The AFC Conservation Artist Award is awarded monthly to honour a member for outstanding artistic talent and extraordinary contribution to the conservation cause. At the end of each year, a prior recipient of the monthly honour is selected for the annual Simon Combes Conservation Award.

On Solid Rock We Stand

Zippity Doo Dah

Dodge is honoured to be one of the members of the Artists for Conservation Group whose art has been selected by independent jury to exhibit in "The Art of Conservation - An International Exhibition of Nature in Art". Artists for Conservation is a non-profit, international organization dedicated to the celebration and preservation of the natural world. Dodge will have two pastel paintings on display this September at the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum in New Jersey, one of the world's leading museums for nature and wildlife art. "On Solid Rock We Stand" is a painting of seven Himalayan Snow Pigeons inspired by her recent trip to the Himalayas of Northern India. In 2007 Dodge was the privileged accompanying artist on the Artists for Conservation flag expedition with David Rankin to the Ganges Himalayas for the purposes of artistic field research. The second painting, "Zippity Doo Dah", is a pastel portrait of a fledgling Eastern Bluebird. Dodge will be donating 25 % of the proceeds from the sale of her paintings to The Wildlife Conservation Society (WSC), based in New York City. WSC is this years annual conservation beneficiary partner for this inaugural exhibition.

For more details regarding dates and times and the names of other participating artists please visit the Artists for Conservation homepage at www.natureartists.com.

Virgo Setting

Date: Thursday, September 06, 2007 Location: Trentwinds International Centre Peterborough, Ontario Details: Ducks Unlimited Canada - Peterborough Chapter 25th Anniversary Dinner and Auction Celebration Kelly Dodge's orginal pastel painting, "Virgo Setting" will be auctioned off to raise funds for wetland conservation. "Virgo Setting" depicts the constellation Virgo as it appears in early September just prior to sinking below the western horizon for the winter. The painting has a retail value of $2200.00. In addition, Dodge's 2007 National Art Portfolio Print, "Twilight Constellations" will also be auctioned off to raise funds to conserve wetlands across Canada. Kelly is honoured to be the "Featured Artist of the Year" at the Peterborough Ducks Unlimited Chapter 25th Silver Anniversary Celebration.

Click photo to view the story and slide show of trip.

Kelly has recently returned from her adventures in the Himalayas! Kelly was the accompanying artist on the exclusive team of 3 people that accompanied American watercolour artist David Rankin on this month long expedition. Team members consisted of David Rankin AFC - Artist - USA, Deanna Rankin - USA, Ashleigh Devito - USA and Kelly Dodge AFC - Artist- Canada. To view video of the Artists for Conservation (formally WNAG) David Rankin Himalayan Flag Expedition click here. Stay tuned for Kelly's inspired paintings of the region's birds and landscapes.

"The Northern Cross"

Dodge's original pastel starscape, "The Northern Cross" is the honoured recipient of the 2007 People's Choice Award for the Lindsay Public Gallery's Annual Juried Art Show. Dodge's painting depicts the constellation Cygnus (the Swan) which more closely resembling the Christian Cross than a swan, is also known as The Northern Cross. This celestial bird flies down the Milky Way, its wings outstretched and its neck pointing south. In Dodge's piece, The Northern Cross is shown in the northeast as it appears in June and July between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Other constellations present include from top to bottom, Lyra, Vulpecula, Sagitta, Delphinus, Lacerta, Equuleus and a portion of Pegasus. (Click image on the left for a larger view.)

"This Is My Father's World"

Kelly made a guest appearance on 100 Huntley Street on Tuesday, January 16th, sharing the inspiration behind her artwork. 100 Huntley Street, the flag-ship television program of Crossroads, was the first daily Christian television program in Canada. 100 Huntley Street was launched in 1977 by Rev. David Mainse and continues to bring the message of Jesus Christ to millions of Canadians from coast to coast. Daily, the broadcast presents powerful personal stories, inspirational music, and relevent Bible teaching in an entertaining one-hour format. The show airs Monday - Friday on the Global Television Network and CTS (Crossroads Television System) from 9 - 10 a.m. and then is rebroadcast at 9 p.m. on CTS as well as across North America via Star Choice and Bell ExpressVu. The programs are also streamed through the www.crossroads.ca website, so viewership is literally worldwide. The segment focussed on Kelly's personal faith story, her God-given talent and ministry as an artist. Several of Kelly's paintings, inspired by traditional Christian Hymns such as "His Eye is on the Sparrow", "This is My Father's World" and "In the Garden" were showcased. Click on this link to watch the interview on line (program # 7719): http://www.crossroads.ca/100hs/2007janprog.htm

Kelly at the D.U.C. print signing. Assisting are National Art Print Portfolio Coordinator Penny Burns and fellow WNAG member and friend Lori Dunn.

Kelly Dodge is honoured to announce that her painting "Twilight Constellations" has been selected for inclusion in the 2007 National Art Program for Ducks Unlimited Canada. Selected from close to 700 entries Kelly will be one of 15 Portfolio Artists from across Canada who's work will raise funds to support Ducks Unlimited Canada Wetland Conservation programs, scientific research and public education initiatives. The 2007 National Art Portfolio prints of "Twilight Constellations" will be a signed and numbered edition of 2007 prints to commemorate the featured year of the image.

Reflecting the spirit and mission of D.U.C, "Twilight Constellations", from an original pastel painting, is an accurate rendering of the Southeastern vault of sky as seen in early August. The primary constellations shown rising are Aquarius, Capricornus and Sagittarius. Also, of primary focus is the rising full moon. Together they govern the night in the firmament of starry-heavens.

"Twilight Constellations" - Aquarius, Capricornus and Sagittarius

National Art Portfolio prints receive wide exposure throughout Canada. Portfolio prints are featured at more than 650 annual fundraising events, which were attended by around 84,000 people in 2006. Through the Sealed Bid Auction program, NAP prints are featured at approximately 2,200 businesses across the country. They are also featured in DUC event merchandise calendars, as well as being posted on DUC's website (www.ducks.ca) and sent to local media.

Wetland habitats are vital for both people and wildlife. They naturally filter water while providing habitat for hundreds of wildlife species. Despite this, as much as 70 per cent of wetlands have been lost in settled areas of Canada. Individuals can help stop wetland loss by supporting DUC and by purchasing one of the high quality lithographic prints. 100 per cent of the proceeds from "Twilight Constellations" goes to this vital cause. For purchase inquiries contact Kelly directly at 705 652 9310.

Click to download complete story in PDF format.

Worldwide Nature Artists Group and Canadian Artist Kelly Dodge are pleased to announce that she has accepted fellow artist David Rankin's invitation to join him on the WNAG Flag Expedition #2. Dodge is honoured to be travelling with David and Deanna Rankin and their team to the Indian Himalayas and the Ganges headwaters region. In what has been a whirlwind career as a professional artist who's first show was in 2001, Dodge has achieved much recognition internationally. In 2001 she was elected to signature membership with the WNAG. Soon after in 2003/2004 she received full signature membership with the Society of Animal Artists, the Pastel Society of America and the Pastel Society of Canada. Since the onset of her career five years ago Dodge is perhaps best known for her ongoing focus on birds combined with inspirational traditional hymns. The past three years she has garnered much popularity for her second ongoing series, pastel paintings portraying breathtaking views of the Northern hemisphere constellations. Dodge had the opportunity in June 2005 to travel with fellow WNAG and SAA signature member and friend Patricia Pepin and organizing artist Larry Seymour to Kenya. Here she was able to explore the Southern Hemisphere constellations and bird life.

Dodge is thrilled now to have the opportunity to study the myriad bird species in the Indian Himalayas as well as exploring the night sky vistas and constellations of the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas. Dodge will truly be "expanding her horizons" in this remote part of the world and will continue to faithfully represent her perspective of creation as she supports David Rankin's mission on the WNAG Flag Expedition #2. (www.davidrankinwatercolours.com)

Upcoming Solo exhibition by Canadian Artist Kelly Dodge at the Lindsay Public Gallery integrates "Art Appreciation" Seminars and Workshops for Elementary and Secondary school students. The Lindsay Gallery, through the assistance of the Ontario Arts Council, has developed a program of visual arts education opportunities for secondary and elementary school students that will take place outside the classroom, but within the regular school day, and following the guidelines of the Ontario curriculum. The purpose of this art education program is to provide and encourage access to a public gallery, and develop awareness of the role a public gallery and professional artists play in our community by bringing students of all grade levels into a exhibition venue to interact with the exhibiting artist. It will also explore creativity through workshops integrated with the exhibit. When a child is introduced to the accessibility of the visual arts, and encouraged to participate, he/she is more likely to explore avenues for creative expression independently, and will employ artistic expression more freely in their regular classroom activities.

This program will enable students to meet artist Kelly Dodge during her exhibit. Dodge will conduct the "art appreciation" component, followed with a two hour hands on workshop downstairs with another instructor, followed again with another visit upstairs in the gallery to discuss what they have created or learned and how it relates to the exhibit. Dodge's exhibit "All Things Bright and Beautiful" runs from April 1 to May 2. Opening reception, Friday, March 31, 7 - 9 p.m.

(Neil Boughen - freelance photographer)

To book a workshop, please call Sandy Code, Administrator, The Lindsay Gallery, 705 324 1780 or visit www.thelindsaygallery.com.

June 2005 saw WNAG members, Canadian artists and Society of Animal Artists signature members Kelly Dodge and Patricia Pepin (centre) exploring Kenya with family and friends. Pictured here at Lake Nakuru National Park, their adventures also took them on safari to the Samburu Game Reserve, the Aberdares National Park and the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Thanks go to fellow artist and travelling companion Larry Seymour from South Carolina for organizing the trip and for extending the invitation while exhibiting at the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition last year.

Lakefield, Ontario artist Kelly Dodge was recently juried into the Society of Animal Artists (SAA) as a signature member. The Society of Animal Artists is an association of animal and wildlife painters and sculptors. Founded in l960, the Society is devoted to promoting excellence in the portrayal of the creatures sharing our planet, and to the education of the public through informative art seminars, lectures and teaching demonstrations. Some of the finest animal artists from the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, Japan and Australia are represented in the Society's membership. Over the past 40 years the work created by these artists has established new standards of artistic excellence and respect, helping animal and wildlife art to achieve a place of honour in the field of fine art.

Kelly Dodge is proud to be informed that the PSC Council has elected her as a Signature Member of the distinguished Pastel Society of Canada. The Pastel Society of Canada is the only National Society for Canada's pastel artists. It is devoted to the use of traditional pastel as a fine art medium. Organized under Federal Charter which was granted to a group of professional artists and associates of the arts, the Society is now regarded as a strong voice for Canadian Art.

World Wide Nature Artists Group member Kelly Dodge is pleased to announce her recent elected admittance to the Pastel Society of America as a signature member. The Pastel Society of America was founded in 1972 and is the oldest pastel society in existence in America. PSA is a model for standards of excellence well recognized by the art community worldwide.