Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Julia

I visited the Bronx Zoo recently and
met with this beautiful Gorilla named
Julia. I'm assuming this is her, since
they say that Julia is friendly and very
curious. She looks at everyone who
visits her at the Congo Gorilla Forest
each day. I was so surprised when a
little girl was waving at her and she
waved right back...you can imagine
how happy that made her. If you're
ever in the neighborhood...Julia would
love to see you!!

88 comments:

  1. She is beautiful Hilda. You can see her soul in her eyes. Well done!! :)

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  2. very nice... i'm afraid of gorilas bus she is cute!

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  3. Those eyes breathe life Hilda, great job!

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  4. Amazing work here Hilda, very tender piece. Happy Thanksgiving to you! <3

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  5. Oh Hilda she is so beautiful and you did a wonderful job capturing her. Great job.

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  6. Chimps and Gorillas are very expressive. Great work.

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  7. Oh this is just awesome.. I too love the eyes.. So much emtoion out there.

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  8. I could almost stroke her fur - It looks so soft! Oh, and those beeeeautiful, soulful eyes... Gorgeous! :0)

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  9. What a wonderful painting! You can tell she is friendly because you did such a great job on her eye's. Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving!

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  10. Gorgeous!!! I love the way you did her fur! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  11. Wow! It's really amazing this Julia's portrait, the eyes and the expression are so tender. Great work, Hilda! Ciao!

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  12. thank you so much CRYSTAL. I looked at her eyes and knew I had to paint her!

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  13. thank you LAMPROSS for your kind comment!

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  14. thank you PADMAJA for stopping by and commenting. She did have magnetic eyes.

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  15. thank you so much BARBARA for commenting! I appreciate it so much..and Happy Thanksgiving to you!

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  16. Thank you so much DORS. You made my day!!

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  17. Thank you so much AK for stopping by. Gorillas are so incredibly expressive...She looked happy!

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  18. thank you PRABAL for that kind comment. She spoke through her eyes...

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  19. thank you so much SANDRA for stopping and for your beautiful comment.

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  20. thank you so much ROBY for commenting on Julia. After looking at the reference picture, her eyes are what made me want to paint her.

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  21. thank you PAM!!! She made everyone smile at the zoo.!!

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  22. thank you JOAN for that kind comment..Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

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  23. Thank you TITO for stopping and commenting! You made my day!!

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  24. My heart aches for all the magnificent creatures whose habitats are being destroyed. You have shown her soul through your work. A truly blessed talent. Wishing you and all your family a happy Thanksgiving memory!

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  25. thank you TRUDY! I as well feel sooo bad for them. They should all be free in their homeland. But they have so much space to run climb, and play with their friends here at the zoo...and at least they're safe! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  26. Sure looks soft and cuddly. Happy Thanksgiving.

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  27. Thank you for stopping and commenting on my blog, ANGELA.!! I really appreciate it...and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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  28. WOW!!! This portrait is incredible! Wonderful technique and you truly captured her sweet spirit.

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  29. Amazing painting! The fur and the expression in the eyes...just fabulous!

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  30. Hilda, great post and how wonderful, she waved back to the little girl. Amazing.

    Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
    Joan

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  31. Thank you THERESA!! I appreciate your comment!! Enjoy your day tomorrow!!

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  32. thank you JANE for stopping by and commenting!! I really appreciate it.

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  33. Thank you JOAN. I wish I had taken the picture of the girl's expression when she waved back...like they say .."Priceless"...Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  34. She is beautiful, Hilda!!

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  35. very nice, a very human look, Hilda : )

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  36. I love the softness in this painting Hilda. You've done a great job on the fur.

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  37. thank you SADEU! for your comment. I agree..their eyes looks so expressive like humans.

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  38. thank you NANCY for stopping and commenting.. the Velour paper is wonderful for painting animals on it since it gives it that added softness to it.

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  39. The eyes seem to be expressing deep introspective thoughts...They are full of life with a touch of sadness.
    Extremely well done, Hilda!

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  40. Wonderful, wonderful painting. My first thought was that it was a photo. The eyes are fantastic and you gave her such a sensitive persona.....bravo!

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  41. thank you DEAN..she did look sad..but knowing she was so well treated makes you feel better..unfortunately she's always sitting by the window for us to see her "sad eyes". again, I really appreciate your comment.!

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  42. Hi CAROL, glad you stopped by! you made my day!

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  43. Fantástico retrato de Julia. Tiene una mirada muy tierna y este pastel es una maravilla. Si se la enseñas a Julia se pondrá muy contenta! Seguro que sabe que es ella!!
    Un abrazo.

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  44. That's an awesome painting! You captured such a knowing, caring expression on that ape. I also like the soft blended fur, with all the rich colors. Very beautiful work!

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  45. Gracias, por tu comentario JOSH. Estoy muy contenta que te ha gustado Julia.!!

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  46. Thank you so much, KATHERINE for your comment! I really appreciate it!! Have a wonderful day.

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  47. Hi Hilda,

    So much expression you have captured in her eyes. Not easy to do. Beautiful work!

    Sue

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  48. How completely charming! The eyes just draw you in- :)

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  49. I have just found your blog and glad I did. You do amazing work. I like everything about the Gorilla but the eyes are outstanding.

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  50. Thank you so much SUE for that lovely comment. I appreciate it!!

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  51. Thank you MARY for stopping by and for your comment!! I enjoyed painting her.!

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  52. thank you so much JOHN! When I saw her looking through the window she almost looked "human" to me. Her eyes were so intense. Glad you found me.

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  53. I LOVE JULIA!! this is beautifully done, just gorgeous! i can't believe she waved at the little girl. that little fact makes this painting all the more lovely!

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  54. Hi SUZANNE, thank you so much for your kind comment. Unfortunately, I wasn't fast enough with my camera to take the photo of her waving! I would have loved to have shared it with everyone..!

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  55. This is so wonderfully painted - the expression on 'Julia' is so endearing...I love this, Hilda!

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  56. Hello Hilda!... What a wonderful moment you have captured here!

    Not only have you wonderfully rendered all of the textural and visual language in this image of Gentle Julia... but in addition, you have captured that pensive... thoughtful and depth of person... which your waving incident supports. It is a portrait... a step taken beyond the wildlife drawing genre!

    Your image is quite simply... alive Hilda! Beautifully done!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  57. thank you CLAIRE..you're so kind. I appreciate your visit and comment!!

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  58. thank you BRUCE for commenting on Julia. She did look gentle..makes you wonder how she would be if she was freed...hmmmm! I enjoyed painting her very much.!

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  59. A wonderful, very life-like portrait of Julia. I wonder what she's thinking. Well done!

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  60. thank you so much CAROL. She's probably wondering what we're all thinking about!! LOL

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  61. Wow! Stunning portrait of such a sweet girl! You've really captured her intelligence and make us wonder what she's thinking and feeling.

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  62. Beautiful painting Hilda! I love the story of your zoo visit. How cool it must have been to see the Julia wave at the little girl!

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  63. thank you LORRAINE for that nice comment!

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  64. thank you BRAD! Actually, it was almost unbelievable...like I said before, I just wish I was quick enough to take the photo of the little girls face....I enjoyed painting Julia very much.

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  65. She is gorgeous! :) and I'm honoured to share the same name with such beauty! Jules

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  66. that explains it, JULIA!! LOL. She was so sweet. I still visualize her looking at everyone with those sad eyes. Thank you for stopping by!!

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  67. Everyone of the other comments says what I feel, Hilda. What you managed to capture with the emotional quality of this piece amazes me. I love visiting your blog.

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  68. JULIE...thank you...you just made my day!!!

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  69. thank you so much DIANA for your nice comment. I appreciate you stopping by!!!

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  70. Beautifully done Hilda, and I love the story of the gorilla waving back! Imagine that. :-)

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  71. Great job, Hilda!! I've been fascinated with Gorillas since Gorillas in the Mist came out. I also was honored to meet Jane Goodall, she's a personal hero. Wonderful, job, wish I was close enough to visit the Bronx zoo:)

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  72. thank you CLAIRE for visiting!! I value your opinion!!!

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  73. Thank you CARRIE!! I appreciate your opinion!! How wonderful meeting Jane Goodall!! Definitely an honor..I think I watched Gorillas in the Mist a hundred times!! LOL Loved it.

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  74. The expression you captured in her eyes is so deep. Just lovely!

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  75. thank you TWEEDLES for stopping by and commenting!!!

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  76. thank you MARIA for your comment! I'm glad you like her!!!

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  77. Beautiful. And you have conveyed that this is no "dumb animal." Nice work.

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  78. Love your comment...thank you for stopping by!!

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  79. Hi Hilda. Your work is really amazing. I especially love Julia. Animals are my favourites and you have portrayed Julia so captivatingly that it's hard to tear my eyes away from her. Just gorgeous. Btw thanks for dropping by. Take care. Laura x

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  80. thank you so much Laura, for your lovely comment on Julia! I appreciate you stopping by!!

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