Acclaimed Nature Artist Completes Journey through the "Land of the Thunder Dragon"

 
Acclaimed Nature Artist Completes Journey Through the "Land of the Thunder Dragon"

UK Artist Paints the Flora & Fauna of Bhutan in Artists for Conservation
Foundation's 4th Flag Expedition

Vancouver, B.C., CANADA (May 31, 2007) - Artists for Conservation (AFC),
formerly the Worldwide Nature Artists Group, is proud to welcome Pollyanna
Pickering back from her incredible journey into the eastern Himalayas.
Pickering is the first western artist to comprehensively document Bhutan's
wildlife and habitat in a series of paintings.  Her journey was made
possible through a grant from the AFC' Flag Expedition Program. The AFC's
mission is to support wildlife and habitat conservation, biodiversity,
sustainability and environmental education, through art that celebrates our
natural heritage.

The objective of the AFC's Flag Expeditions Program is to make possible the
artistic field study and rendering of endangered species or habitats
deserving of greater public attention with strong emphasis on the study of
unique and threatened habitats and rare or endangered species in remote
parts of the world.

"Who knows what undiscovered secrets this mystical terrain is hiding? My aim
is to capture the atmosphere and spirit of the Himalayas, and document the
breathtaking diversity of life in this mountain kingdom," said Pickering,
prior to embarking on her 21st expedition, her most ambitious and
challenging project yet.  Past excursions have included treks into China,
Namibia, Transylvania, India, Siberia, Kenya, Central America and the
Arctic, to name a few.

Bhutan jealously guards its lifestyle and ancient traditions, and respecting
these values was first and foremost on Pickering's agenda.   Jeff Whiting,
President and Founder of the Artists for Conservation Foundation praised
Pickering's indomitable spirit and perseverance.

"The world will be fascinated as it follows Pollyanna on her landmark
artistic journey to Bhutan.  We anticipate seeing some magnificent artwork
of some rarely seen subjects of Bhutan's natural heritage.  We are excited
and proud to have been able to support Pollyanna on this Flag Expedition,
and to help share her stories, photos and art with the world.  We take
exceptional pride in knowing that her efforts will serve to directly support
wildlife and habitat conservation in that region."

The month-long journey into Bhutan began on March 28th  taking Pickering and
her daughter Anna-Louise, an accomplished wildlife photographer, the entire
width of the Himalayan kingdom, giving them the opportunity to experience
first hand the incredible range and diversity of the habitat, forestation
and wildlife found in this land least touched by modernity-a land that
houses almost 75% of the world's most endangered plant and animal species.
All animals in Bhutan are protected by the Buddhist ethic, which prohibits
killing, thus respecting all life and holding that a healthy environment is
essential for both material and spiritual happiness.

Pickering had four key target species that she hoped to sight.  She was
fortunate in finding three - the Red Panda, the Golden Langur, and the
Clouded Leopard.  The Snow Leopard was her fourth target species, but like
the yeti, it too remained elusive.   Pickering, however, did manage to speak
to several older Bhutanese villagers, who told stories of encounters with
the Migoi (yeti), who have the power of becoming invisible; hence, why so
few people see them.  Myth?  Hard to tell, since Pickering was shown a yeti
scalp in a monastery temple, which she was able to sketch.

Pickering sketches extensively while in the field, working in pencil and
charcoal, making quick studies to capture the essence of her subjects.   She
works in a variety of media, but primarily in gouache, on board and canvas.
Her work, following an expedition, includes landscapes of the area studied,
wildlife portraits, and 'study sheets' showing typical behavior of her
subjects.

"The paintings will bring visions of a Himalayan landscape to many people
who will never have the opportunity to travel to this remote and unspoiled
region of the world.  There is no substitute for the inspiration which comes
from the visit to the habitat, and the sketches made in situ," notes
Pickering, adding that some of her motivation came from the symbols of
Bhutan's religion - the colorful prayer flags which flutter throughout the
landscape, as well as the temple paintings.

"Buddhist art aims to transmit, in symbols or signs, a spark of the eternal
stream of life and consciousness - a noble tradition to aspire to.  We have
rarely left a country so optimistic for the future of its habitat and
wildlife.  Bhutan will remain an invaluable sanctuary for some of the
world's most endangered species," concludes Pickering.

On her return to her studio in the U.K., she will complete 50 pieces of
original artwork for a major exhibition and gallery shows.  These will
highlight the natural history of a Kingdom about which remarkably little is
known in the west, and also stress the importance of conserving the ecology
of the region.   Along with her sketches, paintings, photography, and video
clips, Pickering has also prepared a detailed journal documenting her
experience during the month-long adventure.  She will also be publishing a
book on her findings, and lecture tours are already scheduled well into
2008.

The AFC will be posting a high-resolution presentation of Pickering's "Flag"
journal on the AFC website over the next few weeks.  Ongoing coverage of her
expedition, including her photo essay and blog can be found at:
www.natureartists.com/flagexpeditions.

About the Flag Program:
The objective of the Flag Expeditions Program is to make possible the
artistic field study and rendering of endangered species or habitats
deserving of greater public attention with strong emphasis on the study of
unique and threatened habitats and rare or endangered species in remote
parts of the world.  For more information on the Artists for Conservation
(AFC) Flag Program, or sponsorship opportunities, please visit the
Expedition Web site at www.natureartists.com/flagexpeditions/.

You can also download PDFs of both the release and an accompanying
backgrounder at the following URLs:

http://www.natureartists.com/uploads/PR/AFC_NR_Pickering_Expedition_31May07.pdf

http://www.natureartists.com/uploads/PR/AFC_Backgrounder_Pickering_Expedition_31May07.pdf

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For further information:
Artists for Conservation (AFC)
www.natureartists.com
AFC Flag Expeditions Program:
www.natureartists.com/flagexpeditions
Pollyanna Pickering:
www.natureartists.com/pollyanna_pickering.asp

A low-resolution photo of Pickering with young Buddhist monks holding the
AFC Flag (shown with the Foundations' former insignia, the WNAG), is
included in the backgrounder document for this release.  A high-resolution
version is available upon request.  If using, please credit:  Anna-Louise
Pickering, courtesy of the Artists for Conservation Foundation.

For interviews with artist Pollyanna Pickering and/or Jeff Whiting,
President and Founder of the Artists for Conservation group, please contact:
Media Enquiries:

Ermelinda Mancini
Senior Communications Manager
Artists for Conservation Foundation
(Formerly the Worldwide Nature Artists Group)
"Supporting Nature Through Art"
Web: www.natureartists.com
Email: emancini@natureartists.com
Tel: 1-613-256-8434
Fax: 1-613-256-7532

Mission:
The Foundation's mission is to support wildlife and habitat conservation,
biodiversity, sustainability and environmental education, through art that
celebrates our natural heritage.