When I first began drawing wildlife I spent many hours labouring over getting my drawing to look ‘right’. I would beat myself up a lot in my mind and say, “How do I do this? It’s just not right!” There was not a lot of joy in what I was doing because I was focusing so much on the ‘how’. Gradually over the years I have learned a different approach.
Before I start on a new drawing I always have the intention of doing my best yet I prefer to let go of any attachment to a particular outcome. By making that decision it allows me to rest in the practice of drawing itself so that it becomes totally conscious. It then feels like my expression flows through me as a part of me.
When I am in a state of total presence I find that I am able to connect more with the animals that I am portraying by entering their world. It’s as though my ego dissolves or just falls away while I feel a sense of peace and ‘oneness’. There is less struggle and whole lot more flow even to the point of it becoming effortless.
I have now made the conscious choice of bringing even more presence into my everyday activities so that by focussing totally on the task at hand there is less of my ‘little’ chatterbox mind taking over. I realise that I am more than that. Beauty and creativity does not come from the ‘little’ mind space, it comes from a source that’s unlimited that I (and you) are connected to right here, right now.
I feel so blessed to be living so close to nature too where I can witness the beauty that surrounds me. ‘How’ do I draw has changed to ‘I love to draw’ and that’s why I do it, and not because I have to.
Another reason why I draw is to contribute to the preservation of wildlife. I feel so grateful that I have had the opportunity over the course of my career to donate my works to various animal welfare organizations and make a difference for wildlife, especially for endangered wildlife. Just recently I received a letter back from the Silvery Gibbon Project art auction committee to say that my artists proof print was one of the favourites and sold for $600 on the night of October 31st 2009. The overall profit for the night was $22,000 being a huge success as many of their recent smaller fundraisers struggled to make more than $1000.
It’s such a great feeling to know that I was able contribute towards a brighter future for the species and I will continue to assist many more endangered species through my work.
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