ENDANGERED: Art4Apes is delighted to announce that Cyndy Beardsley is our August 2022 Virtual Artist in Residence

Congratulations to Cyndy Beardsley for becoming our August 2022 Virtual Artist in Residence. The Virtual Artist in Residence Program is awarded monthly to the artist (or photographer) who has submitted 3 or more entries to the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest 2021 (or 2022) and has been selected by the Curatorial Committee as best interpreting the aims of the Contest.

Artist Statement

Seeing wildlife in their natural habitat makes me fall more in love with the continents that support them and appreciate the symbiotic relationships of everything. It takes me back to my spiritual belief that we are all one. Connecting with nature is profoundly moving, like visiting a part of my soul, I didn’t know was there. The landscape, the people, the animals, the culture, and the history, everything is so far removed from my everyday life. Africa makes me feel the rawness of life – it is so alive.

I love animals. I love nature. So that is what I paint. As an example, I was able to do six treks up to see the mountain gorillas; three in Uganda and three in Rwanda. The money goes to their preservation which includes studying, medical, and the protection of these magnificent creatures. I can’t wait to go back. It was the best experience I have ever had in my life.

Painting my critters (as I call them) is so much fun, and it is fun for me to give them personalities. My hope is that my paintings are a reminder of nature’s endless diversity and our interconnection with all creatures, big and small. And to remind people that it is our responsibility to help conserve the animals and nature for future generations to enjoy as much as I do.

Travel and painting are very important parts of my life. I have been fortunate to have lived in and experienced different cultures. I have lived in Turkey, Ecuador, and Peru. And have traveled extensively in South America, Africa, India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

I currently live, paint and enjoy life in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. I have so many images from my travels that inspire me every day to keep on painting! I love being in nature wherever I am. Nature and wildlife inspire me.

Cyndy Beardsley © 2022 Cyndy Beardsley. All Rights Reserved.

My studio is a cozy space in my loft overlooking my living room. The light is perfect with four, 4’ x 8’ skylights. It is not a huge space, but it is all I need. It is my Happy Place.

Why I Entered Endangered?

I entered the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest to help show people a small part of our amazing world. In my case, I hope my animal paintings, photographs and donations can help inspire and encourage others to look at what is around them. Even if you can’t make a trip to areas with endangered species, there is always the internet.

AWARENESS is huge. I would encourage you to ask yourself how you can help save our planet. Every little or big effort helps.

See more of Cyndy’s work by clicking on the link below:

Website: http://www.cyndybeardsley.com

View Cyndy’s work in the VAiR virtual gallery

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2022 Submissions

Mother and Child © 2022 Cyndy Beardsley. All Rights Reserved.

Henry 2022 © Cyndy Beardsley. All Rights Reserved.

Coming or Going © 2022 Cyndy Beardsley. All Rights Reserved.

See more of Cyndy’s work below:

Happy Hippo © 2022 Cyndy Beardsley. All Rights Reserved.

Hippos are one of the most aggressive and dangerous wild animals in the world. Their size, weight, and strong teeth attack and kill more than 500 people each year in Africa. I tried to make my hippo in this painting look like he was laughing – a little less intimidating.

Say Cheese © 2022 Cyndy Beardsley. All Rights Reserved.

I like my animals to look like they are having fun.

Sheba © 2022 Cyndy Beardsley. All Rights Reserved.

Another favorite of mine – the cheetah. They are so graceful and fast. We watched a group of five males go from tree to tree marking their territory.

The Bee Eaters © 2022 Cyndy Beardsley. All Rights Reserved.

Such beautiful birds. For reference, “As their name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat flying insects, especially bees and wasps, which are caught on the wing from an open perch. The insect's stinger is removed by repeatedly hitting and rubbing the insect on a hard surface. During this process, pressure is applied to the insect's body, thereby discharging most of the venom.” Wikipedia

The Centerfold © 2022 Cyndy Beardsley. All Rights Reserved.

One of my favorite animals, the leopard. They are so beautiful. This painting was inspired by one in particular who looked like he was posing for us.

Family Portrait © 2022 Cyndy Beardsley. All Rights Reserved.

This was a fun one to paint. I wanted them to look like a family posing.

The Staff Meeting © 2022 Cyndy Beardsley. All Rights Reserved.

The oxpeckers have a symbiotic relationship with the animals they are on; usually that have fur. Besides eating ticks and other parasites in the fur, they make a hissing call to warn the animal when potential danger approaches.

Wild Friends © 2022 Cyndy Beardsley. All Rights Reserved.

Ah, the elusive wild dogs. I was so excited to see them. In this case, our group had received notice of a pack nearby. We spent about an hour watching them after they had eaten. They regurgitate the food for the pups, then for other adults. And I love to watch them play!

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR VAiR PROGRAM

The Virtual Artist in Residence Program is awarded monthly to the artist and photographer who have submitted 3 or more entries to the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest and have been selected by the Curatorial Committee as best interpreting the aims of the Contest.

Questions? Lindsey@Art4Apes.com