Big Cats by David Dancey-Wood
A new slide show of David's work which is featured on YouTube.

As I mentioned in my last entry, I am putting together a series of slide shows of David's work, and interviews with David, to feature on our new website and on this blog. Some of you will have already seen two slide shows available on YouTube, one of which has been posted there since last year. Several people have commented about them and we thought it would be an interesting feature to include in the new site. We have now posted the 1st slide show in the new series which will feature David's work in short 3-5 minute episodes, selected according to the different animal categories.

Of course, we are all already fans of these images, and most probably own many of them, but I hope you enjoy the episode's as they are posted over the next few weeks.

We would like to get as many people as possible to view these on YouTube, and in order to attract more viewings it would be very helpful if you rate each slide show when you see them. That will increase the interest value of the videos online and hopefully increase viewings. Thank you in advance for helping with this.

Finally, I have found that the videos are best seen using Firefox for some reason, but whichever browser you have I'm pretty confident you will enjoy them. I look forward to reading your comments.

And, please download them to your own sites and blogs as you wish. I think you can even download them to a mobile, so have fun.

Vince De Luca.

This Slide Show was kindly created for Wildlife Sketches by Stephen Edwards of S-EI Creatives Bournemouth 2010

        

Let me take a moment of your time to wish all our readers and viewers a Happy New Year. I hope you have all got over the indulgence of Christmas and it was good for you all. I am more than relieved to put it behind me. Traditionally I normally hang up my pencils over the festive period as it comes as a well relieved natural break from the hard slog of autumn and the busy festive trading period.
It is always nice to come back fresh in the new year revitalized and ready to get going on new work. The reality is that getting together the motivation to kick start yourself back to work on a dark, gray, cold winters morning at the start of the year is a far from easy task. I don't know what that magic ingredient is, that ignites an artists drive but I know that I could certainly do with whatever it is come January each year.
After a terrifically busy season before Christmas I have faced a repeat question time and time again regarding my plans for 2010. The answer to be honest is that much of it is still undecided, I can definitely reassure many of you that there will be a couple of shows with new work spread throughout it (I guarantee the blog will be a good port of call for info on this). Other plans that might or might not happen include expeditions and a possible new edition to my book catalogs. For full details of all news and forthcoming releases keep checking in and we will try and regularly keep things posted.
Unfortunately due to a few technical problems the release of the new Sally print for Monkey World was delayed before Christmas and didn't get to the websites in time for many x mas shoppers. It has now been released and is available from the Monkey world shop and website at the same price and size as the previous release of Charlie. The print comes as a regular 595 limited edition litho and a luxury very large size giclee 199 edition. If due to some unknown reason it is still not on their website www.monkeyworld.org please feel free to give n the shop a ring who will happily deal with your order.

        

        

This a great little video I found on the La Repubblica website. There seems to be no sound but it doesn't need any really (although, it would be great if someone could add a little music to this clip).

L'alce gioca nella pozzanghera

(14 novembre 2009) http://tv.repubblica.it

This is a short video of a young moose playing in a puddle in the forest. Nothing else needs to be said.

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Now some of you may be wondering if this is actually a moose. So I'd better explain. The title in Italian is Alce, which translates as Moose. But I am sure some might wonder, so I have included a link to a webpage which might help out anyone a little doubtful.

http://naturetravels.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/what%E2%80%99s-the-difference-between-a-moose-and-an-elk/

I hope you enjoyed this little video. I think it's great!

Vince De Luca.

        

Hi there all,

This is just a quick shout out and thank you to everyone that attended my show preview on Friday it was most appreciated. As usual we got a good turnout and it was lovely to see lots of old faces and many new ones as well. What surprised me more than anything is the distance that some of you traveled, it turns out that most people who came traveled for at least a couple of hours just to get there. This always humbles me to think that people enjoy seeing my work so much they will bother to get in their car and travel across the country, all I can say to this is thank you!

The new collection of pictures were recieved very well, with a few as usual being the forerunners for everyones praise and attention. I think without a doubt the picture of the night and the one that recieved the most comments was definitely my pangolin. I was very pleased people liked it as it was a picture I had wanted to draw for some time and it took a lot out of me getting it done.

For those of you who were unfortunately unable to visit on Friday ,you will be pleased to know that the show will remain intact and is open to all who wish to visit for the next 3 weeks. So if you feel the urge I can totally recommend a visit and I hope you will enjoy it. Details are in my previous entry.

I must also take the time to remind folks that I still have another one day show to come in Eastliegh near Southampton. I will be there on the day to sign stuff and have a chat. For those of you interested it is Sunday the 22nd of November  'The Picture Framing Gallery' Eastleigh.(Details again are in my previous entry).

All the best and I look forward to seeing some more of you there.

        

Ok, well this is not actually about wildlife, but please don't be upset. I found this YouTube video and I think it's very funny, but also quite interesting.

I hope you enjoy it, and please don't get upset. It is meant to be funny afterall.

 
Just so everyone is clear, this is here only because I found it funny, and I'd like everyone to have a laugh too.

Vince De Luca..

P.S. Would'nt It be great if we could actually wipe out famine? It'd be great for the wildlife too.

        

It's that time of year again and I always know when exhibition season has arrived as I don't seem to get a moment spare. I have been burning the midnight oil and have been drawing quite a few new pics for my forthcoming shows. After a strange year when the media have been constantly telling us the economy is in dire straits, which is obviously undeniable , business for me as an artist has been fairly good with only the usual slump that occurs every summer.

I am exhibiting with two new galleries this autumn and I am very excited about both. The first show will be with new gallery  Bianco Giglio Gallery recently opened by Infinartums Amanda Shivrell in Crowthorne Berks. Mandy has wanted a gallery for sometime so this is almost her dream come true and if ever there was a right person to run a gallery it is her. When she invited me to do a show I was more than pleased to help out as I know that judging by her previous shows Amanda always puts on a superb evening . Bianco Giglio Gallery will be holding the opening night on Friday 30th October and the show will run for several weeks. For those of you interested in attending the preview opening night, you can either contact the gallery for an invitation or email hawksbill fine art who will be more than happy to help sales@hawksbill.co.uk . I can assure you that it will be well worth it with many new originals on show and new print releases.

For more details and location:
Bianco Giglio Gallery
196b Dukes Ride
Crowthorne
Berks
RG45 6DS
01344 566 201
For invitations please email  sales@hawksbill.co.uk

The second show will be held at The Picture Framing Gallery in Eastleigh Hants. This show will fill the usual slot that Enigma fine Art usually hold their annual open day at the Marriott hotel Portsmouth. Enigma have now decided to cease trading after the sad illness of Simon this year . Enigma announced that without Simon it was always going to be hard to run the business as he was without doubt the driving force. For those of you who know Simon you will be aware that Simon very rarely just had customers as he believed in making all his clients good friends and over many years he has become somewhat of a legend in the area of wildlife fine art sales. Although it is sad to loose Simon for a while I am sure we have not seen the last of him as when I last spoke with him he was making a truly miraculous recovery.

I have been trading with the Picture Framing Gallery for some years now and it seemed that due to their location, and client crossover with Enigma ,they were without doubt the most suitable candidates to takes over the show. Rather than holding it at the Marriott we decided to hold it at their gallery on the high street Eastleigh. The Gallery is easily accessible from the motorway ,parking is good and there are several big chain hotels located nearby for those of you who travel some distance and like to make a weekend of it. If you require any more details about the location you can either do a map search on google or contact the gallery direct who will be more than happy to be of assistance. The show itself will be held on Sunday the 22nd of November the day after the turning on of town centre Christmas lights. The large shopping centre will be open and will hopefully have a really nice Christmas feel and will make a pleasant afternoon. We sincerely hope that customers of Enigma and from the Hampshire area will continue their devoted support through this new Gallery ,who incidentally did the framing for Enigma and will be able to cater for many of your framing needs.

For more details and enquiries please contact the following:
The Picture Framing Gallery
41 High Street
Eastleigh
SO50 5LG
023 80647658 email ian.reed4@virgin.net


A sneak preview of a new print release for this autumn. Thia will released as a limited edition giclee along with two other litho editions prints yet to be announced.

        

It has been a while since I last put an entry on the blog. I apologise to those of you waiting for news on forthcoming releases and future shows. As simple as it may seem, the summer has been here. Despite it being somewhat short and now very wet I have been enjoying the time in my garden to reflect and contemplate future works of art.

It is very easy for an artist to become stuck in his or her ways, particularly if they become moderately secure with a comfortable income. This is not a good thing as it is very negative to become complacent, this will almost definitely lead to stagnation. Pencil art in particular over the past few years has become more and more mainstream with many artists taking it up and concentrating on it as their most focused medium. Although I rejoice that finally the lowly pencil might start to gain some worthy recognition as the commercial art world gather to celebrate it. I also wonder if sometimes the hint of saturation can take us down a road of familiarity which we all know can breed contempt. Through my thoughts and pondering over the subject I have realised maybe it is time for a shake up and that I need to start searching again for an inspiration that drives me. This is easier said than done and to be honest whenever I make bold statements like these it often takes many months for them to come to fruition. However the seed is sown and I would like to think I am now starting the path which will hopefully lead to a new road of discovery. What I mean by discovery is that I wish to excite myself with new works of art and at the same time excite the people who attend my shows, maybe even shock a few. I will not be starting to paint abstract pictures using jelly and compost but will maybe start to look at the way I approach my drawings and will certainly try and tackle them from a new angle.

I have had many enquirers over the past month asking whether or not I will be making a new release any time soon. In all honesty I had not planned any such event as the summer trade in fine art prints has always been notoriously slow in the UK. Instead I will wait a month or two and may even let the readers of this blog decide as to which drawing might make a suitable new release.

I can also happily announce that sometime soon for those of you who cannot wait there will be a new Monkey World picture which will be in the same format as the last 'Charlie' pic in both a Giclee and Litho limited edition print. As to who it will be, for those of you who are familiar with Monkey World and the tv series 'Monkey Life' you will be all to aware of the well known character 'Sally'.

Watch this space for more details.

David                    
                                                                                                                                                       


                         'julio' 
copyright monkey world 2008 ltd edition 495 release

        

 

You did it George!

Near Extinct Galapagos Tortoise Successfully Mates at 90 years old!

Many of us in the UK watched a natural history program a few months ago about the plight of the Galapagos Tortoise, which were in danger of becoming extinct. This was a very moving program which explained how these giant tortoises had evolved without any predators until ships started to bring people to these islands. We all know about how the creatures of The Galapagos inspired Charles Darwin to develope his Theory of Evolution, (which all but the most stubborn now accept as fact). The program we saw on the television even mentioned that Darwin may never actually have seen a Pinto Tortoise, as they were already very rare due to ships taking these slow animals for food. They were very big and easy to catch, and could supply the crews of the ship will fresh food during long journeys as these animals could be kept alive until needed. 

Several species of these amazing animals were totally unique to a specific island, and found no where else. One of these was the wonderful Pinto Tortoise which had evolved a long neck to reach higher vegetation. The Pinto Tortoise was thought to have gone extinct until 1972 when one of these giants was found on the island of Pinto. Although a thorough search was carried out, no other living examples were found. The sole representative of the species was then re homed on another island and carefully looked after by his human companions. They named him George.

George soon became a world celebrity, and has been written about in all the worlds major press. He is the main logo of the Galapagos too. He has become known as "Lonesome George".

Apparently, "Galapagos" means Giant Tortoise in Spanish, but someone else will have to let me know if that's true.

Anyway, George was a bachelor, and no living females of his own species remained. So his keepers, in a bid to try to get him to mate, introduced a couple of other female giant tortoises from species very close to his own. Just to see if he would be interested. And a team of scientists have, since 1993 been trying to coax him to mate. Unfortunately, George wasn't interested it seemed. 

Then, last Tuesday, a day which I will now always remember- even though I didn't realise it till today, 

  Amazed keepers discovered a clutch of unhatched eggs in his “bachelor” pen in the Galapagos Islands.


At a boy George! Way to Go!
Image Credit

Well, your not quite out of the woods yet though. The scientist and the keepers have transfered the eggs to incubators and are waiting the normal 120 days before they know if the eggs have been fertilised, so lets all keep our fingers crossed for George, and the little georges to come.

This is in my opinion the best thing I've heard all summer, and I hope you enjoyed this article.

Vince De Luca.

        

As usual I was browsing the net today and I saw this article on The Guardian website www.guardian.co.uk I thought you'd like to see some of the images.

These images are adverts from around the world collected by ACT Responsible a swiss based company.

"Since 2001, Swiss-based not-for-profit organisation ACT Responsible (Advertising Community Together), has been collecting global advertising that 'promotes responsible communication on sustainability, equitable development and social responsibility' in a bid to highlight how the creativity of advertising professionals can be used to address the world's problems.

Among its 2,500 ads from more than 40 countries and 140 award-winning agencies is a striking collection of adverts that focus on environmental and social issues: from deforestation to recycling and conserving water to climate change" www.guardian.co.uk 8/7/2009

I have to start by showing you this great image called simply "Turtle".



This image says it all really.

Title: Turtle
Agency: Ogilvy & Mather
Made for: WWF (Hungary)

Photograph: WWF/ACT Responsible

The next image is a dramatic one, and disturbing one. It shows how much colour there is in a this beautiful world, and how dirty it can become if we keep messing it up.



First, when you see this image it looks like two separate photo's. But, look again, actually the image merges. In the clear half you can see carp breathing, but on the murky polluted side it difficult to make out even the water.

Title: Pond
Agency: Air
Made for: Biocorner (Belgium)
Tag line: Protecting colors

Photograph: Biocorner/ACT Responsible

This next image is very graphic but I want to show it because it carries on from and article we published on this blog recently called "Letter From Hawaii" by T.C.Evamay.



This poor creature must have been starving, and obviously wasn't getting anything from the waste he kept eating. It's a horrific image for any humane being to see. And it's all down to us.
Incredible just how much this bird had in it's stomach. All of it Waste from humans.

Title: Albatross
Agency: Publicis Mojo Auckland
Made for: Greenpeace (New Zealand)
Tag line: How to starve to death on a full stomach

Photograph: Greenpeace /ACT Responsible

The last image I have selected shows what most of us know is really on the minds and in the hearts of the people that could do the most to SAVE OUR PLANET.



No other comment needed I think.

Title: Oil
Agency: Ogilvy & Mather,
Greenpeace (China)
Tag line: Everyone's entitled to an opinion. Voice yours at forum.greenpeace.org

Photograph: Greenpeace /ACT Responsible

I hope you enjoyed this entry, and I would be very happy to post any comments on the blog.

Vince De Luca.

If you'd like to read the whole Guardian Article, and see many more of these stunning images please visit: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2009/jul/01/act-responsible-environmental-advertising?picture=349628871