Grey Cube Gallery proudly presents the second Animals online art show for the month of April 2021. The show encompassed a range of artistic styles and mediums (oil on canvas, acrylic, watercolor, ink, graphite, pastel, charcoal, scratchboard, gouache, bronze, photography, digital, polymer clay, etching). Each submission has been judged based on the following elements of artistic expression: orginality and quality of art, overall design, creativity, interpretation of the theme, demonstration of artistic ability and usage of medium. Out of all entries, 161 artworks were shortlisted for inclusion in the show. The competition attracted entries from many countries across the world: USA, Canada, France, Taiwan, Germany, Uruguay, Poland, Ukraine, Mexico, Australia, Netherlands, Italy, China, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Hong Kong, Portugal, United Kingdom, Israel and New Zealand. Enjoy the show and thank you for expressing an interest in our competition.

Li Huaqi, born in 1981 in Guangxi, China, now lives in Beijing. Graduated from the Department of Painting, Academy of Fine Arts, Tsinghua University. President of Oil Painting Academy of Zhongguancun Academy of Art, Vice Chairman of China-Russia Oil Painting Association, Vice Chairman of China-Hungarian Artists Association, Vice Director of Office of Beijing Oil Painting Academy of China Xu Beihong Painting Academy, Member of American Portrait Painting Association, Member of Beijing Oil Painting Society.

I work exclusively in charcoal and use a realistic style that mimics photography to the point that my drawings are often mistaken for photos. I love shadows, contrast, anonymity and using negative space in my compositions whenever possible. My goal is to catch timeless fragments of life in my work---whether it’s the intricate lines of the human hand, the delicate folds of a garment, or a tarnished piece of silver, they are drawn in detailed simplicity. My work reflects a relentless enthusiasm for detail, through a vast collection of subject matter. From muscular figures, to distressed objects from the past, animals and cars, I continue to challenge perfection.

As a lifelong animal lover, I have found a love for spending time with furry and feathered creatures. I observed the Military Macaw featured in “Bashful” as he slept on a branch next to a Scarlet Macaw. He looked so serene and beautiful. I started to photograph the two of them together, and then focused in on him. Eventually, he opened one eye to study me as I studied him. I have this image with both his eye open and closed, and this is my favorite. I love how he is so bold in appearance, but shy in nature. It has been said that “the eyes are the windows to the soul,” and I have found this to be true. Not only in people, but also in animals - most especially in the great apes. My series “Almost Human” explores the eyes and expressions of these magnificent creatures, looking for the souls in our most closely-related counterparts. Chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans are so much like us that if you spend a little time with them, you can almost tell what they are feeling. Some are young and playful, some are old and wise, and some are shy and do not want to be bothered. They all have very different personalities and spirits. I want to show the heart of these beautiful animals so more people can find a deeper understanding and affection for them, and learn more about the conservation efforts in place to help them. What a better world it would be for man and apes alike.

Graphite can be an exceptional medium for art that captures creatures with complex scales and highly patterned hard shells. Absent color, the strength of the image rests on the ability to render pattern and texture through a range of values and distinctive shapes. Working in graphite allows me to focus on lines, shapes, and values. Without the romance of color, a compelling graphite work must convey shape and substance, light and texture, through a range of values. Creating compelling graphite wildlife art of "furry" creatures hinges upon properly identifying the direction of fur (or wool) and then creating shape and girth through a range of values. But truly engaging realistic wildlife portrayals are those which capture a moment of quintessential animal behavior: gorillas interacting as a family unit in much the same way as their human "relatives," sheep in pen - right before the mutton bustin' event - huddling with nervousness.