Serengeti Magic
One of my passions next to art is conservation. My belief is the animals of this beautiful earth should be protected and walk upon this soil with the safety and assurance that mankind wants and should have.
Protect our Beautiful Species -
They are God’s Creation!
God's Endangered Animals: Awakening Conservation for Future Generations
Stefan Russell Sanford, Liberty University (Scholars Crossing, MFA Thesis)
‘Preserving the Animals of Our Earth’
Illustrated for the Disney Family Museum and presented through the Diane Disney Miller Exhibition for Earth Day, April 22, 2021.
Walt Disney was a conservationist and the Diane Disney Miller Exhibition Hall celebrated our planet. I illustrated an original drawing for this exhibition which was chosen to be one of those celebrating.
Enjoy our beautiful planet!
“Conservation isn’t just the business of a few people. It’s a matter that concerns all of us. It’s a science whose principles are written in the oldest code in the world, the laws of nature. The natural resources of our vast continent are not inexhaustible. But if we will use our riches wisely, if we will protect our wildlife and preserve our lakes and streams, these things will last us for generations to come.”
—Walt Disney
In celebration of Earth Day, this exhibition was inspired by Walt Disney’s passion for stories based on our natural environment and his commitment to the protection of our planet. Walt Disney is not only celebrated for his lasting impact on our culture through the pioneering and perfecting of animation, family entertainment, and theme parks, but also for his reverence of nature and support for habitat conservation. Consistently ahead of his time, Walt recognized the importance of inspiring younger generations to understand and actively protect our natural world.
The museum honored Walt Disney’s commitment to conservation awareness with remarkable works from our global community.
The history and story of the famous circus elephant, Jumbo, has been studied for 100 years. It is believed after much research that Jumbo, who saw his mother murdered when he was very young, her body slaughtered and stripped of her tusks left a terrifying impression on the young elephant. He was taken far from the herd and home he knew. Jumbo was chained in a stable at zoos and was forced to perform in a circus.
It is believed that Jumbo suffered from PTSD. Elephants have memories, and the death of his mother and being separated from the herd affected Jumbo, leaving him emotionally wounded and depressed.
In St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, in 1885, while travelling with the circus, Jumbo was hit by a train and killed. It is believed in the moment he was able to move freely enough from his chains, Jumbo chose to commit suicide. Although this was written down as a train accident, theorists who have studied Jumbo’s history differ.
Jumbo lived a short and abused life for an elephant (Jumbo, 1861 -1885).
Medium - Pen and Marker
Medium - Pen, Marker, Charcoal
Original Conservation Website - Preserving Our Natural Resources
Original Conservation Website - Preserving Our Vanishing Species