Kangaroo Island - South Australia 

Pastel on Pastel mat paper  _ Fully framed 

 Image size 46 X 30cm

Sometimes I wonder why certain things happen and why others do not. Nature is a constant state of flux so can be quite puzzling but when we factor in the effect, we humans can have on our surroundings, I am stung by the apparent lack of awareness and the absence of concern shown by so many people. When it comes to this delicate biosphere, we all call home.... all species inextricably intertwined and interdependent, the collective silence is puzzling. A little talked about effect of evolution states that species who co-operate with other species survive but those which try to dominate do not survive long term. Australian sealions are to my mind the most beautiful and lovable of all the seal species on the planet. They are truly friendly, intelligent and harmless creatures. Yet their numbers continue to decline. And apart from a very few dedicated scientists, nothing much is really being done to understand the complex impacts we humans have on their aquatic habitat. As a result, they are not only the most beautiful.... they are also (maybe less than 7,000 for the whole of Australia) the rarest sealion on the planet. I have been working in the field with wild Australian sealions for 40 years now in an effort to raise awareness of this looming disaster. I simply cannot understand why so few people appear to care.' This little pup is just a few weeks old and has been hidden away in the rocks while his mum is out at sea fishing for a couple of days. When she returns her soft barking call will bring this little guy tumbling out of his hideaway and onto the beach where his high-pitched and excited wailing will join with her calls as they bump noses and the pup commences to feed as mum settles into the warm sand. If you would help these gorgeous beings, you can support them through the Australian Marine Conservation Society. I hope my paintings of Aussie sealions bring awareness and the will to help AMCS's marvellous conservation efforts. www.marineconservation.org.au