Dear Friends of the Whales,

I’m an artist originally from Austria but currently living in the UK. In May 2007 a dream came true as I was diving into the ultramarine crystal-clear water of the oceans. That’s where the story of Whale of a Time began.

I was looking for answers on my journey through life… and I found it in nature… when I came across a video on YouTube about the needless slaughter of dolphins and whales, I felt a deep sense of connection with these animals and that I needed to do something.

My solution was to help people to connect and I created profiles for endangered species at www.myspace.com/voiceofthewhale

Scientifically we still don't know a great deal about these incredible creatures. We found out only in 2007 that whales can live for up to 130 years when a lance used by whalers in the 1800s was found inside a massive bowhead whale caught by Alaska's Inupiat people during their traditional subsistence hunt.

How can it be right to kill creatures that outlive us and weigh 2,500 times more than we do? It is frightening to imagine that these giant mammals could disappear from our planet after having evolved for over 18 million years, some 13 millions years longer than the human race has been around.
 
What is our human intelligence for if not to put a stop to this and other inhumanities? Will we go down in history as the species that managed to drive most other species to extinction and the planet to destruction? Or can we change ourselves to create a more positive and harmonious future?

I realised that I could use my skills as an artist to raise awareness of endangered species and began to run clay-modelling workshops in summer 2007. Clay comes from the earth itself and is an ideal material to convey a message of connecting with nature.

At a Whale of a Time Species Modelling Workshop, children and adults engage with environmental issues as they make models of their favourite marine species. The workshop aims to create an environmentally conscious community, to connect people of all ages with nature and give everyone the chance to get creative and have a whale of a time! At the 2007 Earl’s Court Boat Show more than 500 people used their artistic skills to sculpt dolphins, starfish, whales, octopi, sharks, frogs and even a penguin with a snorkel. Celebrity attendees included Hollywood actress Elle Macpherson and famous rower Dom Mee who crossed the Atlantic.

Whale of a Time was present at the Streatham Festival 08, which is a family event and the perfect place to chill out and get creative while connecting with nature at Streatham Common. Claire Horan, Streatham Festival Manager said, “Thanks so much for Saturday. You worked so hard and had a constant flow of kids and parents. There was such a wonderful energy in your space and I hope you had a good day.”

At the website www.whaleofatime.org artists can express themselves through artwork that says something positive about the environment. The project has expanded and developed into a community of environmental artists who take their inspiration from nature to create their artwork and participate in Whale of a Time Events.
Anyone can become a Whale of a Time Artist and join the community of painters, sculptors, musicians, filmmakers, photographers, writers and poets. See their profiles at http://www.whaleofatime.org/artists.php. All you need do is create a personal profile and upload your biography and artwork. You can then share your inspirations with the world by leaving comments in the forum and by posting and reading news on our blog. You can also find upcoming events and workshops at http://www.whaleofatime.org/projects.php

Come and join the Whale of a Time Community!

Please donate and help me to keep doing this really exciting work for the youth and community. All funds will be used for the educational work of Whale of a Time.

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Centre For Innovation In Voluntary Action gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!

Thank you and have a whale of a time!

Irene

www.whaleofatime.org