An internationally acclaimed wildlife artist with a connection to Wingham has painted two artworks of the Manning River helmeted turtle which will be on show at Morpeth Art Gallery up to Sunday, March 21.
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James Hough, who lives in the Hunter region, created the artworks after visiting the Manning River turtle insurance population breeding facility at the Australian Reptile Park to study the adults and hatchlings and take reference photos.
Co-director of the Australian Reptile Park and president of Aussie Ark, Tim Faulkner was so taken with one of the paintings, titled Survivor, that he purchased it himself.
The second painting, By a Thread, depicting two hatchlings, is still for sale, though Morpeth Gallery owner Trevor Richards OAM expects it will be sold before the end of the weekend.
Australian Geographic has featured James's artworks in the last two Australian Geographic Wildlife Art Calendars (2020 and 2021), both of which sold out, and has again been commission to do artworks for the 2022 calendar.
"I thought for 2022 I might include a Manning River turtle, and some of the other species that have come to the forefront in the last few years because of the drought and fires," James said.
"It appears that the turtle in particular has been really popular (on social media). And I think because it's been in the news a lot, people are quite aware of a lot of these species now, and that one in particular."
James is also interested in the species because, he says, "It is sort of in my backyard, too."
"My mother still owns a property in Wingham. We've got 200 acres at Abbotts Falls Road. As a kid I went there all my life and fished in the river and saw platypus there in the river. The property has been in my family since the original grant. I go up to Wingham every few weeks. I love Wingham! Wingham's been my second home," he said.
James Hough was awarded the Medal of Excellence and Best in Show for two paintings in the 2018 Artists for Conservation Awards in Vancouver, Canada.
By a Thread is an original acrylic on clayboard and measures 40cm x 31cm, cost $2500. The full image of By a Thread can be viewed in the story online at www.manningrivertimes.com.au.
Morpeth Gallery is at 5 Green Street, Morpeth. Hours Thursday to Sunday 10am and 5pm.