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"Barrow"
20 x 16"
Acrylic on Cradled Board, 2017
Osprey on Termite Mound
Collection of John & Diane Watson
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The photograph that was the basis for this painting was taken by Diane Watson in September of 2016 on
Barrow Island, Australia. While I rarely paint from anything but my own photo reference, I made an exception in this case because I have observed and even painted Osprey on many occasions already. The photograph, taken at a very long distance, was not very sharp and needed a lot of finesse and reconstruction. Had it been a subject matter unknown to me, I would not have had the confidence to attempt such a reconstruction, but fortunately I had plenty of Osprey reference of my own. And of course, a trip to the very isolated Barrow Island was not in the cards, so my only decision was whether to work with what I had or pass on the commission altogether, which I was loath to do, especially since it was for long-time collectors and friends.
The Osprey, seen here eating a Gold-Spotted Trevally fish while perched atop a termite mound, is just one example of the diverse and incredible wildlife on Barrow Island. It’s no wonder that Chevron has devoted so many resources to protecting and preserving this unique habitat. Diane and all visitors to the island have to go through multilevel decontamination protocols just to ensure that no foreign species or contaminant, no matter how small, ever has the opportunity to alter the ecosystem. Barrow is actually a great example of how stringent conservation management can allow for industry and environment to coexist, how large corporations, often accused of running roughshod over the environment, can and do take significant steps to mitigate their impact.
Diane took the photograph at the end of the airport runway just as the members of the Chevron Board of Directors were getting ready to leave Barrow Island after their tour. It is a fitting tribute to her husband, John Watson, as he prepares to take flight into a well-deserved retirement after 37 years with the Chevron Corporation.
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Welcome to the online home for artwork by Andrew Denman, a California –based, internationally recognized, award-winning contemporary wildlife artist. Denman primarily paints wildlife and animal subjects in a unique, hallmark style combining hyper-realism with stylization and abstraction. His dynamic and original acrylic paintings can be found in museum collections on two continents and in numerous private collections in the USA and abroad. His clear voice, unique vision, and commitment to constant artistic experimentation have positioned him on the forefront of an artistic vanguard of the best contemporary wildlife and animal painters working today.
All artwork and text featured on this page and throughout this website is protected by international copyright laws. Use of these images or text is prohibited without the express written permission of Andrew Denman.
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