Looking forward to 2012
Well here is my first post of 2012 nearing the end of january. 2012 already marked by some as the year of apocalypse as predicted by the ancient Mayan culture, me personally I shall not loose to much sleep over it. I believe the information is minimal and has been, exaggerated, blown out of all proportion and taken to heart by another band of conspiracy loving enthusiasts. For me 2012 is another exciting year for exploring new methods and techniques of drawing, developing compositions, learning about new species that I can study and depict in future pictures and hopefully maybe even get to travel a bit in the process. There is already far to much gloom and doom around us everyday to add another apocolyptic prophecy to the burden.
I would like to say that 2012 will be my year of the elephant as I have some exciting projects lined up involving many pachyderm activities. This would possibly be a little short sighted of me as I would also like to definitely develop more drawings of crocodilia and also carry on with other projects that have been simmering in the background.
Hopefully I will get to speak more of this in future posts, but I am glad to announce that in april I will be of on my travels again in search of new material to add to my increasing portfolio. This year I will be going to Nepal helping out in a wildlife survey of Bardia National Park. The project will mainly involve elephants but I am also keen to observe the local herpetological population. The expedition will be lead by the notable explorer Col Blashford Snell who has taken several other expeditions to this area in the past in search of an elephant so big it could easily have been mistaken for a mammoth and possibly even related to the ancient Stegodon. I will also, while in Nepal be taking the opportunity to observe and study the incredibly rare, fish eating crocodile, the Gharial in the south of the country. Nepal has never been a country that has been high on my list of priority destinations but I often find that is the way I stumble upon a real gem of a country that opens up complete new worlds for me. I am certainly looking forward to adding regular updates and posts on the blog, keeping everyone informed of how it is all going.
'Raja Gaj' the Mammoth elephant of Royal Bardia Nepa Copyright ‘Photo: Nick Wilcox-Brown / nickwbcom.
I would also like to mention that 2012 is a very special year for Monkey World Ape rescue centre whom I have been working with for the past 15 years. This year the rescue centre in Dorset will be celebrating their 25th anniversary with many celebrations and activities (please check the website www.monkeyworld.org for further details). It is also approaching the 5 year mark since Jim Cronin passed away. It is such a shame he won't be here to see the anniversary but I know so well of how proud he would be of the way Alison his wife has not only kept the place going but has pioneered the work, going from strength to strength making it the world class centre of excellence it is today.
Other projects this year will hopefully include going back to work with Sean Foggett of Crocodiles of the World in Witney Oxfordshire. I was so over the moon with the results of my Chinese Alligator picture that I have decided I would love to continue drawing more crocodiles and hopefully work closely with CROTW on this.
David and Sean AKA 'Crocman' from Crocodiles of the world.
Anyway despite what all the papers are saying and the bleak outlook of the economics for 2012 I am trying my best keep a positive attitude and lets hope it will be a good year all round.
I would like to say that 2012 will be my year of the elephant as I have some exciting projects lined up involving many pachyderm activities. This would possibly be a little short sighted of me as I would also like to definitely develop more drawings of crocodilia and also carry on with other projects that have been simmering in the background.
Hopefully I will get to speak more of this in future posts, but I am glad to announce that in april I will be of on my travels again in search of new material to add to my increasing portfolio. This year I will be going to Nepal helping out in a wildlife survey of Bardia National Park. The project will mainly involve elephants but I am also keen to observe the local herpetological population. The expedition will be lead by the notable explorer Col Blashford Snell who has taken several other expeditions to this area in the past in search of an elephant so big it could easily have been mistaken for a mammoth and possibly even related to the ancient Stegodon. I will also, while in Nepal be taking the opportunity to observe and study the incredibly rare, fish eating crocodile, the Gharial in the south of the country. Nepal has never been a country that has been high on my list of priority destinations but I often find that is the way I stumble upon a real gem of a country that opens up complete new worlds for me. I am certainly looking forward to adding regular updates and posts on the blog, keeping everyone informed of how it is all going.
'Raja Gaj' the Mammoth elephant of Royal Bardia Nepa Copyright ‘Photo: Nick Wilcox-Brown / nickwbcom.
I would also like to mention that 2012 is a very special year for Monkey World Ape rescue centre whom I have been working with for the past 15 years. This year the rescue centre in Dorset will be celebrating their 25th anniversary with many celebrations and activities (please check the website www.monkeyworld.org for further details). It is also approaching the 5 year mark since Jim Cronin passed away. It is such a shame he won't be here to see the anniversary but I know so well of how proud he would be of the way Alison his wife has not only kept the place going but has pioneered the work, going from strength to strength making it the world class centre of excellence it is today.
Other projects this year will hopefully include going back to work with Sean Foggett of Crocodiles of the World in Witney Oxfordshire. I was so over the moon with the results of my Chinese Alligator picture that I have decided I would love to continue drawing more crocodiles and hopefully work closely with CROTW on this.
David and Sean AKA 'Crocman' from Crocodiles of the world.
Anyway despite what all the papers are saying and the bleak outlook of the economics for 2012 I am trying my best keep a positive attitude and lets hope it will be a good year all round.
Great post David,
This is an absolutely brilliant website and Vince deserves all the accolades he receives for running it as a living breathing entity, forever moving forward.
I've learned as much about Natural History on this site as anywhere else. And whilst on this subject I must make mention of Jon Isaac's absolutely awesome photographic work and his wonderful write up's. (J.K.Rowling watch your back ) !!
Have a great field trip in April David... and remember .. Crocs bite !!
If I've not made a contribution to this brilliant website before you return, I fear that the administrator may well be knocking on my door with a large club !!
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I really enjoyed reading David's blog about his plans for 2012.The trip to Nepal sounds amazing. It will be interesting to read his views on the giant elephant after he has been there and hopefully seen it.
I also wonder if he will get an opportunity to see the Indian Rhino which I always think is an incredibly species or any of the smaller cat species.
Either way, we should all benefit from some fantastic drawings coming our way of new Asian species.
Great to read the comment from Simon, a true supporter, also very generous with his praise.
I hope Simon does write an article for the website in the near future as he has an immense fund of interesting anecdotes and knowledge.
I'm just finishing an article on elephants which I hope Vince likes and which could contribute to David's idea of 2012 being the year of the elephant on Wildlife Sketches.
Look forward to seeing more writers and articles on the website. Regards Jon
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The image of Raja Gaj is my © 1993. SES have permission to use it for their publicity. You may use it without charge but please credit me: ‘Photo: Nick Wilcox-Brown / nickwbcom’
Thank you,
Nick.
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