Blog
7/7/2019 4:07:19 PM
WATCH THE VIDEO!
The PUXA exhibition held at Studio C Gallery in El Cajon featuring photographs by Peter and Kenda Francis was a HUGE success. This was the first photo exhibit of its kind for Peter and Kenda and the result was remarkable. 42 photographs exhibiting animals and landscapes of the Pantanal of Brasil sharply defined the classy space of the gallery and resulted in wonderful conversations and appreciation of the world's beautiful creatures. It was an honor to represent this magical place, the Pantanal, with our best captured photographs and heart felt stories.
In a generous gesture, the first edition enlargements were donated by George's Camera of North Park, allowing 60% of sales to be donated to Lions Tigers and Bears of Alpine California. This resulted in an astounding $950 raised for Lions Tigers and Bears which will be hand delivered to Bobbi (founder and director) next week.
Watch the video!
7/6/2019 6:03:06 PM
This is why I came to Kenya - to visit the Ol Pejeta Conservancy - to see that people were working hard to help rhinos, one of my very favorite animals.
As the second electric gate closed, and we were driven closer to the three gray forms ahead, I was afraid for my heart. I was afraid I would crumble from the weight of the sight before me - the two last living female northern white rhinos, Najin and Fatu and their friend, a Southern White Rhino female.
But I didn't crumble - I embraced this moment, the beauty, the strength and the effort of the people surrounding these girls to protect them. Men and women dedicated their own lives to protect those of these girls that were transported in 2009 from a Czech Republic Zoo as the last hope for the species. Read this story at Flora & Fauna International and you will see how long and how hard people have worked. Although the two last females are not eligible for breeding, they at least will spend the rest of their lives in comfort and on their native African soil, where they truly belong. Armed guards, working dogs, miles of surveillance and fencing help keep them safe from the hands of poachers and I am utterly grateful.
After our encounter of visiting with the rhinos - I gave one of my paintings to the keeper Jeremy. He was dedicated and his love for the rhinos was present and precious. This exchange meant so much to me, perhaps Jeremy doesn't know, perhaps he does. It was all I could do.
7/6/2019 6:00:59 PM
This month, I traveled to Kenya with some very special gifts. I created 5x5" paintings of rhinos to deliver to key people in Kenya.
I was nervous about this idea. Would I find the right people to give them to? Would they like to receive these gifts? I really wouldn't know these people - yet I had to do it. I feel I took a great risk and I am proud to tell you how three stories unfolded.....
Painting #1 - Peter and I visited the David Sheldrick's Wildlife Trust on our very first day in Kenya. We had adopted an elephant and a rhino, so we were allowed to come to the late afternoon event. This entailed waiting along the edge of a dirt trail for the baby elephant orphans to come from the forest, to greet their keepers in their enclosures. This was a BEAUTIFUL yet heart wrenching event. To see these amazing babies shuffle right past you - inches away - on their way to their keepers - made me feel so excited and filled with love. Yet every single one of these elephants had a tragic story. Most of these elephants were orphaned due to poaching, their mothers were killed for their ivory tusks. Some mothers were killed in human/elephant conflict and a few of these orphans were a result of injury, or rejection. DSWT has been helping the health of orphans and rehabilitating and reintroducing elephants and rhinos to the wild for over 30 years! They are a remarkable organization - one worthwhile of your donations.
So as each elephant went to greet their keepers, they all went to their designated enclosures to enjoy bottles of milk and branches of their favorite leaves. We were then able to see the elephants close -up and speak to their care givers. This sounds like a glamorous job, to be a caregiver of a tiny elephant, but this is no easy task. The keepers sleep with the elephants, in bunks above the elephants' stall. They must feed the elephants milk every three hours over night, so these men NEVER get a full night's sleep! And the elephants can reach their keepers with their trunk - so often they are awakened by the elephants - nudges and snorts and farts.
We were moved by the dedication of these men. Some had been there for 8 to 10 years, and could proudly say they had helped the elephant population personally. As time was running out, we spoke to one man that had brilliant eyes and a cheery attitude. He was proud to talk about his experiences and his elephants and I realized he should have one of my paintings. He promised to keep it in his bunk above the elephant, but to keep it away from her, and he seemed grateful for the tiny acknowledgement of his dedication that I could give him.
I left feeling very complete.
7/6/2019 5:56:06 PM
This trip was all about pushing my comfort - not only visiting orphanages, and visiting the last two remaining northern white rhinos, but also about making connections with animal advocates and artists.
Through Instagram, I met a young Kenyan man that created art works to raise awareness and inspire others to save his valuable local wildlife. His works include dioramas of animals, most poetically, Sudan, the last remaining male Northern White Rhino that died last year. He donates his work to Ol Pejeta Conservancy to benefit research and protection of white and black rhinos of Africa.
Kennedy and I met and instantly hit it off. We had similar goals with our work even though our work and artistic avenues differed. It was so heart warming to know that this young artist was dedicating his life and work to speak for animals. This is exactly the connection I was looking for. I was inspired by his hopeful outlook, he will not accept defeat, and I needed to hear that from the front lines.
I gave Kennedy one of my paintings, he seemed happy to have a small token of my gratitude. I hope we can work together in the future, to celebrate the positive movement in rhino conservation and to unite our love of animals across the globe.
Thank you Kennedy (Insta: artfamcdk)
7/1/2019 1:28:41 PM
What a treat to deliver "Golden Juma with Monarchs" to Stacie last month. It was a thrill to see Stacie's face light up with happiness and pride as I handed her the painting. Stacie first saw "Golden Juma with Monarchs" at the "Wildlife in Art" Exhibition last November, and fell in love with it right away. This painting won a special award at that exhibition and "People's Choice Award" from Squid Ink Art Gallery's "Call of the Wild" online art exhibition.
Thank you Stacie, for your continued support of my work and I am so happy to know Juma has an honorable place in your home.
Kenda Francis
