Drawing, painting and sculpting animals have always been a subject for artists throughout history, from the earliest cave paintings, Egyptian artist’s depictions of gods with animal heads, medieval manuscripts with mystical beasts and 19th-century Victorian artists creating paintings of their domestic pets.

 

During what scientists are calling the Anthropause, the unprecedented global slow down of human activity during the pandemic, animals from the seas, roaming the land and flying above experienced an altogether mixed bag as well. For those of us sheltering in place, the birds were not anymore in surplus singing their songs, we just slowed down as humans, drove less, and found ourselves listening to the birdcalls as if we had not ever heard their melodies before.

 

Globally, things shifted and changed, adoptions for dogs and cats skyrocketed, wildlife conservation projects paused, habitats for animals changed and for many of us, we observed and connected to furry, finny and feathery creatures more than ever before.

 

Artists Cathie Bleck,  Derek Brennan, Kathleen Browne, Katie Butler,  Cheryl Cochran  Lee Heinen, Michael High, Liz Maugans, Dinara Mirtalipova, Kortney K Niewierski, Gerry Shamray,   Yvonne Palkowitsh, James Ruby, Tyler Zeleny, and Kim Chapman explore the insights and phenomena, from companionship, love, and respect for the other living things flying, swimming and walking around us.