Current
Wild at Heart
portraits of endangered species
By Dawn Siebel
December 6 - 31, 2018
Artist Reception, December 14, 5-8 pm on Arts Night Out
I paint portraits of endangered species because I believe their right to exist is equal to ours. We are all in this together; yet the threat to their existence is entirely my species’ fault. I am arguing for their rights with these portraits.
The more time I spend with the species I paint, the deeper my understanding of their physiology, temperament, social rules and habits. On extended zoo visits I spend hours with these animals over days, shooting images for reference, but often just sitting with them, watching. Keepers share quirks and stories with me about their wards. Back in my studio, all this research finds its way into my portraits, both practically and magically, as I bring that emotional memory to the canvas. I have met my subjects; we have regarded one another. I carry a sense of their presence. We have looked eye-to-eye.
Each animal I paint is a specific equal Being looking back at the viewer. It’s that Beingness I want the viewer to grok, a recognition of an equal Other, of sentience. I do not paint the generic. These animals have posed for their portraits. I love them all.
Dawn Howkinson Siebel, 2018
portraits of endangered species
By Dawn Siebel
December 6 - 31, 2018
Artist Reception, December 14, 5-8 pm on Arts Night Out
I paint portraits of endangered species because I believe their right to exist is equal to ours. We are all in this together; yet the threat to their existence is entirely my species’ fault. I am arguing for their rights with these portraits.
The more time I spend with the species I paint, the deeper my understanding of their physiology, temperament, social rules and habits. On extended zoo visits I spend hours with these animals over days, shooting images for reference, but often just sitting with them, watching. Keepers share quirks and stories with me about their wards. Back in my studio, all this research finds its way into my portraits, both practically and magically, as I bring that emotional memory to the canvas. I have met my subjects; we have regarded one another. I carry a sense of their presence. We have looked eye-to-eye.
Each animal I paint is a specific equal Being looking back at the viewer. It’s that Beingness I want the viewer to grok, a recognition of an equal Other, of sentience. I do not paint the generic. These animals have posed for their portraits. I love them all.
Dawn Howkinson Siebel, 2018