Following her breathtaking paint project as artist-in-residence at the Loango National Park in Gabon, the UK- based portraitist and illustrator has been shortlisted among a group of finalists for the wildlife Artist of the year Award 2009.

Artist of the Pristine world

The Award, presented by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF), rewards artists with the best representation of wildlife as seen in their natural environment. All profit from the subsequent sale of the artist’s work are reinvested to help save wildlife.

Davina , who had spent some time in Kenya, found wildlife in Gabon more exciting to work with because of the fact that west African wildlife resides deep in the rainforests and thick bushes. Contrary to Southern African Wildlife, which reside in more open and easily accessible savannah’s, locating and painting Gabon’s wildlife became a sort of treasure hunt for her.

Her relationship with Africa’s Eden and their Loango national park project began when Rombout Swanborn-director of Africa’s Eden, was impressed by her portfolio and invited her to visit the natural reserve on an even longer stay. Granted full access to the reserve’s wildlife, savannahs and lagoons, Davina worked on for 6 weeks coming up with breathtaking artwork for which she could soon be given credit for if awarded Artist of the year, 2009.