"Rory" the endangered Australian Sea Lion

"Rory" is a pastel wildlife portrait of an endangered Australian Sea Lion. These sea lions are endemic to Australia, and spend long periods at sea foraging, and breed on the islands around the WA and SA coasts. Their breeding cycle is remarkable, in that the only reproduce every 18 months, and even then, females only give birth to one pup every 2-3 years (usually on the same which on which they were born).

These sea lions are endangered, because their population has decreased by 60% in the last forty years. Their biggest threat are Gillnets, which are used by commercial fisheries to catch sharks (aka flake). Gillnets are practically invisible and because the Government allows this type of fishing in areas where sea lion colonies happen to forage, they easily trap and kill them as well.

For more information and how you may be able to help protect these special creatures, check out the Australian Marine Conservation Society website.

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Nyree is a local Canberra artist who finds inspiration in the natural environment, with flowers and wildlife prominent in her work. She enjoys using a variety of mediums and techniques to bring her subjects to life: predominantly using pan-pastels, acrylics and textural mixed-media.

Nyree believes that art can play a valuable role in promoting nature conservation and hopes that her work can contribute to this cause, which is close to her heart. To this end, she is currently working on an extensive series of Australian Wildlife Portraits, particularly focusing on endangered animals. She also enjoys the challenge of commissioned pet-portraits, working closely with people who wish to have a special artwork created to capture the unique personalities of their furry companions.

Nyree is a member of the Artists Society of Canberra and the Queanbeyan Art Society. She frequently exhibits in Canberra and at the monthly QAS exhibitions, at which she has been awarded the following prizes:

• 2nd Prize, Acrylics, Queanbeyan Leagues Club Exhibition, 2014, for “Banksia Serrata”.
• 1st Prize, Animal Portraiture, “Drawings, Portraits and Miniatures” Exhibition, 2014, for “Chevy”.
• 1st Prize, Pastels, Queanbeyan City Council Exhibition, 2015, for “Mr. Charming the Meerkat”.
• 1st Prize, Pastels, Queanbeyan Leagues Club Exhibition, 2016, for “Twinkle-Toes the Brushtail Possum”.
• 2nd Prize, Pastels, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Exhibition, 2016, for “Ambrose the Platypus”.
• 1st Prize, Animal Portraiture, “Drawings, Portraits and Miniatures” Exhibition, 2017, for “Dot the Eastern Quoll”.
• 1st Prize, Pastels, “Splash of Milk Art Award”, 2017, for “Billy” the Bilby.
• 2nd Prize, Mixed Media, Queanbeyan Leagues Club Exhibition, 2018, for “Strelizia Paradise”.
• 1st Prize, Pastels, Queanbeyan Leagues Club Exhibition, 2019, for “Bam Bam the Gentoo Penguin”.

Website: https://creativenature.art