Read this Wildlife Art Journal article

Karen Laurence-Rowe's 'Rothschild Mirage'

Kenyan painter Karen Laurence-Rowe now can add a prestigious new entry to her resume:  Wildlife Artist of the Year.  The Nairobi-based flatworker took home the top £10,000 prize in the 2012 competition sponsored by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.  Her moving portrayal of imperiled Rothschild Giraffes claimed not only the supreme honor, she also was singled out as best in the Endangered Species Category. 

Hundreds of noted nature artists, collectors, and supporters of wildlife conservation turned out for the opening gala at Mall Galleries in England's capital city for the  juried event held every year in late spring.  Started a few years ago by octogenarian David Shepherd, who is considered the grand dean of wildlife art in Britain, Wildlife Artist of the Year exists to promote the protection of species around the globe and, by selling art, raising money for badly needed conservation efforts, most notably in Africa and Asia. In fact, the DSWF has become a leading voice for helping to address the plague of poaching that is decimating white and black rhinocerus populations in southern Africa. (Photo above:  Laurence-Rowe with David Shepherd and conservationist Mark Carwardine).

Born in Uganda, Laurence-Rowe is the daughter of a civil engineer. While self taught, she studied graphic design in college and worked for a time in advertising. Let there be no doubt that Laurence-Rowe has a feel for her subjects, a subtle touch in her ability to portray them in different mediums, a...