While I often have a brush with the wild when painting, this weekend was truly with a capital “W” at Zoo Knoxville!
“Brush With the Wild,” a two-day painting event, was full of animal and guest interaction. Asked to paint an animal as a live entertainment sounded fun and challenging, but I was thrilled that Spencer, the blue macaw, was my subject!
- He is big, with a 4.5’ wingspan.
- He is noisy, with macaw hollers reaching decibel levels comparable to Neyland Stadium.
- And he is a beauty!
The days leading up to meeting him were spent mixing a variety of blue paint options—12 to 14 pigment piles from which to choose, settling only after he dropped a feather for scientific observation and artistic comparison.
It was a great day for a great cause. The paintings, completed by the onsite artists, were auctioned, raising funds for projects at Zoo Knoxville. With the success, we may forget that the zoo runs with a dedicated and knowledgeable staff, leadership, and visionaries with a few “wild” and uncontrollable factors.
The animals were enriched by the arts, while visitors were thrilled to see a baby lion and a baby gorilla. Some critters contributed art by spreading paint for auction pieces.
Several other macaws had plenty to say, heckling me as I painted.
Be sure to check out the other pieces on the zoo’s auction website: Auction – Brush with the Wild
Photographer Chris and painter Robin Rohwer each week share a painting or photograph that captured their interest in hopes that it will also capture yours. They have a small studio and gallery in the Phoenix Building at 418 South Gay Street, where you can stop and see their work. Their website is www.ChristopherRobinArts.com. All works are copyright-protected.
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