Geraldine Simmons

Geraldine Simmons AFC Artists for Conservation b. 1959 Hampstead, England. During my travels in 2005 with Friends of the National Parks Foundation in the deep jungles of Borneo, the eyes of the orangutans and the exquisite beauty of native Indonesian wildlife struck me. That was the catalyst for my mission to raise funds and awareness for endangered wildlife. At the time, I had the exciting opportunity to visit the rehabilitation centre for orangutans. I remember how heavy and steamy the air was as I walked toward one of the enclosures. The heaviness eased when my eyes met the most loving, big brown eyes I had ever seen. These eyes captivated me. The love shining from her eyes will stay with me forever – the key to unlocking the personality and sentience that I burn to express through each of my works. Before I start, I take a moment to connect with the animals and imagine being in their world; to listen to them so I can tell their story. I take my time to perfect each mark I make with utmost care. That is my way of honouring and respecting them at the deepest level of my being. It’s a slow and deliberate process that unfolds one stroke at a time in either mixed media or scratchboard. Through each portrait, I aspire to show what is inherent in every animal on earth, what is beautiful and worth saving, to show that these innocent beings are just as sentient as we are. 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 to save them. 10% of proceeds from the sale of all artworks and limited editions go to wildlife conservation.
Finalist Northern Beaches Gallery Art Prize 2023
Website: geraldineswildlifeart.com
Instagram: geraldine_simmons_artist
Facebook: facebook.com/GeraldinesWildlifeArt
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/geraldinesimmons
Email: geri@geraldineswilldlifeart.com