I first started this painting “Save the Moon bears” about a year ago because a dear friend, Joanna Polities was actively involved in the charity Animals Asia.

She has been the South Australian voice for these bears and raised a lot of money for them through various functions and fundraisers that she has organized over several years.  In any case I put the painting aside when I was half way through as I had some urgent artworks that needed delivery.

So there I was sitting in my studio working away on various projects whilst I listen to the radio as I always do (usually an ABC channel with current affairs and news of the day, magazine style you could say) when Simon Bryant a well know chef, who up until recently had his own cooking program on TV starts talking about his passion for the moon bears and I am yet again reminded of the half finished painting.

So again I am back painting some more on it until another deadline looms.  Sometimes this is how the paintings evolve with other more urgent artworks coming in between, and as my work is so detailed it does take quite a long time to do each piece.

ARTWORKS AUCTION

To cut a long story short, the painting was auctioned at a major fundraiser at Adelaide Zoo July 2010, together with many other donated items.    The crowd fell silent when Jo and her husband Richard took to the stage to announce that the total amount raised from the event was $125,000 and every penny of that would go to the Moon Bear Rescue. An amazing result and the highest ever raised for Animals Asia in Australia from one single event.

The invite is below and if there are some people that would like to donate just call 1800 666 004 or go to the Animals Asia website.

I cannot bare to even write about how these gorgeous bears suffer other than to say it is barbaric and atrocious to say the least and it makes me so totally depressed, so instead if you are not across the details of their plight please look up Animals Asia (the link will take you there) and see their  website and get ofay with their terrible situation so we can all band together and stop this cruelty.

Here are some wise words from Henri Frederic Amiel (writer) about grace under pressure.

“It is dangerous to abandon one’s self to the luxury of grief; it deprives one of courage and even of the wish for recovery”

Till next time, happy painting and sculpting everyone!

Love Marie xx                                                                                    (c)

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.