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Xin Xin resides in Chapultapec Park Zoo in Mexico City and is the last giant panda in Latin America. We were luck enough to see her upon a visit earlier in 2024 and I was entranced.
Don’t be concerned, pandas are solitary creatures so living on her own is not a cruelty. We could debate whether zoos are a good thing or not, however it was the only opportunity I am likely to get of seeing a panda so I grabbed it. I spent a very happy time sketching and observing her and wanted to celebrate the encounter.
This one of a pair of paintings of pandas was the result. It is painted in ink and watercolour on canvas with a metal leaf textured background and it featured in Artists and Illustrator’s magazine, where I explained the story and the process. For me, I do not want to simply paint a random animal, I like to have a connection. The background is a damask pattern as a nod to the Chinese heritage and the gold celebrates her fame.
By the way, did you know pandas have slit pupils like cats? Sadly, I did not get close enough to check this fact out!
You might also be interested in a second portrait of Xin Xin the panda, which I have recently completed.
