Becci Crowe Adventure Artist

My Summer of YOLO

Becci Crowe — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 00:38:14 +0000

My blog has been rather quiet this summer but I haven’t. Little did I know I was off YOLOing. I just found that out while listening to Katie Kouric during an interview. Here is a video slide show with highlights from my summer YOLO:

But it doesn’t end there. I’ve been YOLOing even after returning from Zimbabwe. Like today enjoying one of my favorite things:

Me & dark chocolate

I bet you’ve been YOLOing this summer without knowing it too - share yours and join me on the journey.

Becci Crowe Adventure Artist

You Only Live Once

Home

Becci Crowe — Sun, 27 May 2012 03:44:15 +0000

Where is home? Is it where we were born or lived as a child or is it where we end up? Is it a geographical place or a specific abode? Is it one place or can it be plural? Is what comes to each of our hearts when we say “that is home” always associated with the positive? Could you call something home if it were negative? What makes a location feel like home?

I left what I knew as home when I was 19. It was not the place I was born but the place I had lived as long as I was old enough to remember. The details of my leaving is another story, but my destination was Oklahoma where I subsequently spent the next 10 years. Having grown up on the Pacific Coast it was like moving to a foreign country. The land and culture was alien to me. Even after 10 years it never felt like home. I not only missed my family, I still missed ‘my country’.

I married a military officer and we spent many years traveling the world. It was exciting to experience so many new people and places. But as much as I enjoyed it none of the places we lived and traveled ever felt like home and I was always ready to move on. In my heart home was still where my childhood memories were created. Not a specific house – we lived in 4 different ones – but places like grandma’s and the beautiful wilderness that I was free to explore.

The Serengeti, Tanzania

Then one day, I traveled to Africa and something unexpected happened. The concept of home went deeper and wider than I ever imagined. I looked upon the great plains and woodlands, the high mountain ridges and the deep gorges of the Rift Valley that make up Tanzania and felt in my bones I was home. I don’t know where this strong feeling came from other than a deep primal knowing, buried in my DNA, that my roots were here. This feeling has never left me.

My concept of home has changed through the years. What is home to you? Has it changed as your life evolved? What is home?

Join me on the journey.

Becci Crowe Adventure Artist

Going to the dogs

Becci Crowe — Fri, 04 May 2012 05:48:30 +0000

Jane Goodall, Becci Crowe, & Greg Rasmussen

Plans are in the works to return to Africa again this year. It will be my 10th trip and this experience promises to be like no other. My husband and I will be joining Dr. Greg Rasmussen, Founder & Research Director of Painted Dog Conservation in Zimbabwe. No safari for us – it won’t be necessary – we’ll be camped out in the bush with wildlife 24/7 as we track, collar, and collect data on the endangered Painted Dogs of Africa.We first met Greg 18 months ago while attending the Wildlife Conservation Network in San Francisco. I’d been following his work with Painted Dogs and we hit it off immediately. Greg’s friends include many internationally known conservationists including the legendary Jane Goodall.

“Painted” patterns are unique to each dog

Painted Dogs, also known as African Wild Dogs, are unique to Africa and among Africa’s most endangered species. At the turn of the 20th century there were half a million. It is estimated that only 3,000 – 5,000 still survive. The population in Zimbabwe is one of the last strongholds of the species and Greg’s Painted Dog Conservation is committed to saving them.

Painted Dogs have long legs, a lean body and large ears. Their coats vary in pattern and coloration mixing black, grey, gold, and white to produce a unique painted effect. They live in packs and are very social. Only the dominant male and female breed, but the whole pack takes care of the young.

Hyena and Painted Dog

A question I’m often asked is how Painted Dogs differ from hyenas. Seeing them side by side makes the physical differences obvious. Hyena will take every opportunity to steal whatever the Dogs kill.

Becci & her guide in Zimbabwe in 2004 surrounded by a large pack of Painted Dog

On our last trip to Zimbabwe we filmed our documentary “As Close As You Dare – Africa” which was broadcast by PBS across the US. During our filming we encountered a large pack of Painted Dogs and found ourselves surrounded. We captured some incredible footage that shows what happened. (The DVD is available) While in Zimbabwe this year with Greg Rasmussen we’ll be searching for this pack again to record how they’re doing.

My summer adventure. What’s on your list? Join me on the journey.

Becci Crowe Adventure Artist

Delightful!

Becci Crowe — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:30:06 +0000

In the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda with a Silverback Mountain Gorilla - one of my moments

Captivating, amusing, beautiful, engaging, thrilling, pleasurable moments. That’s what delights me. It can be as simple as savoring my favorite dark chocolate candy bar – a big one - totally immersed in my comfort zone or as thrilling as searching for critically endangered Mountain Gorilla in the steep volcanic mountain jungles of Rwanda – talk about being out of my comfort zone.

As I become more aware a delightful moment is happening, I’ve also noticed I can go days or weeks without one. That will no longer do. I’ve decided to pursue creating delightful moments in my life each day. The idea intrigues me and I can’t wait to get started.

My cat enjoying a delightful moment

Imagine waking up every day and engaging in something that brings you delight. Imagine having that to look forward to. It can happen in a moment or last all day. It is different for each of us and available to us all. Share the journey with me. What delights you? My cat is having one of those moments.

Becci Crowe Adventure Artist

Go Ahead – Ask Me

Becci Crowe — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:18:34 +0000

I was recently interviewed by local writer, Judy Spiers. Being interviewed is an interesting process. I’ve been interviewed multiple times – even on television, but each interview has unique dynamics and a different perspective. Judy approached me because I’m presenting a special program “In Search of Tigers” based on my journey to India, Nepal, and Thailand in search of some of the last remaining wild Tigers on earth. As an artist specializing in wildlife, I travel to the wild and remote places where animals live and am increasingly involved in conservation efforts. I love sharing these adventures and the state of the environment through my art, photos, video and story telling to groups and organizations. For those of you living in Western Washington this program is free and open to the public April 9th, 7 pm, at the Puyallup Public Library.

Tracking wild Tiger on Elephant back in India

Becci and Baby Indian Elephant

But I digress…..the interview……Read on. I would enjoy your comments and posting the questions Judy didn’t ask me. Go ahead – ask me. Here’s The Interview

Join me on the journey.

Becci Crowe Adventure Artist

Against or For?

Becci Crowe — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:23:29 +0000

Living in the age of social media where information is accessed and shared in seconds is exciting and enlightening. It also brings home, sometimes graphically, the atrocities against ourselves, animals, and the earth that sustains us. My knee-jerk reaction to violence and destruction is to cry out in anger. I’ve discovered I don’t accomplish much if I’m stuck in anger. To unstick myself and move forward I turn what I’m ‘against’ into a cause or a purpose I am ‘for’. Mother Teresa described this concept in the following quote:

“No, I will not march in a protest against war, but when you organize a march for peace, please let me know, I’ll be the first to sign up.” Mother Teresa

No matter the topic, shifting to this perspective is freeing and empowering. It creates an environment where I can contribute from a place of compassion. It feels good to share what I’m for. Below is a photo of one of those many things. I’ve also added several links to my blogroll to share with you. What are you for?

Becci with orphan elephants in Nairobi

Find out more about these orphans at http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/ Share the journey with me.

Adventure Artist

Becci Crowe

Love in the Serengeti for Valentines Day

Becci Crowe — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:09:41 +0000

One day while exploring the Serengeti in Tanzania we encountered a pair of courting lions. They wandered away from the pride together in search of privacy and we couldn’t resist seeing how their ‘date’ would turn out. The photos tell the story.

The date starts with a friendly greeting and signs of mutual attraction

So off the pair goes for some time alone

But it's not long before the mood changes

And the irritable exchange accelerates

Mating ensues despite the discord

Indifference sets in

But the day is saved by a beautiful sunset

Happy Valentines Day wherever you are

Where would you like to spend Valentines Day? I’d like to be sitting under that tree. Share the journey with me.

Becci Crowe

Adventure Artist

How Many Dots? Are You Crazy!?

Becci Crowe — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:22:52 +0000

Working in my studio

As an artist I’m most known for a technique called Pointillism, or maybe more accurately, Stippling. In this technique I use Rapidograph pens with tiny points to create images in ink literally one dot at a time. Dot after dot after dot ……….. Although this allows for intricate details it can take weeks or months to finish a large piece.

People often ask how I can sit and layer in dots for such long periods. (They wonder if I’m crazy) This dot dot dot dot dotting creates a rhythm . . . and when I’m relaxed I’m not consciously placing single dots but watching as my hand movement creates a pattern of layers. As I watch the image materialize, the act of laying in the dots takes on a life of its own. It feels like the image is emerging from the paper and I’m simply an observer.

Pointillism details of elephant ear and tusk

: Pen & Ink Pointillism “Testing the Air”

I encountered this curious Bull Elephant on one of my safaris in Botswana. The background of this original is watercolor but the entire elephant is created – yes – dot by dot. If you look closely you get a better sense of how the dots are layered to create the textures, details, and values from light to dark. It took several weeks working many hours a day to complete.

Then people want to know how many dots are in my pieces. There are thousands – although I’ve never actually counted every single one. That would be crazy! Following is a video clip giving you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the making of this Elephant in my studio. Take a look. What’s your obsession? Join me on my journey.

Becci Crowe

Adventure Artist

What do you know for sure?

Becci Crowe — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:53:13 +0000

Some of the things I once thought I knew haven’t stood the test of time. I know what I love. That’s a long list. I know what I hate. That’s a short list. But in contemplating the world around me, what do I know for sure?

Over the years my travels have taken me to all kinds places and immersed me in close encounters with people and wildlife. I’ve stood face to face with indigenous people whose culture and language were as unrecognizeable to me as mine to them. Initially this seemed an insurmountable barrier to communication. But who needs the same language and culture to express warmth and curiosity and humor and hunger and caring and a helping hand? Even more profound, you don’t have to be the same species. I’ve found similar characteristics in communicating with animals and wildlife. Talk about different cultures and language! We’ve all had these experiences with our beloved pets but I can tell you it goes far beyond that.

That's me on the bottom right reaching out to a baby gray whale who repeatedly surfaced to watch and splash us

Once I went to Baja and spent time in an inflatable raft – a zodiac - in the lagoons where the gray whales migrate to give birth. We were at water level with these spectacular marine mammals and could see mother-calf pairs spouting and surfacing around us. Then a very surprising thing happened. A mother swam with her very young calf to our zodiac and surfaced right next to us. They stayed with us for some time as the calf, who was only a few weeks old, repeatedly surfaced to look at us and splash while mother kept watch. I know I was communicating – joy and excitement - as I instinctively reached out but couldn’t quite touch. And the baby gray was certainly captivated by us. The connection was there. It was tangible if unexplainable.

Then the mother did a remarkable thing. She swam within inches of the stern of our zodiac, suddenly dove and swam underneath us and then gently surfaced at the bow with inches to spare. I was able to caress her back as she carefully surfaced.

Caressing the mother gray whale's back

She was also reaching out and communicating in her way. These were wild marine mammals. So what do I know for sure? We are truly connnected with all life on earth.

Tell me what you know for sure. What has stood the test of time for you? Join me in the journey.

Becci Crowe

Adventure Artist

Meerkats Anyone?

Becci Crowe — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:58:17 +0000

My Art is inspired by the adventures I have in wild and remote places around the world. I have a treasure chest of video, photos, art and stories to share. A highlight of one of many trips to Africa was joining a clan of Meerkats in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. I was at their den as they emerged at dawn for their ‘sunning ritual’ and then followed their antics as they busily foraged for frogs and other ‘delicacies’ through out the day. I keep a journal when I’m on location to record my impressions and observations as well as doing some quick pencil sketches. Enjoy this video clip – it starts off with the Meerkats posing for their portrait!

I’ve added the portrait I created of them to the slide show on my blog’s Art Page. Take a look!