GAYLE FAULKNER

“Ihave termed my paintings Textural Impressionism and am very excited as I watch the acrylic paint come off the palette knife in various textures and combinations of color. Every painting is full of emotion and in-the-moment creativity.

I start with an idea and a very loose drawing, usually 5-6 lines of composition, and then become immersed in the process.

I have always said that a painting is like a child that you nurture, have conversations with, and work through the teenage angst with love and patience, and what emerges is a beautiful adult.

When I paint, I put on the music (louder than I would have let my children play it), dance to the beat, and even sing, which is a terrible sound. I want my joy to come across to the viewer, and I want them to share the beautiful place that I have created. All are invited to enter the painting, smell the flowers, listen to the rustle of the leaves, lean against a tree, and breathe.”

“When I hear about elephant populations plummeting even further as a result of the illegal ivory trade, rampant deforestation, our ocean creatures chocking in plastic pollution and fishing tackle, koalas losing mindboggling amounts of habitat in ferocious bushfires caused by climate change, the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of innocent pangolins to make shoes and handbags or even eaten as a delicacy, sun bears cruelly milked of their bile for ‘traditional’ medicine, or a defenseless baby chimp or orangutan ripped away from its mother sold as a pet -initially I feel so shocked. I shut down and even feel nauseous. I feel like these situations have gone so far that it is way out of my depth to do anything. It seems as though every majestic and beautiful species is now on the brink of extinction.

I take a breath and remind myself why I am a wildlife artist. In a world going through an environmental crisis, it is easy to stay angry and feel helpless. However, I realize I can turn anger into passion and helplessness into hope.

When someone views one of my wildlife portraits and connects with their eyes, I invite the viewer to become more curious and take a closer look; to learn more about them. Through each portrait, I aspire to show what is inherent in every animal on earth, what is beautiful and worth saving, and that these innocent beings are just as sentient as we are. With their soulful expressions, I can feel each of them is asking something from me; to connect, to listen. Through my art, I heed their call.

I deeply respect all the scientists, environmentalists, researchers, rangers, and wildlife carers who risk their lives to save wildlife and their habitats and go above and beyond to make a difference. I feel inspired to create and share my art because of them.

Humanity needs wildlife and balanced ecosystems for survival, but there’s something else. We need the all-encompassing, beautiful, loving essence of animals and nature that feeds our souls and gives us a reason to live. Animals teach us resilience and how to live in perfect harmony - more importantly, they show us how to connect, love unconditionally, and live in the present moment.

These are the values we can draw on to heal our planet. That is what I wholeheartedly hope my art evokes.”