In the studio with artist, photographer and instructor Robert Louis Caldwell

The Thirty-Three Project is at it's end! The Thirty-Three conservation project is drawing towards the end as Robert prepares to travel to Tanzania. One of the first things Robert will be doing in Tanzania will be to present Pratik Patel the founder of Africa Wildlife Trust with a check from the money raised through this project to help AWT's anti-poaching efforts of Elephants in Tanzania. This is something that has been very close to Robert's heart and we thank everyone who has participated so far in helping to raise money for the African Elephant and to give Robert the chance to give it to someone who is directly involved in saving these majestic animals. The sale of the limited edition print and conservation DVD package will end at 12:00pm EST on Friday October 18, 2013. There are only five prints available!  "Thirty-Three (African Elephants)" and DVD Conservation package. $250 You may click on the link above to order your print ...

Way to much time has gone by since my last posting and much has happened since then,  too much to even try to write about.  So I'll share what I currently have on the easel and actually it is the first painting that I have worked on in almost 7 months. The drawing book kept me covered in Graphite dust since the beginning of the year. This is the latest painting in progress on the esael and it's of a Lilac-breasted Roller perched  in a Baobab tree. It is a commission from my africa trip in 2012, the collector asked for one bird and that was the LBR and me being a newbie at traveling to africa I was worried that I wouldn't see one. Apparently they are everywhere and after the first day I had enough refernece to probably paint several paintings. The composition has been completly drawn  in and the canvas is tonned ready for color that you can is mixed and ready to go in the foreground on the pallette.

Now that the drawings are finished the writing work officially begins on my instructional drawing book “Draw Realistic Animals; Wildlife, Pets & More” today. I believe I have written the first chapter of my book although it’s the third chapter that will be in the book. This chapter focuses on the drawing of fur as I look at short, mid and long haired animals and I am using my drawings “Keri (Cat)” for the short hair demo, “Brodie (Dog)” for the mid length hair demo and finally my drawing “Kutokua Na Hatia (Colobus Monkey)” for the long hair demo. I have probably written much more than is needed for each demo so hopefully my editor will be able to shorten it and make me sound good! Next chapter is for the birds!

Recently my family experienced a loss which has brought us to a screeching halt. Although the loss of my mother-in-law is a very personal one to myself and especially my wife, I believe that I owe her this brief passage of gratitude. My relationship with my mother-in-law was probably the typical one that a son-in-law has with his wife’s mother, a relationship of giving each other a hard time but also laughing with each other too. But it isn’t my personal relationship that I want to talk about, it was her support of my art. Although I  am sure that she questioned her daughter about marrying an artist, with that being such a solid career choice. My mother-in-law supported my efforts from day one, she became a catalyst for my career. She was always one of the first people to purchase a new print as well as adding a few originals to her collection. Yes I know a family member buying your art isn't the same as a stranger buying a piece but when you walk through the halls of her house...

“Birds in Art 2013” Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum Wausau, Wisconsin September 7–November 10, 2013 "Custodian (Ruppell’s Vulture)" Graphite Pencil on Arches #300 watercolor paper 10 x 17 Robert is extremely honored to announce that his drawing “ Custodian (Ruppell’s Vulture) " has been selected to appear at the prestigious Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum’s “ Birds in Art ” 2013 exhibition. The exhibit will run from September 7–November 10, 2013, at Wausau, Wisconsin, museum. Organized annually since 1976 by the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum , “ Birds in Art ” presents the very best contemporary artistic interpretations of birds and related subject matter. Each year, a jury selects approximately 100 works to take part in the exhibit. This year, 605 artists from around the world submitted 974 pieces of art. Robert is one of 94 juried artists selected for the exhibit; the show will al...

I am very honored to announce that my new drawing “ Kutokua Na Hatia (Colobus Monkey) ” has been selected for the prestigious Society of Animal Artists exhibition, Art and the Animal . “Art and the Animal” 53rd Annual Exhibition of the Society of Animal Artists Bennington Center for the Arts Bennington, Vermont August 31 - October 31, 2013 “ Kutokua Na Hatia (Colobus Monkey) ” Graphite Pencil on Arches #300 watercolor paper 15 x 6 Robert’s drawing “ Kutokua Na Hatia (Colobus Monkey) ” has been selected to appear at the Society of Animal Artists exhibition “ Art and the Animal ,” August 31 through October 31, 2013, at the Bennington Center for the Arts in Bennington, Vermont. This is the society’s 53rd annual exhibition of the world’s best wildlife artists. The jury this year had the overwhelming task of selecting from 374 submissions by 234 artists. The Bennington Center for the Arts brings world-class fine art, history and theatre to the re...

"Margin (Lioness)" travels to Bennington, Vermont Art of the Animal Kingdom XVIII Bennington Center for the Arts Bennington, Vermont June 15 - August 25, 2013 "Margin (Lioness)" Graphite Pencil on Arches #300 watercolor paper 5 x 19 Robert's drawing "Margin (Lioness)" has been selected to appear at the 2013 Art of the Animal Kingdom exhibitions, June 15 through August 25, 2013, in Bennington, Vermont. The Bennington Center for the Arts brings world-class fine art, history and theatre to the residents and visitors of Southwestern Vermont. The center's permanent art collection, sales exhibitions, live theatre and exhibits within the Covered Bridge Museum are available throughout the year. Considered one of the most prestigious wildlife exhibitions in the country, this year's Art of the Animal Kingdom features 65 pieces of art. Carel Brest van Kempen is this year's special guest artist and juror of the exhibi...