off again to try and find some wildebeest.

Until next time...
Alison

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Noloholo Environmental Summer Camp - African People & Wildlife Fund, Tanzania

2011-09-13T11:40:00.000-04:00

Children arriving for Noloholo Environmental Summer Camp

My July 2011 visit to the African People & Wildlife Fund in northern Tanzania was scheduled to coincide with the arrival of local school children for the 2nd Noloholo Summer Camp of the year. The preconditions of attendance at the Summer Camp are that the children have received good school grades and are regular attendees of their school's Wildlife Club. APW facilitated the setup of the Wildlife Clubs in response to local interest, and members take part in extracurricular activities such as bird walks, tree identification and village clean-ups. Coordinating activities with the Wildlife Clubs is an important role for APW's Conservation Education Officer, Neovitus Sianga, with whom I worked closely during my time at the Noloholo Environmental Center.

In the photograph above, you see the children arriving at Noloholo and being given a tour of the premises by Charles Trout and Dr Laly Lichtenfeld of APW. This photo shows the children learning about the solar panel system, generously donated by the Wildlife Conservation Network. The system consists of two solar water heaters, a solar water pump, 24 solar panels and 16 deep cycle batteries. Luckily for me, the entire system went live just prior to my arrival so I had access to 24 hour power and filtered water during my stay!

Until next time...
Alison

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Dr Rasmussen To Lecture At Wolf Conservation Center, South Salem

2011-09-09T02:00:00.008-04:00

Painted Dog (African Wild Dog) wearing tracking collar, Zimbabwe

On September 23rd 2011, Dr Gregory Rasmussen of the Painted Dog Conservation project (PDC) in Zimbabwe will speak about Painted Dogs (African wild dogs) at the Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) in South Salem, New York. Although the prime focus of the WCC is wolves, they encourage the conservation of all wild species and as a result often host speakers on topics other than wolves.

Dr Rasmussen will speak about painted dogs, his life with this fascinating species and the role PDC plays in Zimbabwean communities: educating people about the importance of healthy painted dog populations and employing conservation methods to improve the outlook for this beautiful predator. PDC faces many challenges similar to those faced by wolf recovery programs here in the US so the discussion should be both interesting and informative. After the lecture, guests will visit Ambassador wolves Atka, Alawa, and Zephyr as well as the WCC's critically endangered red wolves and Mexican gray wolves.

50% of the program’s proceeds will be donated to PDC.

Pre-registration is required and the fee is $15 per person.

Register Here for this event. I hope to see you there!

Until next time...
Alison

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New Field Sketches Page - NichollsWildlifeArt.com

2011-09-06T02:00:00.012-04:00

Black rhinoceros field sketch, pencil & watercolor

Sketching in the bush is vital to my art, both in the field and back home in the studio. Sketching an animal, (or anything else for that matter) really forces you to concentrate on the details, and as a result you see things others may not notice. Although I have always used my sketches in my monthly email newsletters and on this blog, I have not included them on my website until now, mainly because my personal sketches are not for sale. However, they are such an integral part of my art that I decided to create a new Field Sketches page which contains sketches from several of my most recent trips. There will be plenty of new Tanzania sketches coming soon so watch out for those, and I may even start to reproduce some sketches in very small limited editions, so if there is a piece you particularly enjoy, please let me know.

Enjoy the new Field Sketches page!
Until next time..
Alison

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Serengeti Field Sketch - Plains Zebra by Alison Nicholls

2011-09-02T10:58:00.000-04:00

Plains Zebra, Serengeti, Field sketch, pencil & watercolor, 11x17"

Along with the wildebeest herds in the Serengeti, there were plenty of Plains zebra (which we would call Burchell's zebra in southern Africa). I saw several pairs standing like this - resting their heads of the back of a fellow herd member. Each zebra's tail keeps flies away from the other's head, while giving them both a comfortable resting position and a good view in all directions.

This sketch was completed in pencil as I watched the zebra from a vehicle. I added the watercolor later and decided to add an acacia tree by painting negative spaces to show the shape of the trunk and branches. When choosing my colors, I used yellows and reds in the background to show the heat of the day. I painted the zebra stripes in blue, but added pale red watercolor shadows to their bellies and legs to show some of the reflected heat there too.

I'm currently working on a painting of this sketch, in which I am focusing mostly on the mares' heads. I'll let you see that when I finish it!

Until next time...
Alison

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Africa Geographic Art Safaris - South Africa 2011

2011-08-30T02:00:00.005-04:00

Art Safari at The Bush House, Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Towards the end of July I flew from Tanzania down to South Africa to lead Art Safaris for Africa Geographic magazine. We saw plenty of wildlife even though we experienced some unseasonally cold winds in Madikwe Game Reserve. Despite the wind, we still managed to do plenty of sketching, thanks to the wonderful Bush House waterhole, which had regular visits from elephants, buffalo, all sorts of buck and even lionesses and cubs the night we arrived!

I'll be putting together a short video soon and in 2012 we plan to run more Art Safaris so watch out for further details!

Until next time...
Alison

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Drawing Upon Community* - the African People & Wildlife Fund, Tanzania

2011-08-26T02:00:00.034-04:00

Children at Noloholo Summer Camp, pencil & watercolor field sketch

My visit in July was the first of 2 visits I will make to APW, and it was scheduled to coincide with the 2nd Noloholo Children's Summer Camp of 2011. 24 children from the 2 local primary schools stayed, free of charge, at Noloholo for a week to learn about a wide range of topics associated with the conservation of their local environment. They engaged in all kinds of activities - classroom sessions, field trips, team-building exercises and educational games. And of course, being children, they had a wonderful time doing everything!

Predator-Prey Educational Game

During my visit I was involved in many different tasks. I taught several sketching classes, showing the children how to draw animals and trees using simple shapes. I also created a journal which included sketches of Noloholo, children at the Summer Camp, medicinal trees, local landscapes and Maasai with their cattle at the village waterpump. Over the coming months you will see all these sketches and I will highlight many of APW's projects including: the construction of Living Wall bomas (corrals) to protect livestock from predators; training village Game Scouts to conduct wildlife counts and protect the natural resources of the village; the expansion of the Noloholo Scholarship program which gives selected local students access to secondary education; and the creation of an integrated land use management plan for the Loibor Siret area.

Alison Nicholls teaching at a local Primary School, Tanzania

My time at APW was action-packed, highly productive and a wonderful artistic experience. As a result of my visits, I hope to better understand the complex conservation issues affecting this part of northern Tanzania. This knowledge will allow me to raise awareness of APW and, through exhibitions and lectures, raise funds to help them continue their excellent work. I hope that in the coming months you will join me in supporting this worthwhile project!

Until next time...
Alison
*Drawing Upon Community is my 2nd Conservation Education program, in which I visit African conservation projects to learn about the conservation issues they face. I use my field sketches, journal and photographs to raise awareness of the project and funds for their work.

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Drawing Upon Community - My Conservation Expedition to the African People & Wildlife Fund.

2011-08-23T02:00:00.022-04:00

Dr Laly Lichtenfeld (APW), Alison Nicholls & Charles Trout (APW).

I will show you more of my Serengeti sketches soon, but first I want to tell you about my 2nd Conservation Expedition, titled Drawing Upon Community. I embarked on my visit in July and spent 2 weeks at the African People & Wildlife Fund (APW) in northern Tanzania. APW was co-founded by Dr Laly Lichtenfeld and Charles Trout to conserve Africa's wildlife, protect natural habitats and promote village development by emphasizing coexistence with the natural world.


Noloholo Environmental Center, pencil & watercolor sketch

The Noloholo Environmental Center (see sketch above) is APW's headquarters. Not only is Noloholo a wonderful educational facility but it is built on land donated to APW by the Maasai village of Loibor Siret, evidence of APW's excellent relationship with their local community. The building on the left contains an office, and a large classroom. The second building is a lovely multi-purpose, circular structure which looks out onto a large stone patio acting as a water catchment area. Both buildings have window spaces which don't contain glass but are instead covered with heavy duty material. This allows the breeze and light to be kept in or out, as desired. Noloholo is a beautiful setting and during my visit was the venue for the 2nd APW Children's Summer Camp of 2011.

More about that, and much more about the inspiring APW project, in my next post...

Alison

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Sleeping Lion - Pencil & Watercolor Sketch, Serengeti National Park

2011-08-19T02:00:00.000-04:00

Sleeping Lion, pencil and watercolor, by Alison Nicholls

I promised a Serengeti sketch and here is the 1st one. There will be plenty more coming soon as I have 3 full sketchbooks from this latest trip! This lion slept soundly for a while but when he awoke he didn't seem particularly thrilled to see us (but no-one really likes to wake up to find someone has been drawing them). But luckily for me, by then I'd managed to get the pencil sketch finished. I added the watercolor later while having lunch at the lodge and dipping my tsetse-fly bitten ankles into the very cold swimming pool to try and stop the itching. The swimming pool treatment worked long enough for me to finish the watercolor. In case you're wondering, I didn't refer to photos when adding the watercolor, partly because I know lions well enough and partly because my aim in adding watercolor is to create a sketch that works on its own merits without reference to photos. But in case you'd like to see a photo too, here's 1 my husband took with his new super lens (this has not been cropped!).

Serengeti Lion, photo by Nigel Nicholls

Until next time...
Alison

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Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

2011-08-17T16:55:00.000-04:00

View across the Ruaha River.

Ruaha National Park is 1 of the 2 Tanzanian parks I most wanted to visit (the other being Selous, which I will have to visit another time). And I was not to be disappointed. After a long drive from Dar es Salaam through lovely hills, forests of baobabs (as close to a forest of baobabs as you'll ever get!), hot dusty roadworks and a barrage of fuel trucks and trucks carrying shipping containers, we finally reached Ruaha late afternoon. The entrance gate there has some of the best toilet facilities I've seen in any national park in Africa!

Soon we were rumbling over the bridge that crosses the beautiful Ruaha River and soon after that we arrived at the Ruaha River Lodge. A well-named lodge (it does indeed sit right on the edge of the river), it was a stunning location, although the service was not always what you might call top-notch, but still well worth staying here just for the views.

Ruaha River

At the top of this post you can see a pencil and watercolor sketch I did from the veradah of our lovely chalet. I agree it is not the most arresting of compositions because I was sitting looking straight across the river rather than enjoying a slightly more interesting angled view up or down-stream. But sometimes, when you have a wonderful verandah to sit on, you want to take advantage of the chair and table rather than balancing everything on boulders. So I apologise for my laziness and hope you enjoy it anyway!

The lovely verandah!

Until next time...and Serengeti sketches...
Alison

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Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

2011-08-12T11:32:00.000-04:00

Indian Ocean, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Our Tanzanian adventure began by flying into Dar es Salaam to stay with some very good friends who we knew from the 'good ole days' in Botswana. In fact, these friends are my last memory of living in Botswana, because as Nigel and I flew out of Gaborone (and on to New York), they were visible on the airport perimeter road, leaping up and down waving from the top of their trusty landcruiser. Well they were almost visible - through my streaming tears! We haven't seen them since that day back in 2002 and now they live in hot humid Dar es Salaam. But seeing them again brought back all the good old memories, as it always does with good friends.

And so, after a day with them in which we tried to change money and avoid mosquitoes, we enjoyed a walk on the beach outside their house, listening to the Indian Ocean. Nigel had of course immediately become their childrens' and dogs' favorite plaything and spent his time on the beach chasing dogs and carrying children!

But we had serious business ahead too. The following morning, after a couple of false starts, we all set off (in another trusty landcruiser) for Ruaha National Park...

Until next time
Alison

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Whats Coming Next? Awaiting News from Africa.

2011-08-09T09:39:00.000-04:00

A young Yellow Baboon looks expectantly up a tree in.Ruaha
National Park, Tanzania. Photo by Nigel Nicholls.

When I started writing my blog, I thought that posting twice a week seemed realistic and achievable. So why is it that no sooner have I finished writing 1 post than its time for the next? Hmmmm...

Anyway, as a result of having been back from my lengthy Africa trip for less than a week, I have not yet managed to photograph my latest field sketches, sort through the numerous photos taken by my husband Nigel or edit the hours of video footage I recorded. I will attempt to start on it all this week. Once I get underway, I will have limitless amounts of material for future blog posts. Then the difficult decision will be what to exclude. But until I reach that happy day...I hope you can wait patiently and expectantly. I will try not to disappoint you!

Until next time...
Alison

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Back from Africa!

2011-08-05T16:35:00.000-04:00

Zebra Foal photo by Nigel Nicholls

Yes, I'm back from my latest African adventure at last!

And what an adventure it was. It started in Tanzania with a visit to Ruaha National Park, then a week in the Serengeti chasing the wildebeest migration. This was followed by 2 weeks at the African People & Wildlife Fund project near Tarangire National Park. After a quick flight down to Johannesburg I lead 2 Art Safaris for Africa Geographic Magazine - 1 in Timbavati and 1 in Madikwe Game Reserve.

So today's blog post is a little late. My excuse is that I've been unpacking and wading through a horrific number of emails. However, I think I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Or, as those cynics amongst us like to say - perhaps its just a fast approaching train!

If you can bear with me a little longer, I'll photograph my latest field sketches so I can showing you some in future blog posts.

Until next time...
Alison

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Flowering in the Desert - Acacias and Dunes in the Namib

2011-08-02T02:00:00.024-04:00

Acacia flowering in the Namib Desert photo by Nigel Nicholls

Acacias are beautiful on many counts. Their knarled trunks have always intrigued me, although now I think of it, they haven't featured in many of my paintings. I'll have to rectify that I think. When they flower they are stunning, like so many desert species. Their small yellow puffball flowers color the landscape and soften the scene. But don't try running your hands through the flowers - if you do you'll soon become aquainted with the acacia's better known feature - long, sharp thorns!

Until next time...
Alison

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Cheetah Drawing - by Alison Nicholls

2011-07-29T02:00:00.000-04:00

Cheetah drawing by Alison Nicholls

I find animals with spots, stripes and blotches great to draw and paint. Cheetah, unlike many of the other cats, are likely to be alert during the day, as they often hunt at this time. Combine this with the hot sun, deep shadows and a thorny acacia and I can always come up with a new idea!

Until next time...
Alison

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Artists Sharing a View - Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

2011-07-22T02:00:00.009-04:00

Sharing the View, Hwange NP, Zimbabwe photo by Nigel Nicholls

Artists often attract attention of 1 kind or another. I'm sure this artist, who I came across in Hwange in 2007 during my visit to the Painted Dog Conservation project, must have thought that she was unlikely to be disturbed out here, well off the usual tourist route. But somehow, artists seem to find each other. If you remember me...it was good to meet you!

This photo struck a chord because pretty soon I'll be starting the Africa Geographic Art Safari in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa. So expect plenty more photos of artists doing their thing!

Until next time...
Alison

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Evening Thoughts original painting by Alison Nicholls

2011-07-19T02:00:00.001-04:00

Evening Thoughts 8 x 10" by Alison Nicholls

In my last post you can see the pencil drawing I used to start this painting. You will also see that I changed the composition from portrait to landscape once I started painting. This is often a simple reaction to the way the washes of color sit on the paper and how I feel the painting is progressing.

I wanted to capture the strong warm light of evening streaming under the zebra's neck and contrast this with the use of a dusky purple which allows the zebra's bold shoulder stripes to be lost in the shadows. The bold colors also contrast nicely with the calm demeanor of the young zebra.

Until next time...
Alison

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Zebra Studio Drawing

2011-07-15T02:00:00.003-04:00

Zebra Studio Drawing, pencil

Zebra are a favorite animal of mine to sketch, draw and paint. Their bold stripes just appeal to my sense of design and composition. Here I've drawn a zebra, cropped close to emphasize the shape of the head and neck. I will paint it in bold yellow and purple, probably with a smoky purple haze around the bottom half of the paper- we'll see!

I'll show you the finished piece next time.
Until then...
Alison

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Watching Coyotes in Yellowstone

2011-07-12T02:00:00.000-04:00

Coyote Hunting in Yellowstone photo by Nigel Nicholls

Watching coyotes hunting was one of the highlights of our trip to Yellowstone. They were constantly on the move - listening for rodents, chasing bugs and occasionally doing a spectacular leap into the grass, nose first. Sometimes they came up with a tasty rodent which they ate, head-first, in a few bites. Sometimes they came up with nothing. But whatever the outcome they were always good to watch.

We saw plenty of them in every part of the park but had to constantly stop ourselves from calling them jackals - I guess thats just a symptom of being obsessed with Africa!

Until next time...
Alison

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Strides original watermedia by Alison Nicholls

2011-07-08T02:00:00.000-04:00

Strides original watermedia by Alison Nicholls 12 x 16"

Giraffes are many people's favorite African animal. However, as an artistic subject, although they have great elegance, they don't have as large a repertoire of poses as many other animals. They stand, walk and run gracefully, but they drink awkwardly, lie down infrequently, and rarely interact with each other physically except when males fight their remarkably violent battles for females. As I prefer to paint animals in calm, relaxed modes, the fighting is usually out, the drinking looks clumsy and lying down is not often seen.

You also almost never see a giraffe eye to eye (for obvious reasons) but this gives them a detached demeanour. As a result, the giraffes in my paintings always seem to be slightly distant - although this could equally have something to do with the constraints of trying to fit such a tall mammal on my paper!

Until next time...
Alison

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Possession is 9/10 of the Law - Buffalo v Elephant

2011-07-05T02:00:00.008-04:00

Possession is 9/10 of the Law photo by Nigel Nicholls

These 2 bull buffalo had settled in quite nicely at the waterhole and they were in no way intimidated by the 2 bull elephants who soon arrived. As usual, the elephants tried their best to ensure that the entire waterhole was emptied of all other drinkers and bathers, but they had truly met the immovable objects in the buffalo and eventually it was the elephants who moved further down the bank. After a drink, they began swimming, splashing and playing. The buffalo's quiet soak was disturbed and soon enough they ambled away, leaving the elephants to their loud pursuits.

Elephants win again!

Until next time...
Alison

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Ground Hornbills - Studio Drawing by Alison Nicholls

2011-07-01T02:00:00.002-04:00

Ground Hornbill drawing by Alison Nicholls

Ground Hornbills are one of my favorate sights and sounds of the African bush. Their deep booming calls have dragged me from my tent in the morning more times than I care to remember and, like most members of the hornbill family, there is something almost prehistoric about their looks. Hopefully I'll see some in South Africa on my next visit. Until then, this studio drawing will have to suffice!

Until next time...
Alison

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Herd American Bison by Alison Nicholls

2011-06-28T02:00:00.006-04:00

Herd American Bison by Alison Nicholls 8x10"

In this painting, I let the wash guide me. I found some lovely effects after I dripped Light Blue through a wash of Paynes Grey. The pale blue created a series of mystical spaces, in which I decided to paint a herd of bison, obscured by mist and fog. I had to be careful with this as I was only painting parts of each bison, and they could look disjointed, but the end result captured what I had in mind.

This is a color combination I haven't used before, but I'll definitely be using it again in the future!

Until next time...
Alison

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Saddle-Billed Storks

2011-06-24T12:46:00.012-04:00

Saddle-Billed Stork photo by Nigel Nicholls

Saddle-Billed Storks are perhaps Africa's most easily identifiable stork. They are a blaze of contrasting colors, with their red, black and yellow bills, greenish-black and white bodies and red knees. We got incredibly close to this male (who has brown eyes and a yellow wattle) on a mokoro in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. We had beautiful reflections and ripples as he carefully lifted each leg by turn. It was all so still as we floated just inches above the water's surface - beautiful!

Until next time...
Alison

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Impala Sundown original watermedia by Alison Nicholls

2011-06-21T02:00:00.005-04:00

Impala Sundown original watermedia 8 x 10"

In Africa you come across amazing light effects - often as a result of the massive amounts of dust in the air at certain times of year. I love the way this creates hot silhouettes out of animals and washes them with brilliant reds and oranges. Colors you'd swear were my own invention are often found in this hot dry season. But as an artist, trusting your eyes and actually painting the colors as bright and strong as they really were can be daunting.

I left this painting for a couple of days, the way I usually do before I decide a piece is actually finished, and it kept catching my eye because of its rich colors. I'd think to myself - oh no, I've overdone it this time. Then I'd walk up to take a look and find I was still very happy with the color strength - thankfully!

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Out Of Africa Exhibit moves to Mt Vernon Library, New York

2011-06-17T15:13:00.004-04:00

Arts Westchester, the Blue Door Artist Association and the Mount Vernon Public Library now present the 2nd showing of the Out of Africa exhibit, featuring artwork of all media inspired by the many cultures, landscapes and materials of the African continent. My work is included in this diverse exhibit and I'm delighted to be able to take part in this ongoing show (which was originally exhibited at the Blue Door Gallery in Yonkers, New York).

The show runs from June 3rd to July 30th at the Mount Vernon Public Library, 28 South 1st Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York 10550. Please stop by to see it if you are in the area and let me know what you think.

Until next time...
Alison

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Watercolor Life Sketch - Shikishi Paper

2011-06-14T12:45:00.008-04:00

Watercolor and pencil sketch on Shikishi Paper

On my next African safari I'll be taking a new kind of paper with me. It is called Shikishi, has 4 lovely deckled edges and is approximately 5 x 5". When looking it up online, I discovered that the Japanese used Shikishi as a paper on which to write poems. Many of the poems were then used as the inspiration for paintings.

I'm going to use them for simple watercolor and pencil sketches of wildlife or people. I'm not sure if I'll use them in my next exhibit, or even how I would frame them yet - alone or as sets maybe. The surface soon scuffs up if you use too many brushstrokes - as I discovered when I tried out the paper for this life sketch. And it sucks up color too. So it looks like I'll have to use quick, simple strokes of fairly strong color - should be fun. And hopefully better than my poetry!

Until next time...
Alison

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How Painting Snares got me Tangled in Conservation Issues - an Artists For Conservation Blog Post.

2011-06-10T02:00:00.013-04:00

Audubon Greenwich lecture - demonstrating the use of a snare.

Artists For Conservation (AFC) has asked me to write a 2nd blog post for their website as a guest blogger. This piece is about my Ensnared painting (see below), the complex issues I was aiming to highlight and some complex issues which I hadn't even considered when I started working on it. Here is the post...

Since returning from my stay at the Painted Dog Conservation project (PDC) in Zimbabwe during AFC’s 5th Flag Expedition, I had wanted to create a conservation-themed painting. The population of Painted Dogs (African wild dogs) near Hwange National Park in northwestern Zimbabwe has been decimated by snares, illegally set to catch antelope and other game for food. I spent time with PDC’s Anti-Poaching Unit, who patrol 7 days a week in areas bordering the park, and one morning we searched for snares in an area where 2 poachers had been caught the day before. Soon we were finding the expected snares – 30 in total, abandoned, yet still deadly. And so, my idea for a painting began.

Ensnared was a complex painting on many levels. I wanted to include a snare and a variety of wildlife species, to show the simplicity of the device and its indiscriminate nature. But I also wanted to quite literally, show the human face of poaching. As I sketched my ideas, the circular form of the snare became the prime focus. The snare surrounded a circle of animal heads and, in the forefront, the profile of a young Zimbabwean man. In watercolor I knew all of this would be a challenge. My medium and style don’t allow for many changes or corrections and I knew a mistake on any single head might ruin the entire painting.

Ensnared - original watercolor 20x30"

Read the rest of the post on the AFC website...

And let me know what you think!
Until next time...
Alison

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Visit to the Wolf Pups.

2011-06-07T02:00:00.013-04:00

Zephyr at 6 weeks. Photo by Nigel Nicholls

Over the weekend Nigel and I visited the Wolf Conservation Center. Officially we were there to deliver some snare wire masks (made in Zimbabwe and sold to benefit the Painted Dog Conservation project) but we knew the 2 pups were around and were hoping to have a quick peek at them! They kept us waiting while they slept the day away, but eventually Zephyr and Alawa tottered out into the sunshine. They look remarkably different - Zephyr has longer legs and a huge head which he needs to grow into whereas Alawa looks much more compact. They both spent time playing, chewing and generally being pups.

But I bet that by the time I see them again, they'll look more like wolves than pups!

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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The Greeting - African Lions

2011-06-03T15:06:00.008-04:00

The Greeting 16 x 18"

In my previous post you can see the various test compositions I created for this piece. By the time I got to painting this final version I was even dreaming about lions...

If you own a cat you will probably recognise the head-rubbing greeting as performed by this lion and lioness in this painting. Every time I see a domestic cat doing this, I'm reminded of lions. Its very similar - just on a much much larger scale!

I completed most of the detail of this painting in the magenta pink and burnt sienna still visible on the lions. But I felt that the painting lacked punch - and punch was definitely required for these 2 over-sized felids. So I held my breath and washed paynes grey over much of the painting. The pinks and browns underneath brought out the blues in the grey - and suddenly it had the 'punch' I was looking for!

Until next time...
Alison

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The Creation of a Composition - African Lions

2011-05-31T02:00:00.012-04:00

Stage 1 - the Rear View

Some paintings go through more composition iterations than others! The Greeting was one which underwent many transformations before I was satisfied. Stage 1 seemed to work but I decided to crop the composition to make it more interesting.

Stage 2 - Cropped Closer.

I even painted this version but when I finished I felt there was no real center of interest (pity I couldn't have figured that out before painting, but that's how it happens sometimes). I decided to include the faces in profile. And so stage 3 was born.

Stage 3. The final version (almost).

Stage 3 was my final drawing before painting, although I have to confess that I even cropped this version and omitted the lioness' tail. The pose is basically the same as the first composition, but viewed from a completely different angle. And we all know how a different perspective changes everything!

The finished painting will be in my next post.

Until next time...
Alison

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Kingfishers Galore

2011-05-27T02:00:00.007-04:00

Female Brown-Hooded Kingfisher, photo by Nigel Nicholls

One of the things I had to get accustomed to when I moved to southern Africa, was the huge variety of birds. In the UK we had 1 kind of kingfisher and it lived by the water and ate fish. In southern Africa there are 10 species of kingfisher and several of them are woodland kingfishers. Then there is the aptly named Giant Kingfisher. The first time I saw 1 of these birds I knew from its shape that it had to be a kingfisher but I couldn't believe how big it was.

This beautiful little Brown-Hooded Kingfisher kingfisher sat and posed for us for a few minutes in South Africa. It was a cool morning and it was puffed up against the cold.

And so were we - so I didn't sketch this one!

Until next time...
Alison

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Creativity - RadioLab on Being Your Own Worst Enemy

2011-05-24T02:00:00.006-04:00

Perspiration hopefully leading to Inspiration!

I often listen to WNYC while I'm working (and yes, I'm a sustaining member - for all of you out there who listen and don't pledge!). One of my favorite shows is RadioLab with Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich. For those who haven't heard this unique show I will try to describe it. They cover unusual topics. They have expert guests but their method of piecing together the show means that these are so unlike your standard interview that ...OK I give up. I cannot describe it. It is indescribable, in a very good way. You only need to listen to about 30 seconds to see what I mean. And probably get hooked.

So in early April I was listening to a RadioLab show called Help which basically looked at what happens when your own worst enemy is yourself and how you get over this. A topic any artist will appreciate! There were several guests with ever-more bizarre stories of how they motivated themselves to get something done. Some made me laugh. Others just made me gasp. One of their guests was Liz Gilbert who wrote Eat, Pray, Love, which I confess, I haven't read or seen. Her view was that you will be rewarded for your perspiration by a flash of inspiration. Not that you work hard and come up with something great but that you are rewarded by the universe for the hours of slaving over your fairly inadequate work. She was quite amusing - particularly when she spoke about her book and its lack of a title (listen around the 28 minutes mark on the podcast to hear her).

And although I enjoyed her views, I'm not sure I can bring myself to wholy agree with them. This could just be my ego speaking, but I'd like to think that my hours of perspiration meant that maybe it was me who came up with a great painting. Not that the universe gave it to me because it saw me laboring over something futile!

Whether you agree or not, let me know, and listen to RadioLab!

Until next time...
Alison

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Endangered Species Day 2011 - Seeing the Whole Iceberg.

2011-05-20T02:00:00.064-04:00

Cheetahs, Nxai Pan, Botswana

When we hear the words Endangered Species we tend to think of the charismatic megafauna - species like tigers, gorillas, whales and cheetahs. The term 'endangered' means imperiled, at risk, or threatened. But increasingly it becomes over-used, as numerous species around the world experience precipitous declines in numbers, away from the glare of media attention. Habitat loss, poaching, high pollutant levels, invasive species, intensive farming, logging, climate change and numerous other issues (usually man-made) threaten countless species around the globe.

Some examples:

9% of European butterflies are threatened with extinction, while 1/3 of some 482 European butterfly species have experienced a decline in their population, mostly due to intensive farming techniques and habitat loss.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/butterfly-bison.html#cr

In the US, since 1967 the average population for common birds in steepest decline has fallen 68%, from 17.6 million to 5.35 million. Some species have nose-dived as much as 80% and all 20 birds included in the Common Birds in Decline report have lost at least 50% of their population. http://birds.audubon.org/state-birds

The declines of many well-known predator species are better known but equally shocking. The African Lion existed all over Africa in the 1940s when numbers were believed to be around 450 000. Today there may be as few as 20 000 remaining. National Geographic's Lion Decline Map.

Painted Dogs (African wild dogs) were believed to have numbered around 500 000 in 39 countries in 1900 and today they number less than 5000 today - a drop of 99% - and have been eliminated from at least 25 of the 39 countries forming their traditional range.

Although we may hear about the plight of the tiger and other charismatic megafauna, their predicaments are just the visible tip of the proverbial iceberg. So, as we mark another Endangered Species Day, delve a little deeper into the murky waters and look at the rest of the iceberg, consider the catastrophic loss of biodiversity we are experiencing right now and what that may mean for our future too. And, most importantly, figure out how you can be part of the solution, not the problem.

Until next time...
Alison

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Sketch Wolves With Me - at the Wolf Conservation Center

2011-05-17T10:55:00.000-04:00

Atka Wolf Conservation Center

Join me at the Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) in South Salem to sketch Atka, this beautiful white wolf!

I will show you how I sketch wildlife, and help you as you sketch Atka for yourself. In addition to sketching, we will learn more about wolves from WCC staff, and guests will have a chance to see WCC’s critically endangered red wolves and Mexican gray wolves. I will also tell you about some of the African conservation projects I support through my Conservation Expeditions program.

This special program is suitable for adults and mature teens. WCC will donate half of program proceeds to the Painted Dog Conservation Project in Zimbabwe. Pre-registration is required.

Details are as follows:
June 4th, 9am- 12 noon
Program will be cancelled in case of rain.
Cost $60 per person. Suitable for adults and mature teens.
Pre-registration is required.
Please bring your own sketching materials. Suggested materials are:

pencils (sketching pencils or colored pencils or watercolor pencils)
eraser & pencil shapener
sketchpad with 2 hard covers
I'd also suggest a waterbottle, hat, suncream and sunglasses.

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. I hope to see you there!
Until next time...
Alison

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Society of Animal Artists Annual Show

2011-05-13T14:21:00.000-04:00

Chillin' Cape Fur Seal 20 x 16"

Chillin’, my painting of a Cape Fur Seal has been selected to be part of the Society of Animal Artists 51st Annual Show at The Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City, Michigan.

Even though I’m delighted, I’m sure that the fur seal couldn’t care less (as we say in the UK) or could care less (as we say in the US)! These seals seem pretty oblivious to most things. But I suppose you get to be fairly thick-skinned when you live on a desolate piece of Atlantic coastline and you sleep (apparently quite comfortably) on top of sharp rocks, surrounded by hundreds of noisy, smelly neighbors.

Visiting cape fur seal colonies in Namibia can be an assault on the senses but I always enjoy seeing them surviving in such a harsh environment. It seems to me that if the seals in their chaotic colonies weren’t so incredibly noisy, they might just be intimidated by the vastness of the cold powerful Atlantic ocean on 1 side and the hot, barren Namib Desert on the other. Or maybe that’s just me – to the seals this is the perfect home!

Until next time...
Alison

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An Artist's Life - Working Alone?

2011-05-10T02:00:00.004-04:00

Pen sketch.

Life as a professional artist means many things to many people, but a theme common to most artists is time spent working alone. This can difficult, satisfying, frustrating and wonderful all at the same time - in fact I often experience all of these in the course of just 1 day!

I started my working life in an office environment and I loved it. I am very social and I enjoy interacting with people. Looking back on that time, I realise that an office environment makes many things simpler - I knew what time I was expected to arrive and leave, what I had to do and when. Usually I knew because my boss told me. And if I was having a tough day I'd get up and go for a coffee and have a chat with a few colleagues at the coffee machine.

And now? I am my own boss. No-one tells me what to do or when to do it or how to do it or even why to do it. Which can be slightly alarming at first. Now I have to motivate myself, decide on my own goals, do the work and then decide if I reached my goals. It can be a challenge, especially on days when things don't seem to be going well. On those days I get up and go out for a walk. I know many of my neighbors quite well because I've lived here for several years now. In effect, talking to my neighbors is my substitute for the work colleagues and the coffee machine. A much healthier substitute. And some of them read this blog - I'll find out who next time I'm walking round the neighborhood!

Until next time...
Alison

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Waterbuck Field Sketch

2011-05-06T09:13:00.000-04:00

Waterbuck field sketch, South Africa

As their name suggests, waterbuck like to live near water and as a result they have a thick coat, making them look more like a northern hemisphere deer than an African antelope. The females have no horns but both sexes have the same obvious white circular target mark on their rumps. This particular young female was a very cooperative sketching subject, lying for a few minutes in this appealing pose. The rest of the herd were behind her and you can see from the position of her large ears that she was listening to them as they moved around in the knee-deep water behind her.

As with many of my sketches, I started this in pencil. Often I have to add watercolor at a later stage because my sketching subject has walked away, but on this occasion the waterbuck lay there long enough for me to finish - a very cooperative sketching subject indeed!

Until next time...
Alison

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Yellowstone Landscape Sketches

2011-05-03T19:33:00.000-04:00

Field sketches, Yellowstone National Park

If you are an artist, you will know how easily time flies when you are sketching. My husband is also well aware of this. On many occasions I have persuaded him to sit while I do a quick 10 minute sketch. Apparently they usually take longer!

In Yellowstone I was well aware of the fact that there were so many scenes I wanted to sketch and not enough time in the day to get to them all. So I settled on this idea - 8 quick landscapes on 1 page. As it was progressing I realised I liked the composition, so I'll certainly be using this idea again. In case you're wondering, the sketches were done over a period of 3 days. And they took 10 minutes each - honestly!

Until next time...
Alison

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Lone Wolf

2011-04-29T02:00:00.015-04:00

Lone Wolf 20 x 16"

Here is my 1st wolf painting! I started this piece, as I always do, with the background washes. The difference was that, as I painted the 3 washes of color, I hadn't decided on the wolf's pose or even where to position her. Sometimes I enjoy painting this way, 'seeing' a painting in the drying washes, rather than painting the washes to fit a preconceived composition. In this case I found a small mound in the foreground and decided my wolf would stand there, looking into the distance.

Even though this painting consists of purples and pinks - many of the same colors I use in my African works - it has a decidedly cool feel to it. I hope that the colors convey a cold day with the wind buffetting the wolf's thick coat.

Let me know what you think.

Until next time...
Alison

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Why I Live Near New York City

2011-04-26T02:00:00.071-04:00

Empire State Building, New York City

I am often asked why, as a wildlife artist, I would want to live where I do - about 25 miles north of New York City. I agree that it may seem a strange choice at first. But there are many reasons why I enjoy this area. One of them is that you can find anything and everything in New York City. And just to demonstrate, here are some of the lectures and events relating to African wildlife and conservation that took place in and around the city between January and March of this year:

The 92nd Street Y held a lecture about lion conservation by Luke Hunter of Panthera (plus 2 others about tigers and jaguars by conservationists in the field).

The Explorers Club featured a lecture by John Frederick Walker about the conservation of the giant sable antelope in Angola.

Fellow Artists For Conservation and Explorers Club member, Stephen Quinn gave a lecture at the American Museum of Natural History about his AFC Flag Expedition retracing the steps of Carl Akeley and the painting of the scene from the gorilla diorama in the Great Hall of African Mammals.

I attended a showing of "The Last Lions" followed by a Q & A session with the filmakers, Dereck and Beverly Joubert.

Dr Greg Rasmussen from the Painted Dog Conservation project gave a lecture at Audubon Greenwich about the conservation of African Wild Dogs in Zimbabwe.

These are just the events I remember - you can be sure there were plenty of others that I missed. And these just relate to Africa and its wildlife. I haven't even touched on the wide range of exhibitions and art-related events I also try to fit into my schedule.

I've recently started painting American wildlife too, so now I have a whole new set of events to watch out for. Life was much simpler when I only painted African wildlife!

Until next time...
Alison

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Cornwall Sketches

2011-04-22T02:00:00.012-04:00

St Ives Harbour pen sketch

I recently spent a few days in Cornwall, down in the southwest of England. It is a beautiful part of the country, with a rugged coastline, sandy beaches, picturesque cottages and plenty of pubs. I sat on the harbour wall, eating my lunch, while making sure that the notoriously bold seagulls didn't get a share! Then I spent a few minutes sketching, looking across the waters of the harbour towards the cluster of buildings and the sandy beach at the base of the harbour wall. A few small boats bobbed on the water and clouds scudded across the sky.

St Michael's Mount pen sketch

This 2nd sketch is St Michael's Mount. This was a grey day and a couple of kitesurfers (not shown in the sketch) were flying across the water. It was starting to rain so I did this sketch from the car. Pretty typical Cornish weather you might think. Well not on this trip - we actually had plenty of sunshine too - highlighting all the colourful spring blossoms. And back home in New York most of the daffodils weren't even out yet.

Until next time...
Alison

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Art on Safari with Africa Geographic Magazine

2011-04-19T02:00:00.020-04:00

I'm pleased to report that Art on Safari with Africa Geographic is now full!

This is a 4-night safari at The Bush House in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa. The safari is aimed at artists (and potential artists) of any level of ability. Through my wildlife sketching experience I will explain how to sketch animals quickly and accurately, while creating a wonderful sketchbook - a memory of our time in the bush.

4 nights of game-viewing in Madikwe's beautiful surroundings, sketching wildlife and enjoying the company of fellow artists and travelers. What could be better?!

But don't worry - if you missed this year's safari, there will be more next year. Keep an eye on my website or drop me an email if you would like to know more.

Until next time...
Alison

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Ivory original acrylic

2011-04-15T16:30:00.012-04:00

Ivory acrylic on watercolor board
26 x 18" US $2390 unframed

I know you had a bit of a wait for this but here, finally, is my finished elephant trunk painting!

In a previous post about this piece, I showed my initial thumbnail sketch and explained that I wanted to show the bulk of an elephant and capture the feeling you get when an elephant walks this close to you - the way you almost hold your breath until it passes, because at that moment, even if you are in a vehicle, you realise the immense power of the animal.

Thumbnail sketch 2.5 x 2"

I used acrylic inks on Crescent Watercolor Board - its so nice to paint on a heavier surface and not to have to stretch paper overnight! I hear there is an Arches Watercolor Board now too. I'll have to try that because I've been painting on Arches paper for years now. For those who may not know - watercolor boards are surfaces where a piece of watercolor paper has been attached to a heavier archival board. I staple the watercolor board to a drawing board because I have always used excessive amounts of water and can even get a watercolor board to buckle if it isn't stapled down. But using boards means I no longer need to soak my paper in a tub, tape it down and let it dry overnight. Now that is good news!

Until next time...
Alison

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Explorers Club Annual Dinner Weekend

2011-04-12T15:33:00.047-04:00

Alison Nicholls in Zimbabwe, photo by Margie McClelland

The Explorers Club Annual Dinner is held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan - not a place I tend to frequent on a regular basis. But that is where you would have found me a couple of weekends ago, dressed in my best party frock, trying to walk in shoes with heels (strangely enough I don't seem to have any photos of the event because my camera was too large to fit in my clutch bag and I don't own an iPhone - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!).

Anyway, it was a wonderful evening and I even managed to watch the presentations seated at a table directly underneath the Union Jack flag - very appropriate.

The following day was an Open House at the club and the Annual Meeting was followed by a lecture series open to the public. In the afternoon I was honored to be asked to take part in a round table discussion, along with 3 other artists: Stephen Quinn, Alan Campbell and Mara Haseltine. The program was titled "The Art of Expedition and Exploration" and began with Alan Campbell giving a short presentation about the history of art in expeditions. Each artist then gave a 5 minute presentation of their work, followed by questions from the audience. It was quite intriguing for me, as an artist, to sit and watch 3 presentations before mine, as you could really see the diversity in our art, interests and working methods. I think we can all see ways of continuing this interesting dicsussion in the future.

All in all, a very exciting, action packed weekend!

Until next time...
Alison

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Painted Dog Lecture by Dr Rasmussen

2011-04-08T14:40:00.011-04:00

Dr Rasmussen, Audubon Greenwich, Connecticut

A couple of weekends ago I was fortunate to spend a few days with Dr Gregory Rasmussen, founder and director of the Painted Dog Conservation project (PDC). In 2007 I visited PDC for my Artists For Conservation Flag Expedition and learnt how they are conserving endangered African Wild Dogs (known as Painted Dogs in Zimbabwe). Since then I have supported PDC with my artwork and have met Greg Rasmussen several times in the UK, New York & San Francisco. So I was delighted when he paid us a visit in New York. I had arranged a frantic schedule of events but I still managed to quiz him with several of my own personal Painted Dog questions! But more of that in future posts...

Dr Rasmussen's visit was centered around a lecture I had arranged for him in conjunction with Audubon Greenwich in Connecticut. Although it was a Monday night, we had an excellent turnout and a very interesting crowd who posed some great questions at the end. Dr Rasmussen talked about his own personal history with the dogs, the challenges facing their conservation, his recent declaration of their extinction in Cameroon, and research relating to the excessive elephant numbers in Hwange National Park and how this adversely affects the dogs.

Needless to say, it was a very interesting evening and I'm glad to say that the lecture raised US$1000 for PDC, as a result of Audubon Greenwich's generosity in donating the vast majority of the admission fees.

Alison Nicholls (wildlife artist), Dr Greg Rasmussen
(Painted Dog Conservation) and Jeff Cordulack
(Audubon Greenwich).

The really good news, however, is that Dr Rasmussen will be visiting the east coast more frequently in the future, so if you missed this lecture you can be sure there will be more in the not too distant future.

Please email me for details.

Until next time...
Alison

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Sketching in New York City

2011-04-05T02:00:00.000-04:00

Sketching in Grand Central Station

Why, you might ask, would an artist who paints wildlife, want to sketch people in a city? Apart from the obvious - variety being the spice of life - there is an element of method in my madness. This summer I will be visiting the African People & Wildlife Fund in Tanzania, and because they work closely with the local Maasai community, I hope to be sketching a lot more people than I usually do when on safari in Africa. So with the weather finally improving, it seemed the perfect time to get out of the studio and start sketching real live people going about their normal business.

Here are some of my sketches...

Hazel - my sketching partner!

Reading, texting and sleeping.

Waiting for a train.

As you can see, I was bravely using only a pen, so no need to carry an eraser. I find this can lead to the use of more paper, because uncooperative sketches are easier to abandon than fix. Which sounds horribly familiar... just like working in watercolor!

Until next time...
Alison

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Painted Dogs on TV in Connecticut

2011-04-01T11:17:00.000-04:00

Dr Greg Rasmussen, Pet Talk, News 12 CT

If you live in Connecticut, watch out for a segment on News 12's Pet Talk show, hosted by Lauren Collier, in which she interviews Dr Gregory Rasmussen, founder and director of the Painted Dog Conservation project in Zimbabwe, which conserves highly endangered African wild dogs. You can check the schedule here: http://videos.news12.com/ctweekendschedule.htm

Lauren spoke to Dr Rasmussen about the founding of the Painted Dog Conservation project and the great work they do in bringing local school children into the project to stay at their children's bushcamp to learn about the dogs and the ecology of the area. The segment will include photos and video footage of the dogs, including their wonderful greeting ceremony vocalizations.

Enjoy it! And if you don't live in Connecticut (like me) I'll hopefully have the clip on my YouTube site soon.

Until next time...
Alison

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President's Exhibit, Salmagundi Club

2011-03-29T07:44:00.000-04:00

Claudia Seymour (President, Salmagundi Club) and Alison Nicholls

Darkness, my watercolor of a black rhinoceros, is currently hanging in the President's Best of the Best Watermedia & Pastel Exhibit at the Salmagundi Club in New York City. The show was juried by Claudia Seymour, President of the Salmagundi Club, and contains a select number of watermedia and pastel works by club members. It will be on view in the Patron's Gallery until Friday April 22nd so if you are passing by the club (47 5th Avenue between 11th & 12th Streets) please come in and visit the show as well as the great exhibits on view in the other club galleries.

Until next time...
Alison

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Nicholls Wildlife Art

Sable Antelope Showdown

2011-03-25T02:00:00.008-04:00

Sable Antelope circle each other warily

Parts of Hwange National Park contain good populations of sable, one of Africa's most impressive antelope species. During my visit to the Painted Dog Conservation project I was sitting at Makwa waterhole with Ester van der Meer, a PhD student who was studying the painted dog's main prey species (kudu, impala and duiker). These 2 sable bulls appeared and circled each other warily, on an open patch of ground right next to the waterhole. It seemed inevitable that they would fight and I was expecting to get some great photos when, wouldn't you know it, along came a herd of elephants. Completely oblivious to my curses, they rushed through, forcing the sable to move away, behind some trees. I couldn't believe it!

Kneeling to fight

But the sable were not to be distracted and were soon kneeling in the dust swiping at each other with their impressive horns. They seemed pretty well matched but eventually the winner was decided and the loser (on the left) grabbed his chance and cantered away - right past 2 lionesses holed up under a shady bush. I'm not sure who was more surprised as he veered off on a different course.

The elephants of course were still completely oblivious, drinking their fill at the water.

Until next time...
Alison

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The Elephant Trunk

2011-03-22T14:33:00.000-04:00

thumbnail pencil sketch 2.5 x 2"

My next painting is also an African Elephant but this time a bull, and from a different angle. I wanted to show an elephant from a human eye-level (still quite a tall human though!). I was thinking about the size of the elephant and the way you almost hold your breath as an elephant walks this close to you.

This is my thumbnail sketch, only 2.5 x 2". It is the first sketch I do, and I use it to check my composition. Next comes a larger, more detailed drawing, and then I start painting. Although my thumbnail sketch shows the trunk extending from the top to the bottom of the paper, in my painting I don't intend to show it all. But it helps to draw it all so that you know everything looks OK before you start.

More elephant trunk soon...!

Until next time...
Alison

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Zeeebra Drawing

2011-03-18T02:00:00.007-04:00

Elementary School Art Class

Last week I gave an after-school wildlife art drawing class at a local elementary school. I normally start with slides of various African landscapes and animals, and was very impressed that 1 young student was able to correctly identify an African Wild Dog! Next I explained how I sketch in the bush, showing my nifty little Windsor & Newton watercolor kit which folds away into its own tiny box. And finally we did some drawing of a zebra. I showed the children how to use circles and other shapes to start their drawing and, as always, I was amazed at how good some of the drawings were.

Although there are always plenty of questions and ooohs and aaahs during the sessions (especially when they realise that the person in the photos with the elephants is really me), I'm sure that the thing they most remember is my English pronunciation of zebra. Every time I said zebra, they'd chorus back "zeeeebra"!

The finished zeeebra drawings!

I have discovered that teaching children can be inspiring, fun and fulfilling. It can also be completely exhausting (especially when you don't have children of your own) so after I've packed up my projector I head home and lie down in a dark room for 30 minutes!

Until next time...

Alison

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How Long Did It Take To Paint That?

2011-03-15T02:00:00.004-04:00

In Search of a Snack watercolor 12x16"

"How long did it take to paint that?"
A question dreaded by many artists. How you answer depends on your artwork, your working methods and your personality. If you are a natural comic, you might answer:
"Years and years of practice."
If you are not a natural comic, this answer might very well make you look like a snob or a fool. I'd suggest trying this line on your friends before you try it at your next exhibit!

So what are the other options - like telling the truth? Everyone knows that some paintings are just easier than others. Not because of the subject matter but just because everything works out right first time. If all goes well, I may finish a painting in a week. But what about the paintings that take 3 times that long because everything doesn't go right first time, or even second time? Perhaps its best to pick an average amount of time and go with that.

As I said, there's no right answer and there's no easy answer.
Often I go with this:
"How long did it take? You don't want to know!"
Then I might ask why the viewer likes the painting and deftly change the subject.
Speaking of changing the subject - ask me how long it took to write this blog post...!

Until next time...
Alison

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Two-some Original Elephant Acrylic

2011-03-11T11:00:00.002-05:00

Two-some 12 x 9" US$490

I often compose new paintings while out walking around the neighborhood. In this piece I wanted to show the scale of an African elephant as if you were standing in the path of the elephant cow and calf as they approached a waterhole (not something I recommend in real life!). By placing the elephant cow high in the piece and not showing all of her, she dominates the painting, giving a better sense of scale.

Even though painting is obviously visual, I usually write down my ideas and thoughts about each new painting. This happens when I get back to the studio and start doing small thumbnail pencil sketches to check the composition idea I came up with while walking. Writing helps me solidify my ideas and remind myself of similar scenes I have witnessed in the bush. Here is some of what I wrote about Two-some:

One giant foot is softly placed in front of another, every step raising a plate-sized puff of pale dust. Almost silent footfalls, each carrying immense weight of body and knowledge, ancient trails to water etched in the crevasses of each sole...

Of course once I start painting, the visual ideas take over from the written ideas. So although my writing was about the silent footsteps of a large elephant cow, in the painting I didn't paint her feet, choosing to cloak them instead with a dusty wash representing the plate-sized puffs of dustI wrote about above.

I'm interested to hear if other artists combine their visual ideas with written ideas. Let me know...

Until next time...
Alison

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Know Your Audience

2011-03-08T12:56:00.000-05:00

Showing my sketchbook, Zimbabwe

For a presenter of any kind, knowing your audience is vitally important. Good speakers always tailor their lectures to the audience - it makes for a more interesting and relevant event. But how does this apply to an artist sketching in the bush? I can think of 2 ways...

Firstly, over the years I have developed my style and honed my methods of working in my sketchbooks. On occasions I will create pages that I can remove and exhibit straight from my sketchbook, with no cropping or additional notes. So when I'm creating these pages, I'm already thinking of the potential audience for them - maybe at a future exhibition.

Secondly, whenever you sit down and sketch, wherever you are in the world, you will often find that an audience forms around you. In Africa this always happens if I am in an inhabited area. And I've noticed that these audiences generally prefer more realistic sketches. When I showed my sketchbook to children at the Painted Dog Conservation Children's Bushcamp in Zimbabwe, I was careful to find sketches where I used more realistic colors. Why? Because I know from past experience that sketches of purple elephants or blue zebra (two of my preferred colors!) either dissolve the children into laughter or lead to questions about where I have seen animals those colors!

So if you don't want your slim artist's ego shattered by peals of laughter - know your audience!

Until next time...
Alison

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Africa’s Painted Dogs – conserving African wild dogs in Zimbabwe

2011-03-04T08:52:00.000-05:00

Painted Dog (African Wild Dog) wearing tracking collar,
Zimbabwe

On the evening of March 28th, Dr Gregory Rasmussen, Director and Founder of the Painted Dog Conservation project in Zimbabwe, will lecture at Audubon Greenwich, Greenwich, CT, about the conservation of Africa's highly endangered African wild dogs (known as Painted Dogs in Zimbabwe).

African Wild Dogs, also known as Painted Dogs, are one of Africa’s rarest and most social carnivores. In the last century their numbers have declined 99% and there are now only 3000 - 5500 individuals remaining. They face persecution from many quarters, often being caught in snares, run over, shot or poisoned. Despite the difficulties studying this highly nomadic species, Dr Rasmussen spent years researching them in Zimbabwe, home of one of the last viable populations. In 1989, realizing that research alone would not save the dogs, he set up the Painted Dog Conservation project (PDC) near Hwange National Park.

During the lecture Dr Rasmussen will speak about his life with this intriguing species, their chances for survival and how PDC plays a vital role in the local community through conservation, education and employment opportunities.

Dr Greg Rasmussen
Painted Dog Conservation project, Zimbabwe

Dr Gregory Rasmussen grew up in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and obtained his doctorate at Oxford University in England. He is a member of the IUCN Canid Specialist Group, the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (also at Oxford University), and is supported by the Wildlife Conservation Network, based in San Francisco. He was featured in the TV series “I Shouldn’t Be Alive” when his light aircraft crashed in Hwange National Park and he spent a day and a half alone in the bush with both legs and pelvis broken before he was found. After numerous surgeries he is once again able to spend time in the bush working to conserve Africa's Painted Dogs.

As you may know, I spent 6 weeks at PDC in 2007 on my Artists For Conservation Flag Expedition. During the expedition I spent time tracking and sketching the dogs while also learning about PDC's community projects, children's bushcamp and anti-poaching units. PDC is a wonderful organization, doing great work and I support them by donating 25% from the sale of my painted dog artwork (PDC was also instrumental in highlighting the growing illegal trade which is affecting the dogs - read more here).

So please join us for the lecture. You may also get to see some of my recent Painted Dog artwork!
Here are the full details:

Reception 6 – 7.30pm. Lecture 7.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $10 per person.
Audubon Greenwich, 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich, CT 06831
RSVP appreciated. Call Jeff Cordulack at Audubon Greenwich on 203-869-5272 x239.

Until next time...
Alison

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Explorers Club Seminar

2011-03-01T02:00:00.011-05:00

Expedition Journals and Sketchbooks Members Seminar,
The Explorers Club

In February I was honored to give an Exploration Seminar to members of the Explorers Club in New York City. I have been a member of the Explorers Club for 2 years now and have attended several exploration seminars as well as numerous public lectures and other events. It is a wonderful organization, with a diverse membership of fascinating people with an astonishing range of knowledge and experience and I am very proud to be a member.

My seminar was titled Expedition Journals and Sketchbooks. Although I used my field sketching kit and sketchbooks to illustrate the seminar, my aim was to present information relevant to both artists and non-artists alike. I wanted to show the audience that the same organizational skills necessary to plan and execute a successful expedition, are also required for the creation of a successful field journal. After discussing the need to define the aims of the journal (they will probably differ from the aims of the expedition), I spoke about the need for thorough testing of materials and a clear understanding of potential field conditions.

I believe that many explorers (and artists) fail to see the potential of their journals and believe they are only helpful in recording expedition findings or providing a vivid personal reminder of the expedition. Although these are vital parts of any expedition, I wanted to make the point that a journal (with or without sketches) can also be used as a highly effective publicity tool in the post-expedition phase. Whether you show the journal in its original form, reproduce it for sale or display, or use excerpts from it in blog postings, you will find a well-planned journal indispensible in sharing your expedition with the world at large. And sharing is good? Right!

Until next time...
Alison

Nicholls Wildlife Art
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Downhill Elk Acrylic

2011-02-25T10:21:00.004-05:00

Downhill acrylic on watercolor board 16x12"

Here is my first acrylic Elk painting - maybe I need to change the title of my blog! On my sketching trip to Yellowstone in September I saw several groups of female elk in clearings on the edge of lodgepole pine forests. On a couple of occasions the mornings were very cold and sketching was a real problem but I tried to persevere!

In this piece I wanted to show the steepness of much of the terrain. I enjoyed painting the pines in the background - it was a challenge to try and create the impression of depth in a forest without using too much detail. I also wanted to make the foreground slightly more abstract and felt that loose areas of color would fit the bill. I'm using acrylic just like watercolor. This has advantages and disadvantages - I'll go through those in a future post. But for now I'm enjoying the experimentation!

Until next time...
Alison

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Illegal Trade in Wildlife

2011-02-22T09:41:00.006-05:00

Ensnared watercolor 20 x30"

I hope that someday I won't have to read so many stories like this but for now, they just keep on coming. I'm talking about the ever increasing illegal trade in wildlife. I receive regular email updates from TRAFFIC, an organization founded by 2 partner organizations - WWF and IUCN. It monitors the trade in wildlife to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.

One of the items TRAFFIC featured recently concerned an Indonesian man arrested at Bankok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport with 3 bags full of live animals, which he had bought at a nearby market. The list included tortoises, turtles, pythons, spiders, lizards, frogs, squirrels and an African Grey Parrot. You really should read this article to see the full extent of the list. It is quite astonishing. And, as the article states, although the airport authorities should be commended for finding the haul, the fact that the smuggler was able to purchase these animals at a market just down the street from both the Wildlife Protection and Nature Crime Police Offices does not say much for the enforcement of wildlife protection laws in the country.

(As you can see, I don't have any wildlife smuggling paintings to illustrate this story with, so I went with Ensnared, a painting which highlights the complexities of the bushmeat trade in rural Africa. For more on this painting please read my past blog post.)

Read the TRAFFIC article here.

Until next time...
Alison

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Artist In Africa Lecture

2011-02-18T09:40:00.000-05:00

My next Artist In Africa lecture will be held at the Blue Door Gallery in Yonkers, NY on March 5th at 2pm. Three of my African wildlife watercolors are exhibited as part of their current Out of Africa show, which includes work by a number of artists in a wide variety of mediums. The work is either inspired by the African continent or is the work of artists from Africa.

My lecture will be approximately 1 hour long and entry is free. You can find the Blue Door Gallery at 13 Riverdale Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10701.

Parking can be an issue, especially on a Saturday afternoon, so please allow time to park.
Hope to see you there!
Alison

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Painted Dogs Part 4

2011-02-15T11:32:00.000-05:00

Trotting original acrylic 12x16" US$990

And finally...here is the final section of my Painted Dogs demonstration! Parts One, Two and Three explained how I start with small sketches, progress to a larger drawing and then experiment with color. Here is the finished painting, titled Trotting. It shows 3 Painted Dogs (African wild dogs) setting out on an evening hunt. The pack's alpha female has chosen the direction but the second dog, a young male, seems more intent on socializing with his neighbor!

You may notice that the colors have changed substantially from Part 3 of the series where I was experimenting with a lemon yellow and much more vibrant pink. I abandoned the yellow completely and used the pink as the underwash instead. The dogs became darker, as did the surrounding wash, but still with areas of light shining through the dusk.

I am much happier with the new color scheme - what do you think?

Until next time...
Alison

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