Collected Moments of Survival

  The Quiet Council Collected Moments of Survival There is a particular stillness that settles over the Auob River at dawn. Not silence—but a presence. A sense that something ancient is unfolding just beyond the reach of sound. It was there, in the dry riverbed of the Auob River , that I came across them—four giraffe standing together in quiet formation. Not scattered, not feeding, not moving on. Simply… gathered. A council. This work, The Quiet Council , is my attempt to capture that moment. A fleeting alignment of grace, awareness, and survival. The Giraffe of the Kgalagadi The giraffe found in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park are the Angolan giraffe ( Giraffa giraffa angolensis ), a subspecies uniquely adapted to the arid conditions of this stark and beautiful landscape. They were reintroduced to the park in the late 1990s , after having disappeared from the region decades earlier. Since then, they have not only survived—they have quietly reclaimed their place. Today, they are...

There are moments in the African bush when you realise you are no longer the observer. Something far more powerful is watching you back. I was driving slowly through Kruger National Park , scanning the bushveld, when I noticed sudden movement on the ground. A large shadow swooped low — a Martial Eagle had struck and taken down a White-faced Whistling Duck . The moment lasted barely a second, but the intensity of it lingered like the echo of thunder. The eagle’s talons clutched the duck, and for a heartbeat the bush was still. Then it saw me. Time seemed to slow. My heart beat in rhythm with the flapping wings as the eagle lifted from its kill, massive wings stirring the warm air around me. It flew to a nearby tree and perched there, watching. Its eyes — sharp, calculating — followed every tiny movement I made. The pale duck lay frozen below, the prize of a hunt that could be lost in an instant. I felt a shiver run down my spine. The raw power of the eagle, its commanding presence...

For many years, my work unfolded through encounters with animals in the wild — moments gathered during travel, observation, and long periods of waiting. I wrote about some of these encounters, photographed many more, and slowly translated a number of them into artworks. At the time, I understood this simply as practice: moving through landscapes, noticing what revealed itself, and trying to hold those moments with care. Over time, a different understanding began to form. What I was witnessing was not only beauty, rarity, or even vulnerability, but something quieter and more constant — endurance . Animals continuing within landscapes increasingly shaped by human proximity. Movements adjusted. Timings altered. Paths remembered. Survival not as a single dramatic event, but as a continuous, attentive act. The name Collected Moments of Survival has emerged from this realisation. It is not a departure from my earlier work, but a clearer articulation of what has always been present with...

I have been lucky enough to be a resident Artist at a very special place, nestled on the edge of the Namib Naukluft Reserve in Namibia. A hidden gem known as Schlesien , an artist's retreat where tranquility and natural beauty merge seamlessly. This sanctuary is not just a place on the map; it is a state of mind, a haven for those seeking solace and inspiration in the heart of one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. The Oasis of Schlesien Schlesien is not your typical retreat; it's a sanctuary where the rhythm of life slows down, and the connection with nature deepens. As you arrive at this remote location, you are greeted by the sight of Hartmann Zebras grazing peacefully in the golden light of the Namibian sun. These majestic creatures are not just inhabitants of the reserve; they are protectors of the land, sharing their home with those who seek refuge in its tranquility. The Stone Cottage Your accommodation at Schlesien is a beautiful stone cottage, blending har...

My apologies for the "grey" background - its actually white but computers often make decisions of their own. There has to be a story. If there isn’t then, to me, its just a mindless little sketch that anyone could come up with.   One of the exciting things about travel is that there is a story to tell and my travels have taken me far and wide around the continent of Africa. And it’s there that I get my stories. You may have heard along the grapevine that I have managed, somehow, to get one of my artworks into the finals of The David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year 2024 #dsway. For those of you who haven’t heard of this event, it takes place every year and has been dubbed the Oscars of the Wildlife Art World! High praise indeed for an event that not only raises the game for artists but also puts Wildlife Conservation front and centre. The exhibition is at the prestigious Mall Galleries in London and this year, my artwork It’s Mine will hang on the walls. I thought, theref...

A desert lioness meets up with a porcupine on a dune amidst swirling mists on the Skeleton Coast of Namibia. (Photograph that inspired this artwork was supplied by Desert Lion Conservation). The Resilient Namibian Desert Lions of the Skeleton Coast Namibia's Skeleton Coast is a harsh and unforgiving landscape known for its rugged beauty and extreme conditions. Amidst the red desert sands and rocky shoreline, a special population of lions has adapted to survive in this challenging environment - the Namibian Desert Lions. These majestic creatures have captured the hearts of conservationists and tourists alike, but their existence is threatened by a myriad of challenges. Challenges The Namibian Desert Lions face a host of challenges that make survival in the Skeleton Coast a constant struggle. One of the main issues they face is human-wildlife conflict, as the lions often come into contact with local communities who see them as a threat to their livestock. This leads to retaliatory ki...