African Wildlife

African wildlife

I have always had a deep love for our natural environment, whether I am trekking half way up a mountain chasing bears, or I am looking out over the ocean. The earth and all of it's inhabitants can be truly breathtaking, and is rarely uninspiring.

These days I am a little less mobile, so I have to resort to getting where I need to be at my own pace, which usually means limping along to the nearest 'green' spot, or local wildlife park when I can. I think that we should never be disappointed to manage to spend some time out of doors though. I find peace and quiet amongst the hedgerows and in the local woods - trail motorcycles excepted!

As far as Africa goes, I have been a little unfortunate in not being able to travel there - but one day I shall. My studies of African wildlife has had to be gleaned from visits to my local wildlife parks, reading, my friends excursions and of course watching David Attenborough DVD's until I practically know exactly what he is going to say next! (Thanks David for bringing a large part of nature to our living rooms.) I actually do use the television as a means of practicing art. I sketch what I see, and I have a huge pile of peculiar drawings, but some of them do manage to make it onto canvas at a later date. It does make a difference if you have a personal experience of the wildlife that you paint. Get involved somehow. Really pay attention when you are given an opportunity to observe an animal and its behaviour. Be respecful of the environment that you are visiting, whether nature or the local park, and paint with joy!