Blackbird in Rowan by Robert Gillmor

Happy Fiftieth

A lot can change in fifty years. We take the plethora of wildlife images that adorn magazines, galleries (and websites) for granted now, but in 1960 artworks featuring nature were few and far between. The wildfowl paintings of Peter Scott and book illustrations from Charles Tunnicliffe were popular but far from commonplace.
With this in mind a young bird illustrator from Reading, Robert Gillmor, with the enthusiastic support of Peter Scott, Eric Ennion and Keith Shackleton organized the Exhibition of Contemporary Bird Painters in 1960. After favourable reviews the show was taken on a provincial tour for two years and the success and popularity led directly to the formation in 1964 of the Society of Wildlife Artists.
To commemorate the event today’s wildlife artists have been brought together by Steve and Liz Harris at Birdscapes Gallery at Cley, Norfolk. 50 contemporary bird painters exhibiting 50 works for a 50th anniversary show, and looking at the array of work on display I think we all owe a huge debt of gratitude to the forever-young bird illustrator from Reading.
You have to know where you came from if you want to know where you’re going.

In Yellowstone there are two species of bears to look-out for: American Black Bears and Brown, or Grizzly Bears.
Sounds straightforward eh? One's black and the other brown you'd think. You'd think wrong.
You see some brown bears are technically black. This is when the individual is referred as a 'cinnamon' and then you have a brown black bear. Just to keep you guessing some grizzlies are really dark so at a distance you can have black brown bears. Confused yet?
Once again you have to study the structure and the look of the animal to distinguish the two: Black bears have larger ears and fur like velvet (check those bearskin hats). Grizzlies have a shoulder lump and a coarse coat which can take on a two tone look. Black's head profile shows a straight nose; a Grizzly nose can be slightly upturned and make it pig-like (though don't tell it I said so).
Drawing bears is like drawing birds. You look hard and you notice subtle differences. You'd better remember to keep your distance though.....

What did Groucho Marx say about clubs that would have him as a member?
At this year’s Natural Eye Exhibition at the Mall Galleries I was pleased to receive the Arts Club Award.
The award, in the form of membership, recognizes a collection of work and is given at the discretion of the renowned Arts Club of Dover Street. Founded in 1893 by, amongst others, Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope and Lord Leighton, the Arts Club’s members have included Whistler, Monet, Rodin and Degas. Current members include Peter Blake, Grayson Perry, David Frost, Richard Attenborough, Ronnie Wood, Kim Cattrall...... and now me.
Standards are slipping I guess.