Artist in Residence at Nature in Art - 29th Jan - 4th Feb 2013

I am really looking forward to my AiR at the world famous Nature in Art  http://www.nature-in-art.org.uk/             

 

Nature in Art is the only place in the world that pays homage to wildlife and associated issues and nothing else, through the medium of art. It attracts artists from all over the world who have become experts and icons in wildlife conservation. People like Gary Hodges  http://www.garyhodges-wildlife-art.com/ , who does a huge amount to help the plight of wildlife, particularly African big cats.

 

I will be there from 29th Jan - 4th Feb 2013.

 

I have started a painting called "Spectrum". It will be arranged like a colour wheel and will illustrate the rich diversity in insect colour. Entomology is my special passion and I am driven to draw attention to the beauty that is all around us in the insect world, but is so often,  ignored or reviled. Hopefully by the end of my residency, it will be finished, ready for sale. I will also have a selection of my originals paintings, prints and greetings cards for sale. Please come along, I would love to see you......I don't bite!!

........Difficult to envisage it so far, but it's all in my head, and should look effective when finished.

 

Each photographic reference is one I have captured myself. Where I do have gaps in my records, I have a couple of wonderful friends, Roy and Marie, who will "lend" me images, if I am stuck. These fab people are wildlife experts in their own right and are totally dedicated to promoting the beauty of the natural world.

 

"Why are Insects Fab?" event 30th March & two week Art Exhibition 22nd March - 8th April 2013 at Cornium Museum, Cirencester

I am busy reviewing the dates I have booked for this year. Lots to look forward to....the Amateur Entomologists' Members' Day and AGM at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery http://www.amentsoc.org/events/listings/0619/, as well as my Artist in Residence positions at Nature in Art http://www.cathhodsmanwildlifeartist.com/2012/12/artist-in-residence-at-nature-in-art-glos/ and Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/slimbridge/..... and so much more this year.

One of the events I am most looking forward to is my annual involvement with the Help a Hedgehog Hospital Charity  http://www.helpahedgehog.org/  These are a fab group of people who work tirelessley to support the well being/care/conservation/education of and about hedgehogs. Since the 1930's, hog numbers have declined by 95%. Without groups like HaHH, hogs would  now be facing potential extinction.

"Hugo" a print I did for HaHH to help raise funds 

Every year the HaHH hold an event at The Corinium Museum, http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=2457&tt=cotswold&eventStatus=list&eventAction=view&eventId=16244 to educate and excite children about hedgehogs.This year is slightly different. There will still be the usual craft/hog events, but I will aso be joining them on March 30th to run sessions called   "Why are Insects Fab? I will be teaching children how to appreciate insects in all of their colourful/diverse/fascinating glory. There will be exotic specimens to see and drawings/paintings to be done.



The event comes in the middle of my own two week art exhibition http://www.culture24.org.uk/sw000029?id=EVENT416236  at the Corinium Museum in "The Hare" Gallery. This runs from 22nd March - 8th April 2013. Samples of all of my work will be on show and a % of sales proceeds will go to the Museum and the HaHH charity. Last year, my best selling image was my hare. I have another Hare print for this year....let's hope it's as well received...

"Brown Hare#2" - detail. On sale at the exhibition





I am joining The Wildlife Art Company

I am very pleased to announce that I have been invited to join The Wildlife Art Company One of the 

world's most prestigious natural-history angencies http://www.wildlifeartcompany.com/wildlife_illustrations.php 





The Wildlife Art Company is a natural history network agency created to meet the high demand for top quality illustrations from the natural world. It was set up by Mark Carwardine - BBC zoologist and Rachel Ashton, a natural history editor. Together they have years of experience in the wildlife publishing industry.

 

The artists on their books are amongst the best and the most scientifically accurate illustrations in the  world at their art.

 

The website covers a huge variety of species of plants, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles birds and  mammals. They also represent the artwork from the Collins field guides and The Natural History Museum, (London) Collection.

 

I am now in the process of registering a selection of images to appear on the website. I have chosen 15, mainly from my favourite animals - the insects!! See more details of my Insect studies on my Insect Gallery on my Website  I am really looking forward to seeing my name up there with the other artists. Cant wait to get started on any challenging insect commissions that may come my way too.

  

This is my watercolour painting of a female Southern Hawker. She landed on vegetation in my wildlife garden and my husband and myself were lucky enough to get some great shots as she sunned herself.......I love Southern Hawkers. They are amongst the UK's most inquisitive dragonflies. They will often fly close and "buzz" you to check you out......great stuff!!

 

I will keep you posted as to when my entry has been published......In the meantime, if you have any questions, queries about my art or conservation work, please email me on cathhodsman@talktalk.net





My latest project - Saving Scottish Wildcats;

There are only 35 true Scottish wildcats left in the wild. A group of dedicated individulas have set themselves the enormous task of raising money to set up a 7000 sq mile reserve on the West Highlands of Scotland to keep the last individuals safe. Safe from interbreeding from domestic cats, to keep the blood-line pure.


More details about this project can be found here.... http://www.phillarsen.plus.com/wildcat/Wildcat_Gallery/The_Artists.html

A wildlife artist called Phil Larsen has organised 40 artists, who have each drawn, sketched, painted or sculpted their version of a Scottish wildcat. The intention is to publicise the on-line gallery intensely to raise funds for this great cause.

This is my contribution to the project. I prefer working with graphite for my mammalian work.....I wanted him to look really intense - to capture the power of these wonderful animals....



To purchase this image, and help theis very British and worthy cause, either visit the on-line gallery or visit The Mammalian Gallery on my website.
 http://www.cathhodsmanwildlifeartist.com/gallery-4-mammals/