My fascination with Africa and African wildlife began shortly after my grandma returned from a trip to what was then Northern Rhodesia. She brought back lots of cine roll footage and I remember being mesmerised and captivated by the footage of the landscape and more specifically the animals. One iconic image I remember vividly even to this day, baby elephants at a watering hole.

Finally, 2004 I was able to realise my dream as I went to stay on the Balule Nature Reserve part of the Kruger National Park in South Africa. I will never forget the scene that greeted me as we entered the Reserve for the first time, there in front of me were Kudu, Giraffe and Impala all grazing quietly in the African sunshine. It was as though they had come to greet me and writing this I am back there experiencing that moment once again.  

I instantly fell in love with the African Bush and its wildlife. Seeing, elephant, wildebeest, zebra, dwarf mongoose, jackals, hyenas, lions, waterbuck as well as the wonderful raptors was a life changing experience.  To be alongside these creatures with only the vehicle you were travelling in for protection or with a ranger on foot in the bush was the most magical experience I have ever had. It left me determined to use my art to help people see what I was able to see. Bring a connection with these magnificent animals to the viewers of my paintings.