I am thrilled to share an exciting project that I recently had the honour of working on with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS). They reached out to me with a wonderful opportunity: to illustrate a gift card featuring some of the chimpanzees they work with, which will be sold to raise funds for their vital conservation efforts in Uganda, helping to protect and conserve these incredible animals.
The Chimpanzee Stars: Zed, Oakland, and Ozil
The gift cards feature three charismatic chimpanzees: Zed, the male, Oakland, the female, and their adorable baby, Ozil, who often sits with Oakland. Each chimpanzee has its own unique personality and charm, which I aimed to capture in the artwork. Working from the photographs provided by the RZSS, I was inspired by the lush, green environment that these chimpanzees call home, and I wanted to bring that vibrant scenery into the illustrations even though it was not as vibrant in the original photos.
Crafting the Perfect Card
After some discussions, we decided that a square shape would be the best format for the cards. I have always found square cards to feel more luxurious and they allow for a more inclusive frame, capturing much more detail and providing a richer visual experience. This format also enabled me to create a more immersive and lush background, enhancing the natural beauty of the chimpanzees' habitat.
Sharing the Art with Uganda
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was hearing the reaction from the Ugandan team who run the chimpanzee project when they were shown the finished artwork. They were incredibly happy with the artwork and recognised their beloved chimpanzees which as an artist is the ultimate ....... The team plans to sell these cards at their site in Uganda, with 100% of the proceeds going towards supporting their essential conservation work. It's heartening to know that my art will play a small part in helping protect these magnificent creatures and their environment.
Available Online and at the Zoo
In addition to being sold in Uganda, the gift cards will also be available in the RZSS's online shop, making it easy for supporters from all over to contribute to this worthy cause. Each purchase will help fund the ongoing efforts to conserve chimpanzees and their habitats, ensuring that future generations can continue to marvel at these fascinating animals.
A Heartfelt Thank You
I want to extend a huge thank you to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland for this incredible opportunity. It's been a joy to work on this project and to know that my art will help raise funds for such an important cause. I also want to thank the Ugandan team for their kind feedback and for their unwavering dedication to chimpanzee conservation.
If you're looking for a meaningful and beautiful gift, I encourage you to consider purchasing these chimpanzee gift cards. Not only will you be getting a lovely piece of art, but you'll also be supporting crucial conservation efforts. Stay tuned for more updates and, as always, thank you for your support!
To read more about their ongoing work with chimpanzees click here
To buy your own card and support their work click here
