`The Iwokrama Rain Forest’, a 42-page book of watercolour paintings and line-drawings by the artist, Shirley Felts is the latest initiative in Iwokrama’s fund-raising drive.

They were painted by Felts during annual visits to the Iwokrama forests and the North Rupununi beginning in 1996,

The book, according to the acting Director-General of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development (IICRCD), Dr Graham Watkins, captures “the delights and fascination of the Iwokrama forest.”

It was launched at Castellani House on Tuesday evening, where enlarged copies and originals of paintings in the book were on display. Among those present were President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Sam Hinds and former president Mrs Janet Jagan.

Proceeds from the book will go to Iwokrama, which according to Ian McDonald and Vanda Radzik, co-editors of Kyk-Over-Al is “in return for fulfilling a life-long dream to paint the rain forest.”

Well known for her botanical paintings in London, she has in return for painting the rain forests donated the use and reproduction of the paintings, the sketches and the book itself to Iwokrama’s fund-raising drive. The printing of the publication was funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The suggested retail price is $2,500.

The book was said to have received an enormous amount of interest at the recent Green Expo held in Barbados.

In the foreword, Prince Charles, the patron of the centre, said that the work of American-born British-based artist, Felts in the book “lends itself to the spectacular array of colours, shapes and sights seen within the world of the tropical rain forest. I hope this book inspires you with its beauty and its message of fragility...”

In a preface President Bharrat Jagdeo noted that Felts captured “the regal majesty of several endangered species that can be found in Iwokrama in relative abundance including the black Caiman, harpy eagle, jaguar and giant otter.”

In her brief remarks, Felts thanked CIDA for the financial support to put the publication together as well as former director-general, Dr Kathryn Monk, David Cassells and Henry Tschinkel; current director, Dr Watkins; Fred Allicock of Surama and the staff at the Kurupukari Field Station and the people of Fairview “who welcomed me and tolerated my whole days of painting there”; and Colin and Velda Edwards of Rock View Lodge at Annai.