2024 Wildlife Art Auction by Sarah

WELCOME to that beautiful time of year when we clean up shop in preparation for new adventures! This holiday season, we have some great things for you, including

ORIGINAL WILDLIFE ART: Only FOUR paintings remain from my Diversity of Life Collection that kickstarted my YouTube tutorial channel. You can watch how I created each painting as you admire them in your home!

ARCHIVED PRINTS: This week, I am releasing 12 new limited-edition to 5 prints over at smccombturbitt.com, which means the SIX prints I have from archived print editions are joining the auction this year to make space! This is the LAST TIME these wildlife paintings will be available as prints. Check out some of these prints in person at the Frog Ponds Cafe in Owen Sound.

CARDS: A fan favourite - you receive a new wildlife card each month throughout 2025! In some months, the support from my monthly card subscription has been my only income, and the relief I feel knowing so many of my business expenses are covered by this brings overwhelming gratitude. Thank you to everyone who enjoys receiving this surprise in the mail.

You can start bidding at 5 pm EST on Thursday, November 21, and the auction concludes at 7 pm EST on Sunday, December 1.

Before you start your bidding, please take a minute to read over the important information below so everything is predictable during the auction and when the auction is finished.

1. Each piece of original artwork is a unique creation, hand-signed by me. It comes with a certificate of authenticity, ensuring its provenance, and a pair of white cotton gloves to handle the artwork upon delivery, preserving its pristine condition.

2. As a commitment to conservation, I pledge to donate 15% of the proceeds from each sale. These donations have significantly impacted organizations such as Wildlife Preservation Canada, Falkland Conservation, the Society for Marine Mammalogy Conservation Fund, and the Western Australian Ocean Foundation.

3. A base shipping fee on all paintings will be added to your winning bid total to keep things streamlined and efficient. Local pickup from my studio in Owen Sound, ON, is free.

4. Each painting has a 'Buy Now' option where the price is set at the current market value. This lets you buy the painting immediately and take it out of bidding contention.

5. I have enabled proxy bidding for this sale to keep things easier across all time zones. A proxy bid allows you to enter the maximum amount you are willing to spend on your painting of choice, and then it lets the system bid for you up to that exact amount. For example, if an item is selling for $10 and you enter a proxy bid of $50, the system will automatically keep up with bidding for you until the selling price exceeds $50. You will be outbid at that point, and someone else will be the leading bidder. If you are the successful bidder, you will only owe the amount the system has bid for you, which will never exceed your maximum proxy bid amount. This option is fantastic for those who can't be near their computer at all times or may be away at the close of the auction.

6. I am also enabling the Extended Bidding option for this event. The Extended Bidding option automatically extends an item's end time by 3 minutes when it receives a bid during the final 3 minutes of the sale. This process repeats until no new bids are received during the final 3 minutes of the item bidding window or the auction has been extended for 30 minutes beyond the original end time. Again, this is in place to factor in all variables across different time zones and varying internet connections.

7. All payments must be made within 24 hours of the close of the online auction. You can pay via any major Credit Card through the auction. Also, please note that all sales are final.

That about covers it all! If you have any questions during the sale, please don't hesitate to email me at sarah@smccombturbitt.com. Have fun bidding, everyone! I can't wait to see where these pieces of my soul end up, and I hope they bring joy to your day today!

Sarah, a Marine Biologist turned artist and new mom, has spent her life dedicated to wildlife conservation. Born and returned to Grey Bruce, her journey from researching whales and penguins to the vibrant art world has created a unique collision point between the science and art worlds in a rapidly expanding field. Now, from her studio in Owen Sound, Ontario, she captures both wildlife and her adventures in paint. As a signature member of Artists for Conservation, Sarah shares a united vision to preserve and sustain our natural heritage. Her work is not just art but a powerful tool to capture the unique behaviours of animals and foster a deeper appreciation for our planet's diversity. Sarah's ultimate goal is to enhance the connection between the viewer and the natural world and create a window into the sentimental moments in the lives of animals. Since transitioning to painting full-time in 2020, she has supported conservation with every wildlife work created, underlining her unwavering commitment to the cause.