A sensitive coloured pencil work of a young gorilla, entitled ‘Reverie’ by artist Leslie Evans, has been voted the People’s Choice in the 2010 David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s Wildlife Artist of the Year competition. Leslie’s work received the most votes from visitors to the exhibition at London’s Mall Galleries and online.

Leslie, a self-taught American artist specializing in vibrant coloured pencil renderings of endangered wildlife won her first major award with ‘Silverback’, a gorilla portrait that took top honours in the United Kingdom Coloured Pencil Society’s 6th Annual International Exhibition. Today she is a signature member of the Society of Animal Artists and Artists For Conservation. “I want people who enjoy my art to take the plight of endangered species very seriously and to learn more about which organizations are making a difference.”

Leslie had three of her works short-listed for the 2010 Wildlife Artist of the Year competition all of which sold during the exhibition with fifty percent going as a donation to help save critically endangered mammals through the event’s charity organizer the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. She also received a number of commission enquiries.

Delighted to win the accolade, Leslie said: "When I was told Reverie was chosen for the People's Choice award I was totally surprised and elated! It is such an honour to win among so many talented and gifted artists! I feel very fortunate that all three of my submissions were not only short listed into this prestigious event but also sold! Knowing that half of the show’s proceeds will go towards endangered species’ conservation is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. I feel great pride that my work has been chosen for this award and look forward to participating in the future."