Sunday, 22 February 2009
2) Biography
Debbie Knight has had a life long passion for wildlife conservation and art. As an artist, she specialises in the mediums of watercolour, gouache & oil painting. Her subjects range from; African wildlife, to primates, of which Orangutans are her favourites, to all the big Cats & much closer to home pet portraits. She always endeavors to be true to her heART, conveyed perfectly by the mantra of Antoine De Saint-Exuper “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.".
She often paints younger animals, endeavouring to capture that special look in their eyes, which reflects their spirit of innocence, curiosity or bond with a parent. Although she loves to paint young cubs she feels that everything has beauty. You need to be passionate about your subject to produce your best work. Debbie has always been a lover of life, & has been through a challenging time with her health. She now appreciates that you've got to take things day by day, minute by minute & wait for your brain to catch up with your heart, then you will find the beautiful things in life again. Debbie is a great believer in positive thinking & you will find many quotes linked to her painting galleries which you may find life enriching.
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She has travelled on several expeditions to the remote game reserves of Botswana, on safaris organised by the wildlife artist, Pip McGarry. Botswana is an eerie dusty timeless wilderness. Visiting the Okavango Delta, Savute and Chobe provided her with memories and friends that will last a life time. Botswana On her latest safari she experienced the thrill of walking with lions in Zimbabwe & also came face to face with a leopard while hanging on to the roof of a safari truck in Moremi. Nearer to home she has a great fondness for Marwell Wildife & has treasured memories of a magical sunset shared with a dear friend & the Marwell Cheetah cubs.
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Debbie has overcome many challenges & discovered "You can gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really face up to your fears & are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this challenge, I can take the next thing that comes along.' You can improve your well being so much by doing the thing you think you cannot do."Life for her is often very much like drawing without an eraser, you never know quite how life is going to turn out but there is no going back, & there should be no regrets.
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Her enthusiasm has enabled her to become a committee member of the Marwell International Wildlife Art Society, the largest (and friendliest) wildlife art society in Europe. She has helped MIWAS raise many thousands of pounds for Marwell’s conservation causes, & also EAZA and WWF. She also helps out as an official Marwell Wildlife volunteer when time permits. She believes whole heartedly in the quote she once read that said "we could all learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors....but they all exist very nicely in the same box".
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Debbie really appreciates the help & encouragement she has received from her beloved Mum & Dad. She has been inspired by the wonderful talents of Pip McGarry, Janet Ackerman, Helen Brown, Sandra Read, Kim Thompson, Julie Longdon, Anne Squires, Anne Swatton & all the other brilliant artists at Marwell.
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She is at a time in her life that’s she is of the opinion that perhaps beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art. Debbie has been blessed by having so many true friends who have all so kindly held out there hands & truly touched her heart.
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She has exhibited at the annual Marwell International Wildlife Art exhibition for ten years and successfully sold many paintings and commissions. Marwell Wildlife has captured her imagination & she would like to think that many people will be so encouraged by the annual exhibition they might think more about wildlife conservation & perhaps even pick up a brush themselves.
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As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has-or ever will have-something inside that is unique to all time. It's our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression.
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Discovering the truth about ourselves is very much a lifetime's work, but with Gods blessing, it is well worth the effort. Debbie has found from her life experiences nothing can bring you peace but yourself. As she sometimes struggles along her pathway in life she focuses on the wise words of Martin Luther King Jr.
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“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that".
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My thoughts & prayers go out to all our friends. I value our friendships so very much.
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Happy Painting,
Debbie
3.1) Little Cat Diaries
"Waiting for Mum" Cheetah Cub (Sold)Remember the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.
"Binu" Snow Leopard Cub (Sold)
Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
"Soulful Thoughts" (Donated)
I have always been a lover of life, even though I have been through depression. I know that you have cot to take it day by day, minute by minute, wait for your brain to catch up with your heART & you will find the beautiful things in life again
3.2) Little Cat Diaries
"The LittleImp" Cheetah Cub (Sold)Plan for tomorrow but LIVE for today
"Reflections" (Sold)There is just something so special about Tigers, cus Tigeeeeeeeeers are wonderful things!
“The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the strength within you that survives all the hurt.”
"Dreaming" (Sold)Never give up on your dreams!
Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
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All our dreams can come true - if we have the courage to pursue them.- Walt Disney
3.3) Little Cat Diaries
"First Steps" (Sold)And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to grow.
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Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.-Danny Kaye
"Watching" (Sold)While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart."- St. Francis of Assisi
"The Three Brothers" (Commision/Donated to EAZA Tiger Appeal)
"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do"
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The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for.- Maureen Dowd
3.4) Little Cat Diaries
"Zambar" (Not for Sale)Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art!
"Young Zambar" (Sold)The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the strength within you that survives all the hurt.
Amur Leopard Cub. (Sold)We Often feel more responsible for our failures than our successes.
Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
4.1) African Gallery
"Okavango Elephant" (Sold)A scene that inspired me to visit Botswana.
Once you go to Africa you always want to return.
Once a year, go some place you’ve never been before.
"Watching" (Sold)Watching a leopard in its natural habitat, the beautiful timeless wilderness of Botswana.
In another life I watched this wild African leopard in Moremi Botswana while hanging off the side of a safari truck with one hand, camera in the other. No more than 12 foot between us. No glass or wire just a truck full of meals on wheels (my fellow Botswana buddies) & a herd of impala that this leopard was contemplating having for lunch. All of us together but also alone in the wilderness. Only the scorching midday sun delaying her ambitions. She looked right through me, she was so focused. My fear was gone I was there, in this wonderful place. This was one of the most breathtaking exciting moments of my life. Well times have changed & so has my life. I am in that zone, that focused place ready for the biggest challenge of my life.
"Timeless Wilderness" (Commission)I have been so privileged to travel on several safari's to the remote game reserves of Botswana visiting the Okavango Delta, Moremi, Savute & Chobe. These adventures have provided me with memories & friends "Botswana buddies" that will last a life time.
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The most difficult lesson to learn is: Which bridge in life to use or which one to break off.
4.2) African Gallery
"Savute Elephant" (Not for Sale)The peace & tranquility of watching a golden sunset on a Botswana evening is so far removed from the pace of life back home in England. The poignancy of achieving the right work/family life balance are paramount. Without your health & the love of your family you have nothing.
The greatest events aren't the loudest, but the most quiet hours.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
"Painted Dog" We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors....but they all exist very nicely in the same box.
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A Native American elder described how inside him there were two dogs, constantly fighting each other for supremacy.
One dog was afraid and miserable, a snarling and unpleasant thing.
The other was trusting and good, a hopeful and happy animal."
Which one wins the fight?" someone asked."The one I feed the most." he replied.
"Chobe Steamer" A boat trip on the Chobe River is a must do experience, on a trip of a lifetime.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that" ~ Martin Luther King Jr
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Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.-Marie Curie
4.3) African Gallery
"The Family" (Sold)A breeding herd of elephants fearcely defended by the matriarch on Savute Marsh Botswana. Feel the fear & do it any way.
Pushing through fear is less frightening than living with the underlying fear that comes from a feeling of helplessness.
"Botswana Bambi" Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it.
Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.-Hans Christian Anderson
"Chobe Sunset" (Sold)Where you have come from does not say where you are going!
Never give up on your dreams!
4.4) African Gallery
"Zula & Bhasala" (Not for sale)This painting was an early practice piece I did as a beginner at a workshop held by MIWAS. It was based very loosely on a painting I had seen by a brilliant artist called Bob Kuhn. I put it in for comment at a critique at the end of the workshop. It was severely but very constructively criticised by George Woodford. I learned so much from his honesty & went away to practice, practice, practice. The painting above is the reworked finished version, which has great personal value to me.
Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all your self.
The Three Musketeers" Never let anyone steal your dreams!
"The Family" A monochrome study. (Sold)The greatest happiness in life is to know that you are loved.
5.1) Small Cat Diaries
Ice Palace (Not for Sale)Early workshop practice piece based loosely on the style of Terri Issacs (In my Dreams)
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The beauty of the world has two edges, one of laughter, one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder.- Virginia Woolf
" Ocelot family"You lifted me up onto your shoulders
& suddenly there was no limit to how far my heart could see.
"Lenny" A commission of a friends pet cat.
5.2) Medium Cat Diaries
Workshop practice piece (Not for Sale)I was given a book by the brilliant wildlife artist Brian Hanlon by my beloved parents who were friends with one of his relatives. From this book for the first time since I had left school I rediscovered my passion for wildlife & art.
"Kalahari Ferrari " (Sold)In the end, we conserve only what we love.
We only love what we understand.
We understand only what we are taught.
"The Oryx Cub"
Perhaps God would want us to become acquainted with many different people in the course of your life, so that when you meet the right ones, you can appreciate and be grateful for them.
Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
5.3) Big Cat Diaries
"Watching" (Sold)The golden rule of conduct, therefore, is mutual toleration, seeing that we will never all think alike and we shall see Truth in fragment and from different angles of vision.
"EAZA TigersThis painting was a commision, which I donated the proceeds to the EAZA European Association of Zoo's & Aquaria, tiger camapign.
It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself.
Justice cannot be done for one side alone, but must be for both.
Tiger Portrait
Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
6.1) Orangutan Gallery
"Hope & Austin" (Commission)Orphaned Orang Utan's at a feeding station in Borneo.
True friends are so important in life, they can hold you by the hand & touch your heart.
My very talented friend Sandra gave me hope & enabled me to be true to my heART!
"Bad Hair Day" (Sold)No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has-or ever will have-something inside that is unique to all time. It's our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression
"Peaceful Sunrise" (Sold)Our greatest glory is not in never failing but in rising every time we fail.
Be gentle with the Earth.
6.2) Orangutan Gallery
"Gordon" This is a portrait of Gordon the baby OranUtan who was born at the primate rescue centre "Monkey World" in wool, Dorset. They do such wonderful work there & have helped promote the tragic plight faced by so many primaties in the wild & the cruel treatment they receieve from mankind. This was my first painting to ever sell in an exhibition.
"Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it."
"Discovering the truth about ourselves is a lifetime's work, but it's well worth the effort."
7.1) My Lovely Dog
"First Day"Our Pembroe Corgi. Our little ray of sunshine.
"6 months" However we may seem he always knows how we feel.
This little guy transformed our lives.
We are so Lucky to have him.What ever you think about comes about!
Be Lucky!
7.2) My Family & Friends
"Mum & Dad Fifty Golden Years" The greatest happiness in life is to know that you are loved. 
A portrait of a dear friends young family. (Commission)
A portrait of a dear friends young family. (Commission)In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation.
Don’t bring up the past.
8.1) Pet Portraits
Johns pets (Donated)
Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
Ele's dog (Commission)
Ele's dog (Commission)
9.1) Miscellanious Gallery
"Free Spirit" Hollyhead Puffins.
Open your arms to change, but don’t give up your values
"Tree Bandits" Racoon study
"Fox study" (Commmission)
A commision for a dear friend, who I fear may no longer be a part of my life.
Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
Spend some time alone every day.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time
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