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Juan Varela
AFC ANF MS
Wildlife Artist, Illustrator, Biologist |
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I was born in Madrid, Spain, in August 1950, most likely with a pencil in my hand. Although I grew up in a big town, I was always in close contact with Nature.
I studied biology at the University while learning to use brushes and watercolours. I got a master degree in Animal Behaviour but it was birds which caught my interest soon after. I worked in biological research for some years, both in Spain and North Africa, studying seabirds’ ecology and behaviour with grants of the International Union for Nature Conservation who sponsored our project to protect endangered species.
I was appointed as Director of the Spanish Ornitological Society SEO/BirdLife, a post that I held from 1986 to 1990. During that time I contributed to the creation of MEDMARAVIS (France, 1986) an association for the conservation of the Mediterranean biodiversity.
I started to illustrate wildlife in 1976 and since then I’ve published 18 books as main author, and I’ve been the editor of several publications, including a three volume one on art and nature. My bird guide Birds of Spain is a best seller in our country.
From 1994 on, I collaborate with the Artist for Nature Foundation (ANF, Holland), for which I am the official representative in Spain, participating in several of its projects on art and nature conservation (Alaska, Peru, Israel, UK, etc.). I have exhibited in museums and galleries in different countries, including the States, and I’ve been selected for several editions of Birds in Art annual show at the Woodson Art Museum (Wausau, Wisconsin) and for the Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA) exhibit at the Mall Galeries in London.
I paint mostly birds, but also other animals and landscapes. I work from life, painting on site with the help of telescope and binoculars. Pencil and watercolour are my favourite field techniques but I use oil, acrylic and other media in the studio. In recent years I’ve started to do some abstract work not strictly related to wildlife.
For years I’ve given art courses in Natural Parks and other similar spaces, but also for some departments of Fine Arts. I’ve tried in this way to contribute to the development of wildlife art in Spain.
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Support for Conservation:
Artist for Nature Foundation (ANF), Holland
SEO/BirdLife, Spain
BirdLife International, UK
Artist for Conservation
Collections:
Private and public collections
Sa Nostra, Palma de Mallorca.
Caja de Ahorros de Segovia, Segovia.
SEO/BirdLife, Madrid.
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau.
Artist for Nature Foundation, Holanda.
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Madrid.
Fundación Territorio y Paisaje, Caixa Catalunya, Barcelona.
Some Commissions from National and International bodies
Spanish Ministery of Environment
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
BirdLife International
Madrid Council
Barcelona Council
Bank Central Hispano
Bank Caixa Catalunya
IUCN (International Union for Nature Conservation)
Publications:
- Las Aves en el Museo del Prado (2011)
More about Las Aves en el Museo del Prado
Co-Editor - "The Birds at El Prado Museum" is a careful study of the presence of bird species in the paintings of El Prado Museum (Madrid). The research work took more than one year to identify every single bird species depicted by the old masters.
ISBN: 978-84-937351-8-0
Author: Joaquín Gómez Camo
Published by: SEO/Birdlife & REE
- Between Sea and Land (2010)
More about Between Sea and Land
Author - Between Sea and Land is an artistic venture completed in 2008 and 2009. During four prolonged visits to the well known National park of Doñana (Southern Spain), the author created more than 80 watercolours, painted from life or from sketches made outdoors.
The works reflect the varied zones of the littoral ecosystems, from beaches to forests, and show a wide diversity of animal species and landscapes. The texts constitute a log of the journey, written in both English and Spanish.
Author: Juan Varela
Published by: Lynx Edicions
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- Please, see my website for a complete list of publications
Organization Membership:
- 1993 - Artist for Nature Foundation
http://www.artistsfornature.nl
ANF was created in 1991 to contribute to nature conservation through art. It has the support of many of the better known European and American Wildlife artists.
I'm the official representative of ANF in Spain
- 1989 - MEDMARAVIS
http://www.medmaravis.org
It´s a France based organization for there conservation of the Mediterranean basin and it's biodiversity. Its members are researchers from different fields of Zoology and Ecology disciplines.
I'm co-founder and Board member of this Society.
- 1976 - SEO/BirdLife
http://www.seo.org
The Spanish Ornithological Society was founded in 1950 and is the most prestigious scientific and conservation society in Spain and one of the leading ones in Europe. Its part of the Birdlife International partnership.
I'm member of SEO's Council
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Direct Correspondence to:
Juan Varela
c/o
Please see my website for contact
Madrid, Spain,
Tel:
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Home Page: http://www.juanvarela.com
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All rights reserved. All images and text © Copyright 2013 Juan Varela - Member of the Artists for Conservation Foundation (Formerly
the Worldwide Nature Artists Group) www.natureartists.com.
This site represents the original artwork (nature art and wildlife art) of nature
artist and wildlife artist of Juan Varela and is protected by international copyright laws. Use
of nature art, wildlife art or any other images or text from this site, requires
permission in writing from Juan Varela ().
This site is part of the Artists for Conservation (AFC) Web site. (Wildlife
Art - Nature Art - Conservation) Artists for Conservation is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to
nature art, wildlife art and conservation. On this site you will find world-class
nature art and wildlife art by today's leading nature artists & wildlife artists.
The AFC site is the Web's premier location for nature art, wildlife
artists
All content appearing in pages featuring Juan Varela is the sole responsibility of Juan Varela. The opinions expressed on these artists' pages are those of Juan Varela and do not necessarily reflect those of the Artists for Conservation
Foundationi (AFC).
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