da’ donkeys
Pen & Ink on Panel
 
This piece, da’ donkeys, is my tribute to the wild free roaming burros and donkeys as living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West. They have been lost in the romantic vision of the West and have become the unseen ones.
 
Each year, millions of burros and donkeys are being slaughtered for the production of ejiao, a medicinal gelatin that is made from boiling the skins of the animals. The burro and donkey skin trade is now decimating the global populace. Donkey-hide glue is a key ingredient in traditional Chinese remedies. It is derived from the gelatin found in burro and donkey hides.
 
Perhaps no animal has given as much to humans as the gentle burro and donkey. As packers and all-around great companions, their light footprint and capacity for giving is unsurpassed. Burros and donkeys contributed to the opening of the West. They deserve our respect and to have a home on the range.
 
da’ donkeys
Pen & Ink on Panel
This Pen & Ink drawing is on cold pressed watercolor paper using my version of stippling. The watercolor paper is adhered to a wooden panel then coated with archival beeswax. This contemporary finish protects the art while elevating the traditional glass covering. The edges are wrapped with patinaed copper. Overall size is approximately 50” X 26”.