I am really excited to send my submissions for the 2018 Sketch for Survival Silent Auction. Because this year they are taking the collection on a UK tour in October and November to generate as much publicity and exposure as possible. This will include the prestigious Gallery at The Oxo Tower on the South Bank in London and 3 days in New York. 

Sketch for Survival is part of Explorers Against Extinction and last year the Silent Auction raised almost £40,000. This enabled them to donate money to Rhino Conservation Botswana and the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. This year they have included Giraffe Conservation Fund among others. Charities very close to my heart.

My A4 graphite pencil sketches 

Ian Southern White Rhino and A Young Southern African Giraffe

I chose to submit my Baby Rhino sketch as I wanted to support the conservation of Rhinos in Africa. Ian, a Southern White Rhino who was just 2 months old when I saw and photographed him in May 2015 at the Cotswold Wildlife Park . He was such a delight to watch as he scampered and played in the paddock and then flopped down on the grass completely exhausted from his exertions.

My second sketch was a no brainer as I love giraffes and wanted to support the Giraffe Conservation Fund with whom my daughter has a very close association. Fiona gave me permission to use her photograph of a young Southern African Giraffe calf she had photographed in Kruger’s National Park South Africa.