ARTIST: R G Finney (Wyoming, late 20 century)
NAME: Ocelot Mother with Cub Sitting in Grass
YEAR: 1994
MEDIUM: oil on canvas
CONDITION: Unstretched. Very good. No visible inpaint under UV light.
SIGHT SIZE: 17 x 17 inches / 43 x 43 cm
MAT SIZE: 23 x 24 inches / 58 x 60 cm
SIGNATURE: lower right
NOTE: This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood Porcelain Plate for The Endangered Kingdom Collection Rain Forest Respite. Perfectly camouflaged to blend into the sun-and-shadow world of their surroundings, a mother Ocelot and her kitten listen intently to the myriad sounds emanating from the rain forest. If they are certain no danger is approaching, or that nothing worth eating is coming their way, mother and kitten will continue their respite until darkness falls and the time to hunt is at hand. Ocelots, like all cats, are highly-effective predators. Although most of their prey -- such as mice, rats and guinea pigs -- are on the small side, Ocelots will and do pursue larger quarry. It's not unusual for these industrious felines to dine on an occasional monkey or young deer. At home in forest or brushland, Ocelots adapt well to different types of environments. Their territory extends from Central America to the south-western United States. In cooler climes, Ocelots most often bear their young in the spring. In tropical areas, births occur during any season. Caves or tree hollows serve as dens for these elusive animals. Once quite common throughout their range, Ocelots are now considered an endangered species. Over the years, these rare and beautiful animals have been hunted relentlessly for their magnificent coats. And the slashing and burning of Central America's rain forests has taken its toll as well.
PROVENANCE: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation
CATEGORY: antique vintage painting
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SKU#: 117593
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BIOGRAPHY:
Wildlife artist, R.G. Finney began by painting cowboys in the 1980s.His art career was preceded by a youth spent in Canada until the age of 16 and then he moved with his family to Florida. Finney worked as an electrician for awhile after graduating from high school, before he enlisted in the Army and served as a Green Beret in Vietnam. Finney quit the military after 13 years to return to school. He attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.Finney and his wife moved to Embankment, Wyoming, her hometown and there he began to paint full time. After Finney's initial gallery success, he worked to build his own client base. Soon he could cut back to just the spring shows and devoted the rest of the year to painting.Today, Finney is under contract with Fulson Graphics to produce six major pieces a year for four years. Finney paints, "for my own joy and don't really try to please anybody. I've found that to be a great formula."