ONE TO WATCH: Artist Emily Lamb Saves Endangered Species With Her Beautifully Composed Paintings

This painting, entitled, Zebra, by young artist Emily Lamb (she is only 29!) is monumental in size at 70.5" X 98.5" and knocked me flat on my feet when I spotted it at the International Fine Art and Antiques Show recently. And when I learned of her background and inspiration, the painting became even more compelling (if that is possible!)

From an early age, Emily has been inspired and influenced by her grandfather David Shepherd, also a noted artist and one of the world's most outspoken conservationists. She would gaze up at his easel to view his beautiful wildlife images which are widely collected. After traveling with her family to Africa and Asia as a young girl, she knew those countries had found a special place in her soul.

Emily has followed in her grandfather's footsteps by depicting endangered species in Africa and Asia. She supports his foundation, the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s (DSWF) Art for Survival Programme, by donating paintings for various fundraising events, auctions and exhibitions.

Emily's work treads the boundary line between realism and abstraction.

The more you look at Emily's paintings the more detail and color you see. Emily says nature is never black and white, so she refrains from using white to brighten a painting, opting instead to "push the color value" of her hues, using a technique of painting in poor light to achieve richer colors. She also refrains from using black, adding that her grandfather taught her that "nature is never black, it only seems that way."

Detail from "Zebra" by Emily Lamb. Photograph by Lynn Byrne.

Emily is one to watch! She already has had two exhibitions--the first, a sell-out-- at the prestigious Rountree Tryon Galleries. Here are a few more of her gorgeous paintings.

EMILY LAMB (B.1985) African giants oil on canvas 51 1/4 x 59 in. (130 x 150cm.) Sold.

Photo credits: Zebra and African Giants from Rountree Tryon Galleries. Africa and Maintaining the Status Quo from Emily's Website. Photo of Emily and quotes from Artists and Illustrators