Nisha
Topeka Zoo Auction Painting
In 2024 I had the unique privilege of being invited to be one of the participating artists at the Topeka Zoo's annual fundraising event, the Roar & Pour Auction. In conjunction with this event, local artists are paired with animals at the zoo to collaborate on an artwork that will then be auctioned off with the proceeds going to benefit the zoo.
I was thrilled when I found out I was matched with Nisha the tiger!
Having worked on many collaborative projects over the years I'm very familiar with the give and take cooperative nature of creating with another artist. It's important to not only showcase your own strengths, but to leave plenty of room for the other artists to shine as well. And most importantly, the final work should feel cohesive and unified, as if it were the work of a single creator rather than several. This was particularly interesting when the other collaborating creator was neither able to provide feedback or even cognizant that the project was taking place.
With that in mind, I tried to leave as many of Nisha's marks visible as possible. I selected a few different greens for her to "paint" with in the hopes that her paw prints and smears might create a sort of impressionistic foliage in which I could nestle her portrait. (You can see a few photos of Nisha painting below!)
In recent years I've grown very fond of drawing animals, often marveling amidst the process at the fascinating level of complex detail, stunning beauty and familiar proportions that the Father has designed into all of His creations. Tigers are certainly no different. The beautiful colors and complicated patterns of their stripping are undeniably artistic. And yet there is also a recognition of their raw power and ferocity present in their gaze. I believe these are qualities of beauty and strength are characteristics of our Heavenly Father that he has imbued into everything he has made. Nisha is a marvelous creature made by an even more marvelous Creator. And it was a pleasure to get to paint her portrait.
"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." -Romans 1:20 (ESV)
High Resolution Fine Art Prints are available in three different sizes
Prices do not include Shipping/Handling
16" x 20" (Full Size) : $140
12" x 16 (Two Thirds Original Size) : $95
8" x 10" (Half Original Size) : $55
Anyone interested can use the contact page for more details or to make arrangements.
