Rhyncholaelia digbyana. Photography credit: Felix

Ariel Valencia - Reader Spotlight

Conservation

by Anu Dharmani

Originally published in BellaOnline

Posted by Sys Admin almost 7 years ago.


This article references Rl. digbyana.
Article Blog   Article Index

Inspiration can come from all sorts of things. The greatness lies not in seeking fame but in continuing the effort and doing your work with conviction. We are surrounded by talented people. Only a few make it to the limelight, while many remain unsung and unrecognised. However, internet has brought to fore many of these unknown people. I have been inspired by lot of my readers who have been communicating with me through my articles here on ‘Orchids’ site. 

One such person is Ariel Valencia. Some time back I was in communication with him. I was impressed by his efforts on conservation of animal and plant life of Mexico. A lot of different views are circulating around on the subject of conservation. Most of the talk on conservation is focused on government intervention, requiring a lot of funds; like setting up nature reserves, germplasm banks/libraries, as well as trying in-situ or ex-situ conservation. There are, however, other more individualistic ways of conservation, such as generating awareness through drawings and photographs.

That is what Ariel has been doing. My contact with him started when he sent me photographs and hand drawings of Orquidea rhyncholaelia digbyana. He sent me a few of his other illustrations too. I was highly impressed and was compelled to ask what about his work. I got to know that he paints and takes photographs of plants and animals. The photographs that he sent were those of orchids and insects. He had taken down every intricate detail of the specimens. 

Highlighting on conservation of threatened and endangered species, he is working to bring awareness of the natural wealth in the general public in cities. Through his illustrations, painting and photographs he aims to bring conservation to fore in an aesthetic way and help save these plants and animals from extinction. 

Ariel informed me that his work has been put on display in exhibitions and has also been sold in galleries. He has published his work in diverse catalogues as well as in scientific journals. He summarizes his work as a way to express the essence of a subject; be it an insect, a plant or an animal in such a way as to familiarize it to the common man. I hope to see more of his beautiful work and wish him all the very best for the future.

Time has no master, yet it is slave to those who respect it. It is definitely the time to wake up to the fading glory of our planet. We need to save it and appreciate the efforts of those who are working to save it.

Share on Social Media:  
Log in to Add a Comment

New Topics

  1. Nancy Shapiro asked question Where did you find this type of orchid pot? in category General Discussion
  2. Charles H Wood asked question Orchids wanted St.Croix usvi in category General Discussion
  3. William Gorski asked question Is this a species or Primary Hybrid? in category General Discussion
  4. Therese Stecher asked question Banrot 40WP in category General Discussion
  5. Chen Jimmy asked question How to determine the species composition? in category General Discussion

New Comments

  1. Dianne Mayne commented on topic "Banrot 40WP" by Therese Stecher
  2. Linda Thorne commented on member plant Paphiopedilum Munchkin Mopsi Aru by Linda Thorne
  3. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Orchids wanted St.Croix usvi" by Charles H Wood
  4. William Gorski commented on topic "Is this a species or Primary Hybrid?" by William Gorski
  5. Henry Shaw commented on member plant Coel. Jannine Banks 'Snow White' by Henry Shaw
  6. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Trichocentrum luridum" by Danny Lyon
  7. Carol Holdren commented on topic "What is the culture for Cattliante Chongkolnee" by Mike Minney
  8. Carol Holdren commented on topic "How to determine the species composition?" by Chen Jimmy
  9. Lois Lane commented on member plant Ctna. Why Not by Alex Maximiano
  10. Carol Holdren commented on topic "SSPECIES OF ORCHID" by JENNIFER CHARMAN
  11. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Why can't I post on this site? " by Lois Lane
  12. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Historic Cattleya" by Karen Johansen
  13. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Encyclia aspera" by William Woodcock
  14. Jim McGuinn commented on topic "Designing a greenhouse for orchid growing" by Ron Hellendall
  15. Mark Bennett commented on member plant Sarcochilus Newbold Alta 'SBC092' by Mark Bennett
  16. Mark Bennett commented on member plant Sarcochilus Newbold High Noon 'SB140' by Mark Bennett
  17. Carol Holdren commented on orchid Epi. Moonlight Firefies
  18. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on topic "Paph Support" by Nicholas Levendosky
  19. Rosemary Chenery commented on topic "Lost tag - can anyone provide a name" by Rosemary Chenery
  20. Taylor Savage commented on topic "Myrmecatavola Frances Fox" by Elizabeth Wagner