These beautiful and powerful marine mammals are threatened due to ongoing and potential loss of their sea ice habitat resulting from climate change. I love the live tundra buggy cam videos of polar bear migration on explore.org. Seeing them in their own habitat instead of a zoo is magical.

This piece, by RG Pettit, is 10" x 10" oil on linen.

Second in the series "The Responsibility of Man: Endangered/Extinct Animals." Chimpanzees are so like humans in behavior: they bond with family, form alliances using politics, and make tools to acquire food, among many other traits. Jane Goodall has made her life mission to save this species, and educate the rest of the world of their plight, as well as other species at risk. Chimpanzees in captivity have recently been added to the endangered list, which protects them from inhumane treatment.

It was pure pleasure getting to "know" this chimp through studying his face.

This painting was a Judge's Pick on Daily Paintworks for October 2015, and was selected to be in the Small Works Exhibit in November 2015 at Georgetown Art Center.