Slain Gorilla Portrait to be Donated by Artist
Portrait of Harambe will be Donated to Cincinnati Zoo
Read how this artist was inspired by the gorilla recently killed by officials:
Artist Deb Minnard began painting early in her life. Despite these early beginnings as a painter, in her professional life she worked in photography. Like many people, her life was busy and work consumed her, so she didn’t paint any longer. But she always dreamed she would return to her first love of the brush.
She thought that dream was lost when a medical condition resulted in a tic in her hand. Fortunately she learned how to paint digitally, by actually combining her skills as a photographer, a painter and the new technology. This allows her to create, and correct her work as she goes–giving her the flexibility to work around her disability while maintaining her quality at a level she demands.
“If my hand tics, all I do with digital painting is undo that stroke and keep going.”
While visiting the Cincinnati Zoo she found herself in awe of, and inspired by Harambe and painted the gorilla’s portrait.
You may better know Harambe as the 17 year-old gorilla who has been in the headlines recently for being shot in order to protect a child who had entered the gorilla’s enclosure.
Minnard spoke about her experince with the male gorilla years earlier:
“I was most impressed by Harambe,” she said. “He’s impressive. He’s obviously strong and huge, very dignified. He was obviously standing guard to protect his family.”
Minnard has printed a 16×20 inch version of the slain gorilla portrait. Her plan is to give it to the Zoo in memory of the animal who moved her so strongly.
The story of the gorilla and the boy has swept the internet lately, with people ready to place blame on just about all sides. Fortunately, the child was not seriously hurt physically. Sadly, zoo officials felt they had no option but to shoot Harambe. The gorilla enclosure has already reopened, with additional safety measures to ensure there is not a repeat performance.
Read more about the artist and her plans in the original article by Cameron Knight on Cincinnati.com
Be sure to visit the artist’s website for more of her work.
