9 FEB 2020 CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE

Blue House Laguna Beach 
Californian Wildlife Biro Drawing Workshop 
9 February 2020

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

This workshop was held by Jane, to provide local residents of Laguna Beach, California with the opportunity to participate in her art and environmental education project Where Did All the Animals Go? in partnership with international wildlife charity Born Free. Four children and one adult attended the workshop, creating amazing drawings of Californian species.

Jane delivering workshop to young artists

Jane's presentation for this workshop explored the enormous variety of species, from coast to mountains to desert, that inhabit California. While the third largest U.S. state is brimming with endemic and iconic species, there are 321 federally listed endangered species. This workshop highlighted ways to combat the bio-diversity crisis:

  • LOOK AFTER YOUR OWN BACK YARD! Looking after local environments can help biodiversity flourish, no matter where we live. Plant pollinator-friendly plants from seed in gardens, pots and window boxes. If you don’t have a garden, volunteer for community urban or woodland planting schemes or beach clean-ups. Our gardens, parks and wild spaces can become a network of nature reserves. STOP using pesticides, nature will look after itself with birds and other insects eating greenfly on your roses! Embrace endemic weeds as the wildflowers they are and let them grow
  • REDUCE CONSUMPTION: CHOOSE products that are sustainably and ethically sourced. RECYLCLE; EAT less meat; TAKE less car journeys; USE less water & power
  • TELL others about climate emergency and biodiversity crisis – WORD OF MOUTH is key
  • CONTACT your local Senator and voice your concerns about the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis
  • DONATE to or RAISE funds for conservation organisations to help them help wildlife

One of the most endangered species in California is the gray wolf and the presentation included information about the famous wolf known as OR-7 who journeyed from Oregon to California in 2011. Sadly since this workshop OR-7's daughter OR-54 was killed. Read more here:

www.cbsnews.com/news/or-54-endangered-gray-wolf-that-wandered-8712-miles-found-dead-in-california/

 Slide from presentation with information about gray wolves in California

Discussing the phenomenal journey and presence in California of OR-7 during Jane's presentation also reflected the work of the Wolf Conservation Center, New York who she has supported since 2012, producing fundraising artwork:

   American Dream 2014 colour Biro drawing, Jane Lee McCracken for Wolf Conservation Center

DRAWING SELECTION 
For this workshop Jane selected endangered, endemic or iconic Californian species for attendees to draw. Species included:

Gray Wolf:

Conservation Status CA: EN
Population CA: 7-10
Mountain Lion:
Global Conservation Status:LEAST CONCERN
Population CA: 4,000 - 6,000
Canada Lynx:
Conservation Status CA: VU 
Population CA: UNKNOWN
Tule Elk:
ENDEMIC SPECIES 
Conservation Status CA: UNTHREATENED
Population CA: 4,000
Desert Tortoise:  
Conservation Status CA: VU
Population USA & Mexico: 100,000
Island Fox
ENDEMIC SPECIES
Conservation Status CA: EN
Population: approx. 6,000 across six Channel Island subspecies

California Sea Lion
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN
Global population: 387,646
California Condor
ENDEMIC SPECIES
Conservation Status CA: EN
Population: 488
Ohlone Tiger Beetle
ENDEMIC SPECIES
Conservation Status: EN
Population: UNKNOWN

Southern Sea Otter
Conservation Status: EN
Population CA: 3,000
California Tiger Salamander
ENDEMIC SPECIES
Conservation Status: EN
Population: approx. 10,000
Rosie beginning her final drawing
The exceptional ballpoint pen drawings produced in this workshop displayed a natural enthusiasm and appreciation for art and animals, that  many people share.
Joey working on her drawing of Adelaide
Nina began an outstanding work in progress of a Black Bear, demonstrating an excellent awareness of proportions, sensitive rendering of the bear's coat and a natural ability to draw. Jane is very much looking forward to seeing Nina's finished drawing.
Nina, age 14 with her black bear drawing in progress

Rosie created a phenomenal drawing of a Mountain Lion's face with considerable 'wall power'. Her drawing highlights perfectly the hypnotic eyes of pumas, while her expressive drawing style adds freedom and energy to the drawing.
Rosie, age 10 with her Mountain Lion drawing
Joey chose to do something unique and brought a photo of her gorgeous dog Adelaide, to draw at the workshop. Having met Adelaide, Jane was astonished at just how successfully Joey captured this small dog's huge personality through her brilliant and expressive portrait! 
Joey, age 10 with her drawing of Adelaide
Riggs, Joey's brother, made an extraordinary drawing of a Great White Shark, exhibiting the prowess and power of this ancient and often misunderstood marine creature, through his excellent draftsmanship.
 
Riggs, age 8 with his Great White Shark drawing
Alec created two marvellous drawings during the workshop. His sensational Black Bear, not only demonstrates Alec's ability to capture the proportions and features of black bears, this expressive artwork also symbolises the spirit of California, a sunshine state of great natural beauty. Alec's second drawing of a vivid Ana Hummingbird, again executed in his unique energetic style, portrays the vitality possessed by these miraculous little birds. 
Alec, age 8 with his Black Bear drawing
John, Nina and Rosie's Dad, commenced his remarkable portrait of a Californian Condor fearlessly, and demonstrated his natural talent for drawing. Brilliantly proportioned, John's drawing also captures the spikey nature of this iconic and endangered bird's feathers. 
Forefront: Riggs working on his Great White Shark; background: John Rogers drawing a California Condor
Drawings created by this talented group can be seen below:
Black Bear 2020 colour Biro drawing, Nina Rogers
Mountain Lion 2020 colour Biro drawing, Rosie Rogers
Adelaide 2020 colour Biro drawing, Joey
Great White Shark 2020 Biro drawing, Riggs
Black Bear 2020 colour Biro drawing, Alec
Ana Hummingbird 2020 colour Biro drawing, Alec
California Hummingbird 2020 colour Biro drawing, John Rogers
Jane would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all attending artists and workshop hosts John and Kirsten Rogers, for supporting her Where Did All the Animals Go? project and providing more people with the opportunity of learning about vulnerable species and transporting their minds through drawing.
Nina working on her black bear drawing