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Heres my first newsletter to give you a background to my live
Newsletter 1. Nov 2005
Hello I?m Joel Kirk and I would like to give you an insight to my
artistic life, thus far.
My interest in art started at a very early age. Much to the annoyance
of my parents, like most children wall drawing was a favorite past
time of mine. My bedroom walls became my first canvas, like early
caveman I would depict life as I saw it. Then one day, a grown up,
my father or mother I cannot remember which, bought me a drawing
pad and pencil, probably thinking this would be cheaper than wallpaper.
In the 50's unlike today, television was a rare thing, radio
or should I say wireless was the entertainment it allowed your
mind to create images. One program that sticks vividly In my
mind was the story about the life of Jim Corbett, hunter conservationist,
a man who hunted down man-eating tigers, this was exciting stuff
to a young lad, images of someone stalking a dangerous animal
through the jungle in some far off land. This early radio (wireless)
program kicked off my interest in wildlife and stories about
big game hunters. The Temple Tiger, and More Man hunters of
Kumaun by Jim Corbett became my favorite book; I have read it
many times.
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Jim
Corbett, the hunter turned conservationist |
Lions Joel Kirk, Virginia McKenna
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In the 60's a film was to have a great impact on my drawing
and painting of wildlife, the film was Born Free the true story
about a lioness called Elsa, raised from a cub by George and
Joy Adamson. It was with great pleasure in the late 80's I met
the two stars of the film, Virgina Mckenna and Bill Travers,
while being involved with the Born
Free Foundation a limited edition print of lions, Virgina
Mckenna kindly counter signed the edition.
My art has bought me in contact with wildlife conservation groups
such as The Dian Fossey Gorilla fund and The World Society for
the protection of wildlife, helping to raise funds for animal
welfare and the protection of habitat.
Amy |
Tiger Swimming |
But my latest excursion into fund raising
has nothing to do with helping wildlife, although my painting
is an animal subject, it is to help raise money for a new
£33,000 capsule endoscopy service for the local hospital. |
Over the last two years I have been involved in stamp design
for the Guernsey post, the stamps all depict endangered species,
Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey, the basking shark, The latest one
I am working on is endangered species of the Florida Everglades,
I find this work most interesting because of the mix of art
and design, its nice to take a break from big canvases and
get the small brushes out. The added bonus is that as the
Queen's head appears on the stamps the designs have to receive
Royal approval prior to production (I hope she likes them).
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Although I am known as a wildlife artist, I do enjoy painting other
subject, such as landscape and seascape in fact any subjects that
will expand the portfolio and my mind. I must admit to struggling
with portraits, but I like a challenge. In the past I have been
involved in painting the military. One of these paintings gave me
an insight to the working of the royal marines based in Poole Dorset;
the painting still hangs in the sergeants? mess.
Well thank you for taking the time getting to know something of
my life thus far speak to you soon.
Regards
Joel. joelkirk.com
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