Creston painter Guy Hobbs has had two paintings accepted for showing in the prestigious annual Wildlife Artist of the Year Exhibition in London later this month.
The exhibition and sale, in which the wildlife artist of the year is named, is one of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s major fundraisers.
David Shepherd?
“He is the Robert Bateman of Europe, I think it is fair to say,” said Hobbs. “Certainly one of the world’s best known wildlife painters. Like Bateman, David Shepherd is committed to wildlife and environmental issues.”
About 100 art pieces from around the world were selected in nine categories for the exhibition in London. It seems remarkable that an artist from the Creston Valley who is still relatively new to the art world has had not one, but two, paintings accepted.
“It’s been a pretty good year so far, I would have to say,” Hobbs smiled.
He modestly failed to mention that in 2014 he was named the BC Wildlife Federation artist of the year and that his Winter Wolf painting was one of 15 art works selected from more than 3,000 entries to the Ducks Unlimited Canada’s roster of artists. Make that two good years and counting for an artist who works primarily with acrylic paints and coloured pencils.
The paintings, Bath Interrupted (grizzly bear) and Fashion Victim (Amur leopard), were shipped to London in May.
Hobbs’ good news for 2015 continued when he learned his triptych of three wolves, Company of Wolves, and Stars…, a brilliant portrait of a Grevy’s zebra, were chosen to be part of the 2015 Artists for Conservation Festival in Vancouver this September.
The three-week art and environmental education happening that features world-class conservation themed art, live music, films, lectures, workshops and live paintings will take place in two locations. From Sept. 10-12, the art expo will be set in Vancouver’s Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. Grouse Mountain will host the event from Sept. 19-30.