- Susan Shimeld
_Wildlife Artist and Natural History Illustrator



-Amy (Orangutan)

© Susan Shimeld

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From the sale of my wildlife art painting, 'Amy' Orangutan, and with the sale of each 'Amy' Orangutan Fine Art Print and Greetings Card, a donation is given to the Orangutan Foundation.

I have actively supported Wildlife and Conservation groups for the past 30 years and admire in particular the work and achievements of Birute Galdikas and the Orangutan Foundation. The book "Reflections of Eden" by Birute Galdikas, describes her observations of orangutan life. Her work reveals the intricate balance of life for orangutans and how the future of this species is totally dependant on the survival of the remaining rainforests.

In 1994, I enrolled on a Natural History Illustration course and thoroughly enjoyed combining my love of wildlife and art. Whenever possible during the course I would incorporate my concern for endangered species with my artwork and Amy was painted as part of one of my college projects. During the course, it was suggested that we visit a zoo in order to produce a painting of our chosen subject. As I am not in favour of traditional zoos, I decided to visit the Monkey World Sanctuary at Bere Regis in Dorset. As soon as I saw Amy, I knew that I wanted to portray her - her expressions and behaviour conveyed so much.

I spent many hours at Monkey World either drawing or just being with Amy and after only a couple of visits she would come to greet me - I became very fond of her.

During 1998, the televised reports of the huge fires destroying the rainforests in Borneo; plus the slaughter of orangutan mothers to enable the capture of their young, for the pet trade - brought home loud and clear how a species can be pushed to the edge of extinction within such a short space of time.

I hope that the proceeds from my Orangutan Art, Orangutan Fine Art Prints and Greetings Cards will help the remaining Orangutan population continue to live in the forests they have known for so long.

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---------------------------Original Paintings, Fine Art Prints & Greetings Cards

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-----------------------All Artwork, Images & Content © Susan Shimeld. 2002. All rights reserved.