Collected Moments of Survival

  There is a strange discipline involved in drawing a zebra. The animal appears to offer the artist everything. Every stripe seems to demand attention. Every change in tone appears to need recording. The surface of the body is filled with subtle variations of texture, light and shadow. And when the subject is Hartmann's mountain zebra, there is an almost irresistible temptation to try to capture it all. For a long time, I thought that was what drawing was about. Looking carefully. Recording accurately. Leaving nothing out. But years of observing these animals have gradually taught me something rather different. Sometimes the most important part of a drawing is what I choose not to put into it. The more time I spent with the zebras, the less interested I became in simply reproducing their stripes. The pattern that makes a zebra immediately recognisable can also become a distraction. It is possible to draw every stripe perfectly and still fail to capture the animal standing ...

  Fragments I There is something curious that happens when you spend long enough in wild places. At first, like most people, you arrive with expectation. You hope to see something. You look constantly toward the horizon, scanning the landscape for movement, for activity, for that moment of discovery that justifies the journey. But nature rarely works on our timetable. Over time I have learned that finding what you seek is not always about searching harder. More often, it requires the exact opposite. It requires stillness. Working on my recent encounters with Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra has reminded me of this lesson repeatedly. In the harsh and often unforgiving environment in which they survive, nothing happens quickly. Water is never assumed. Shelter is scarce. Movement is deliberate. Energy is conserved. And so, in order to truly observe them, one has to begin surrendering one’s own sense of urgency. Waiting becomes part of the process. I have spent long periods simply sitting qu...

There are animals that impress us at first sight, and there are animals that reveal themselves slowly over time. The Hartmann's mountain zebra belongs firmly in the second category. At first glance, a zebra appears to be one of Africa's most familiar animals. Its striking black and white stripes make it instantly recognisable, even to people who have never set foot on the continent. Yet familiarity can be deceptive. The more time one spends with Hartmann's mountain zebras, the more apparent it becomes that there is far more to them than their distinctive appearance. For me, the Hartmann's mountain zebra became a subject not because it was dramatic or rare, but because it seemed to embody something far deeper: endurance. Over many years of observing these animals in Namibia, I came to realise that their lives are shaped by an environment that offers very little in the way of comfort. Unlike many of Africa's more celebrated wildlife species, Hartmann's zebras inha...

  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...

Its no secret that I am an avid admirer of Big Cats. But I have a special place in my heart for the cheetah. Their vulnerable status and their ability to survive against the odds makes them my favourite animal. As such I spend much time "hunting" them down in all the corners of the earth so that I can bring new and exciting artworks to light for your enjoyment. Here's a little information you may not know about the Cheetah. The African cheetah, scientifically known as Acinonyx jubatus, is one of the most revered and iconic predators on the African continent. Known for its incredible speed and striking appearance, the African cheetah possesses a combination of physical attributes that make it a truly unique and magnificent creature. However, despite its revered status, the African cheetah is currently facing the threat of extinction, and numerous conservation efforts are being made to protect this extraordinary species. Endangered Status and CITES Red Lists The African che...

The enviable view from my tent is just the thing to make a studio special. I have to admit that I am feeling a little depressed. If you consider that I am on my African adventure then that statement is even more depressing. (Not to worry it does brighten up in a bit). I am not sure if the reason for my depression is the unrelenting heat or the realization that there are some unrelenting 21st-century “things” I am not sure I can accept as part of who I am. The main reason, of course, for the African adventure is to get into the bush (that I so passionately love) and hopefully steep myself in its magic and peace. However, the reality is far from that, especially here at Etosha.   The first shock, I think, was the sheer number of tourists in the park on a daily basis. I will add that   I am on the western side of the pan at the very popular Anderson Gate entrance. Due to the fact that I only go into the park every second day I have to go and pay entrance fees each time (bureaucra...