CHRISTOPHER

“CHRISTOPHER”  Christopher lives in a sanctuary in Wachula, Florida called “The Center for Great Apes”.  When I first met him, he was young, like in the painting, but he has since grown to a mature, handsome ape with large cheek-pads on his face.    He was and still is very lovable.   Patty Reagan started this outdoor, tropical, forest habitat for orangutans and chimpanzees and runs it with the aid of financial supporters and volunteers.  This habitat provides the primates with plenty of running and climbing space, vines, height for swinging, an elevated tunnel/chute system they can move through, toys, tubs, and enrichment devices.  After finishing the painting of Christopher, my wife and I traveled back to the Florida sanctuary.  We had t-shirts and matted prints with the “CHRISTOPHER” artwork printed on them, hoping the sale of them would help their upcoming fund-raising auction.  When I showed the print to Chris, he sat down and studied it for over half an hour, looking at every inch of it.  You could see the wheels turning.  Each time I’d try to leave, he would jump up and wave his arms until I would come back and show him the print again.  It was magical to watch!

The painting is 48” x 36”, oil on canvas with a gallery wrap.