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2007 Artists for Conservation
The Artists for Conservation Group (formally Worldwide Nature Artists Group) is an international non-profit professional association of artists dedicated to celebrating and preserving our natural heritage. Founded in 1997, the Foundation's strength lies in its membership and represents a who's-who of nature artists worldwide. AFC Flag Expedition program was created to make possible the field study and artistic rendering of endangered species or habitats deserving of greater public attention. Through this program, the Foundation offers "Flag Expedition Fellowships' to artists, supporting artistic field research in remote areas of our planet. AFC Signature members can apply to obtain financial support and the privilege of carrying the AFC (WNAG) flag on their journey. Following the success of its inaugural flag expedition into the jungles of Panama in early December 2005, AFC awarded two new fellowships. The 2nd grant provided $5000.00 U.S. to artist David Rankin,a renowned watercolourist. Kelly was blessed to be invited along for this expedition as the accompanying artist. The 3rd grant was awarded to Rob Mullen to paddle and paint a large portion of the George River (Quebec). One of Mullen's accompanying artists was Robert Bateman. The AFC continues to grant artists the opportunities to participate in expedition fellowships on a yearly basis. The Rankin expedition involved an artistic study of the Indian Himalayas and the Ganges headwaters region . The Expedition focused on the beauty and ecological complexity of the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas with an emphasis |
on documenting the ecological and conservation challenges facing the Ganges River system. The Rankin team consisted of David and Deanna Rankin, Ashleigh Devito and myself, Kelly Dodge. I really didn't know the Rankins at all when I was first invited to accompany them. God had a plan though (as he always does) and has blessed me with new friends and wonderful shared adventures. David and Deanna have a wonderful love and passion for India and its people. Deanna, God bless her, spent the entire road trip portion sitting in the back seat of the SUV ( or rather I should say BOUNCING in the back seat of the SUV) with Ashleigh so that I could have a window that rolled down for photographing from. Ashleigh was a great tentmate and someone who I will be proud to say . . . "I knew her back when" . . . she has a magnificent future ahead of her! Ashleigh was affectionately called "our Garmin Girl" by David for the duration of the journey as she took all our GPS readings at the various altititudes. And David, well what can I say about David????? His heart is huge and next to the largest portion of it that his wife Deanna occupies, the rest belongs to India. Aside from his obvious talent as an artist I will wait with great anticipation to see what magnificent body of work will emerge from his AFC Flag Expedition. I am sure that his unique perspective will provide prominent exposure for this part of the magnificent country of India that he loves so much. In the meantime , I too need to get busy on my own perspective of this expedition. I hope everyone out there will stay tuned to see what body of work I produce as well. I can't wait to see it myself.
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