Inspiration for "Portrait of a Mother"

Because we were in the world famous Danum Valley Conservation Area, we were in one of the best places to see orangutan, and we were lucky enough to see one almost every day. These large patient gentle mothers bear only one offspring every 8 or so years, and keep the young one with them ( there is a lot to teach it!) for up to 10 years. A quote from Dr Dionysius Sharma, Executive director of WWF Malaysia - "Have you ever gazed into the eyes of an orangutan who knows you mean it no harm?...Each encounter leaves me humbled beyond words. I have seen such innocence in them. Wisdom superior to many men. Intelligence without ego. Love. Gentleness.  And in some, a great sadness."

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