An International Traveling Exhibition 
by Calley O'Neill and the Rama Team, Featuring Rama, the Artist Elephant
A JOURNEY OF ART AND SOUL FOR THE EARTH 
RAMA: AMBASSADOR FOR THE ENDANGERED ONES
Speaking Passionately on Behalf of Those who Cannot Speak
by Calley O’Neill and Rama the Elephant with Jeb Barsh
THE RIGHT TO EXIST

Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

STATUS: IUCN  Least concern as a species.  
Preliminary population estimates suggest that there is a decline in the total population has taken place, which if sustained could mean the species will warrant listing in a higher category of threat. Efforts are currently underway to census giraffe populations more accurately, which will enable a more thorough determination of the conservation status of species.  Giraffes are currently listed by the IUCN as Least Concern as a species.  Endangered: G.C. peralta (West African or Nigerian giraffe).  Endangered: G.C. rothschildi (Rothschild’s or Baringo giraffe) Not listed by CITES.  In 1999, the IUCN estimated the number of giraffes over 140,000, 40% of which are protected.  Habitat losses from increasing human development, hunting and poaching continue to threaten this at-risk species. Approximately 5,000 remain in the wild and about 450 live in zoos.

Has painting always been this mysterious?  I ask myself as I witness the giraffe named Akeem, appearing seemingly effortlessly on canvas.  Is Rama doing this?  My being?  The muses?  Was it you, Akeem coming to life? 

​When I began this painting, I sat in silence for hours in front of Rama's work, not knowing what animal would emerge. In perfect clarity, the way was revealed. Akeem was already there. In every piece the design was revealed in Rama's breath and power. I am so grateful to be the hands of skill for something so much wiser and greater than I am. I kiss Akeem's head and paint another stroke.  

Of special note in this painting is the very nature of interweaving -- in this interspecies collaboration.  The brown parts of the giraffe's coat are the original paint applied by Rama.  Over and around this original paint, I was able to find the coat, complete in its perfection, white and brown blending beautifully together to portray the actual configuration of Akeem's unique spots.

by Calley O'Neill and Rama the elephantwith Jeb Barsh
by Calley O'Neill and Rama the elephantwith Jeb Barsh
by Calley O'Neill and Rama the elephantwith Jeb Barshby Calley O'Neill and Rama the elephantwith Jeb Barshby Calley O'Neill and Rama the elephantwith Jeb Barsh
by Calley O'Neill and Rama the elephantwith Jeb Barsh
"This was the one animal that I painted that I kept kissing at the end of each painting session, or as I spoke to a friend about it. It was a spontaneous and repeating little ritual of love and appreciation." Calley O'Neill
At The Wildlife Artist of the Year Exhibition in London with famed wildlife artist David Shepherd, Founder of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. Two of the Rama paintings were among the 100 entries out of 700 international entries in the exhibition at the prestigious Mall Galleries.
David Shephard listens with interest as Calley shares with him about The Rama Exhibition.
The beloved Akeem, a reticulated giraffe native to Africa, was born in the Denver Zoo on April 29, 1987 and moved to the Oregon Zoo in June 1988. Over 16’ tall, he was 24 when he died in 2012 of old age after a wonderful life as a well-known ambassador for his species.
Giraffes are certainly some of my favorite animals.  I  have always loved these exotics creatures, tallest terrestrial animal, and among the most beautiful and intriguing animals the world has ever known.They have fascinated people all over the world since ancient times. The beloved Akeem, a reticulated giraffe, also known as a Somali giraffe, native to Africa, was born in the Denver Zoo on April 29, 1987 and moved to the Oregon Zoo in June 1988.  Over 16’ tall, he was 24 when he died in 2012 of old age after a wonderful life as a well-known ambassador for his species.  Giraffes are considered especially long lived for ruminants, and can live up to 25 years in the wild.

Smali giraffes are native to northeastern Kenya, southern Ethiopia and Somalia.  They thrive in savannas, grasslands and open woodlands, browsing especially on the twigs of the Acacia, myrrh, and bushwillow trees and shrubs.  Like other ruminants, their stomachs have four chambers and their intestines measure over 250’ in length!  They eat fruits as well as leaves and twigs.  The average weight of males is about 3,500 pounds and females weigh in at around 1,800 pounds. 

A giraffe’s heart can weigh more than 25 pounds, which beats rather fast at about 150 beats per minute. Their neck vertebrae can be nearly a foot tall. 

Giraffes are mostly quiet animals and they live in communities that are loosely structured and ever changing.  Some are quite social.

The painting reference photograph of Akeem is by Michael Durham, Oregon Zoo photographer. Each of the exhibition paintings is available as a finely crafted giclee, printed by Paul McCormick of Waimea on Hawai’I Island, and has been inspected, signed and numbered by artist Calley O’Neill.

Calley O'Neill with her mom, Anne Tsigounis, who funded Calley's expedition to the Wildlife Artist of the Year Exhibition in London.
"Hi Calley,

I just today actually looked at that card you gave Susan with the Rama paintings. While I do truly love both the idea, and the reality of this elephant's painting, I was especially knocked out by the beauty and fabulous detail of your giraffe - I feel like I know that giraffe!. really terrific.                         
                                                        Peter"