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Heatherzart β Captivity 2 - Java
Published: 2012-10-02 00:06:15 +0000 UTC; Views: 10011; Favourites: 705; Downloads: 0
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Description
24" x 36"Scratchboard and Ink
This is a picture I've worked on for over two years. The FIRST one, (yes I said first one - there are actually two), was ruined at about 75% completion - I hit the wood underneath the clay coating and after many many attempts to fix it, I finally gave up and put it away. So here is the final version - started over from scratch then professionally photographed.
Java is a leopard living in The Enchanted Garden at the Mirage Casino in Las Vegas. If you've never visited it, I highly recommend it. It's a small facility but beautifully built and maintained. The cat enclosures are spectacular and the keepers treat each animal as if they were part of their family. The photo reference of Java was actually a surprise. I was clicking away and playing with my focus, trying to get the cat and not the chain link - not easy to do for a novice like me! When I looked through my photos for the day this one jumped out at me. It was a risky decision to leave the chain link in the final artwork but I thought it made such a statement. Yes Java is in captivity and hand raised but he is still wild, and that's something a cage cannot take away.
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Comments: 53
kinda sad, I want to free him 
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I know - I have a whole series planned like this and it gives me mixed feelings. Β
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scratchboard???
wt...????
this is amazing!
the intricate detailing is mind boggling.
right down to the chain link fence AND the reflection of the chain link fence in the leopard's eyes!
goodness!!
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This is justβ¦wow. Absolutely amazing and beautiful. His expression is stunning. I love that the chain link fence is there. It reminds you of the capitovity he may be in but his eyes speak of the true wild nature he holds. Great work
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Stunning; I love the reflection of the cage in the eyes, and the detail is astonishing!
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This is just so fantastic, beautiful, stunning, awesome, brilliant and its quite good too lol
You have an amazing talent and i just love your works
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Absolutely amazing! I love your art, it's so realistic.
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I adore the strength in it's eyes, beautiful~
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Fabulous work! Very beautifull and the details are incredible. What kind of ink did you use? How about the eye? Are they digital?
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Stunning. You don't see a lot of work like this in traditional media anymore O_O Braaaaavo.
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This is amazing! Very good job...compliments!
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unbelievable. the details are stunning! definitely worth all of your hard work and patience. well done!
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Freaking... Awesome...
One of the best things I've ever seen.
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OMG!!
this isn't a photo, or a digital art??!?! o.o
so amazing!!! really you did an excelent job in this!!
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The eyes looks so intense! They are amazing! I love the fence in front of it!
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i think its amazing, but the cheek of the animal is a but cut of i would suggest to have some more fur on the cheek. Just a suggesting for the rest, its amazing
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Absolutely stunning work! I'm so glad you finished it so we could all see C:
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I think he is curous about the people outside and enjoying the view joyfully. Beautiful animal. Is that a fence of a stretch stocking? I do not see too well... but looks happy in any case!
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one word - FANTASTIC!! congratulations friend!!
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You have insane skill. This is to much, I know you are pulling my leg and this is a photo. Your eyes are always so mesmerizing and perfect thank you for letting us view your amazing work!
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It's works like these which make me feel guilty for supporting zoos. As much as I love animals, and want to pursue a career in that field, I wish zoos would take better care of their animals to make it seem more natural. Bigger enclosures, more enrichment, less of mindless walking up and down the edges of their prison which is so commonly seen.
Well done in bringing out emotions.
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Not all zoos are as awful as you describe either, keep that in mind.
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Of course not. But I travel a lot, and from what I've seen zoos tend to favour certain animals while neglecting others. There are a few though, that do a brilliant job at attending most of their animal residents. London zoo being one of these (though I did observe one of the lions showing signs of boredom by walking up and down. Very depressing). Australia Zoo is another example of great animal care and enrichment. Especially to their tigers by giving them a large enclosure, unlike Perth Zoo which has such a small enclosure you hardly see them walking. They usually sit there all day. But then again, Perth zoo has a orangutan program.
See, each zoo has it's flaws in neglecting some aspects of their animals. It's like none of them have been able to balance having a variety of species, while still attending to their needs to make their life as pleasurable as possible.
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breathtaking!!!! I hope to be as good as you someday
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AHHH! Patience and perseverance, and let us not forger procrastination. It is good to know that you've perfect the first two anyway, and glad that you haven't perfected the last one. The reference photo must have caused you tremours and the realization that you were going to draw it trepidition.
(Place tearful emoticon here to denote lack of words to express true admiration.)
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