Throughout the month of August, George Billis Gallery in New York City will present new wildlife works from India-based painter Sushma Jain, who has devoted her life and work to the care of and compassion for animals. “Humankind must learn to understand that the life of an animal is in no way less precious than our own,” she says. “Wildlife in the world can only be protected by the love of compassionate hearts in the world.”
Morning Shadows, oil on canvas, 30½ x 48"
The show will feature a number of new wildlife pieces, including birds, zebras and some of her favorite subjects, big cats. Many of the images are inspired by observations she makes in preparation for her artwork. “My paintings are majorly inspired by my personal sightings and observations. I am very passionate about wildlife and hardly a year goes by when I don’t visit a wildlife sanctuary. Visuals from these travels are etched in my memory,” Jain says. “India has some beautiful national parks like Ranthambore, Corbett, Bandhavgarh, Pench and Kanha, to name a few. Most of my tiger sightings are from these parks. Bengal tigers are the most common subspecies of tiger found in India. You’ll feel the atmosphere of the jungle change when a tiger is close. The air fills with the sound of animal warnings and you can feel the tension as a majestic tiger enters their territory.”
Take the Plunge, oil on canvas, 60 x 40"
Other works are inspired by her trips to South Africa, including wildlife destinations such as Masai Mara, Serengeti and Kruger national parks. In these locations, she observes lions, zebras, African elephants and giraffes. “The animals in their full glory, in their natural environment, untouched by humans—it’s a treat for my eyes. I feel really happy watching them and try to bring those emotions onto the canvas.”
Birds of a Feather, oil on canvas, 56 x 56"
Jain, like many wildlife artists, says she feels a deep link to the animals she paints. “I feel a very strong connection with all my paintings, to a point that I actually feel sad sometimes to part ways with them,” she says. “When I paint animals I fall in love with them. They almost come alive and I start talking to them.”
In one of the new works, Morning Shadows,Jain paints three zebras drinking from a muddy water hole as brilliant reflections create dazzling displays of light in the water beneath the thirsty subjects.
Sushma Jain in her studio with several completed works.
“During African safaris we usually go for an early morning ride and I always have my camera on me. On one such day, I saw a few zebras drinking water from afar,” the artist says. “The morning light was reflecting beautifully on them. I asked my driver to stop the car and I quickly clicked this picture without disturbing them. With animals, you need to be patient and wait for the right moment to get that perfect shot. I just love watching them and seeing them in action.”
Jain’s show will hang at George Billis Gallery through August 31. —
George Billis Gallery 527 W. 23rd Street • New York, NY 10011 • (917) 273-8621 • www.georgebillis.com
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