The original painting, HMS Warspite, The Old Lady Bombarding the Beaches, Normandy”, oil on canvas 48 x 30 inches was commissioned by RN Provost Marshall Headquarters, HMS Drake, Plymouth, where it now hangs in the Mess.   You can now purchase a limited edition print of this masterpiece from the Limited Edition Shop.

The following story appears courtesy of SA Times (www.satimes.co.uk)

Shapiro prints to raise money for SA charity
Tuesday, 08 April 2008

Once again an artist steps up to the plate: the proceeds of the Shapiro auction will empower communities and enable individuals to reach their full potential.

IN October last year SA Times featured an article on acclaimed Staffordshire artist, Derek Shapiro, who completed a collection of ten oil paintings of the wildlife of South Africa entitled The Big Five. These paintings are to be auctioned to raise money for the charity Project Gateway.

The auction is still in its planning stages, but a limited edition print of the painting Confrontation is now available to purchase. Further editions from the collection will be released later in the year. Each print will be signed by Derek Shapiro and proceeds from the sale of these editions will go to Project Gateway.

The charity, based in Pietermaritzburg in Kwa-Zulu-Natal, has a number of projects that aim to empower communities and restore individuals to their full potential.The projects include business development, HIV/Aids counselling as well as education and childcare, to name only a few. It is hoped that each of the paintings will raise between £8 000 and £15 000 for Project Gateway.

After visiting South Africa, Derek was so moved by the work the charity was undertaking, he decided to complete a collection of wildlife studies rather than a single one in the hope of raising more money. Since October, the paintings have been touring the UK, including a four day exhibition at South Africa House.

The evening reception event at South Africa House was attended by Pastor Jabulani Mnculwane, Chairperson of Project Gateway, Di Milford, Director of Project Gateway, Reg Witchard, UK Trust President, and Chantelle Naidoo, Third Secretary: Political of South Africa House. The artist was also there.

In April the exhibition will be visiting the Cheshire Spring Fine Art and Antiques Fair at Tatton Park, Knutsford. Prints of the painting Confrontation will be available to buy and Derek will be in attendance. All names of SA Times readers who purchase Confrontation will be entered into a draw and the lucky person will receive an Artists Proof of the next edition free of charge as well as having his or her name carried forward to the release of the next and further editions.

A limited edition lithograph of 17x20 inches costs £295.00 and a framed and mounted print costs £365.00. Orders for these prints can be made by sending an email to info@countrygallery.co.uk or telephonically by calling Country Gallery on 01630 647345 or mobile number 07746 001904. Alternatively, you could write to Country Gallery, Slater's Craft Village, Stone Road, Maer, Newcastle, Staffs, ST5 5ED.

Coming soon, a fine bone china English Loving Cup depicting the Big Five paintings, Elephant, Leopard, Lion, Black Rhino and Buffalo. On the front of each cup will be a reproduction of the large painting with a head study of each of the animals set in a panel on the reverse, finished with 22crt gold gilding to the foot of the cup, rims and handles, making up Five cups in all.

A collection of African wildlife paintings to be sold by auction in April 2008 in aid of the charity Project Gateway. Details for the auction of the paintings and limited edition prints will follow. Contact Derek Shapiro direct for further information. Preview a selection of the paintings in the South African wildlife gallery.South African wildlife gallery at www.shapirofineart.com.