Natures light

Sageland Morning, oil on canvas 36 x 52

2011-11-25T14:48:00.000-08:00

It was a magic morning, the mist rising out of the valley as the first sun came over the hill, the flock of blackbirds swirling in the still air only added to the moment.

This is one of my entries to Master's of the American West at the Autry Museum in Los Angeles in february.

The Waiting Game, oil on canvas, 29 x 41

2011-11-25T14:42:00.001-08:00

This wonderful leopard spent the heat of the day in sausage trees along the banks of the Savuti Channel in Botswana's Okavango Delta. She patiently waited for some unsuspecting impala to be lured in by the promise of cool shade and sausage tree fruit and flowers to nibble on. We patiently waited to see the possible out come. After three days, all the impala in the area were still safe.....

Crossing the Plains, oil on canvas, 28 x 40

2011-11-25T14:39:00.001-08:00

Thunder clouds over the plains, cheetahs in the evening sun, just some of my favorite things..

Greeting, colored pencil, 12 x 18

2011-11-25T14:36:00.001-08:00

This piece was one of the popular at this years show at the Mockingbird Gallery in Bend Oregon

Old and Wise, pencil 15 x 10.5

2011-11-25T14:31:00.000-08:00

It is a very moving thing to look into the eyes of any of the larger primates.

"Study for Waiting", pencil 14.5 x 7

2011-08-11T16:42:00.000-07:00

This study of the lovely leopard at Savuti is my sketch for the Western Visions Show at the National Museum of Wildlife Art

Back Paddock, pencil, 4 x 27

2011-08-11T16:38:00.001-07:00

My miniature for Western Visions at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. It seems a somewhat different subject for me, but horses were the first thing that I drew as a child, great to come come back to them, especially as we have plenty on our farm her in New Zealand

The Deep Crossing, oil on canvas 19 x 37

2011-08-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

The only sound we could hear was the rippling of water as this breeding herd crossed the Savuti Channel, the wonderful evening light catching their glistening bodies.

This is one of my pieces forWestern Visions at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Wyoming this September.

Carmine Trio

2011-08-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

Carmine Bee Eaters are one of my favorite birds, such fantastic colors and shapes, I enjoyed working out a composition for these three.

Lady Leopard colored pencil, 8.5 x 13

2011-04-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

Botswana turned on all its charms for us again last year. We had many wonderful sightings of leopard, including this lovely you female at Savuti Camp, most paint-o- genic.

Reflections, oil on canvas 9 x 20

2011-04-14T19:12:00.000-07:00

Ruddy Duck and ripples.......

Ripples of Gold, oil on canvas, 9 x 20

2011-04-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

Wood Duck are such an interesting subject, great shapes and colors, the later determined what sort of setting I should put the bird in, autumn reflections.

Carmine Trio, colored pencil 29.5 x 9.5

2011-04-14T19:02:00.000-07:00

On safari last year the carmine bee-eaters were most co-operative, I had a wonderful opportunity to study these spectacular birds up close. Back in the studio I decided on a slightly oriental composition (I am a great fan of Japanese screen paintings) and to set them off against a neutral background so as not to distract from their remarkable shapes and colors.

Delta Twilight, oil on canvas, 24 x 44

2010-12-27T17:39:00.000-08:00

This is a very evocative piece for me. One of my favourite places on the planet is the Okavango Delta in Botswana, nothing can beat, in the still of the evening, watching one of these wonderful animals going about their lives. I added some Sacred Ibis flying over as in the evening the Delta sky is alive with birds returning to thier roosts, and the composition seemed to need it. This piece also allowed me to use some slightly different colors, a cadmium yellow sky and cerulian blue reflection in the elephants bow wave.

Neck n' Neck, oil on canvas, 40 x 19

2010-12-27T17:36:00.000-08:00

Even in combat giraffe are wonderful graceful animals, the curve of their necks as they try to establish dominance I felt made for an interesting composition.

Bad Boys, pencil 14 x 26

2010-12-27T17:33:00.000-08:00

These are the bad boys of the African veld, I was fascinated by their individual expressions and the rhythm of thier curved horns. I felt a perfect subject for a pencil drawing.

Wild Stripes, colored pencil 12 x 16

2010-07-14T19:24:00.000-07:00

There is just so much fun stuff an artist can do with zebra's, how good of nature to create something so interesting for us to work on. This is to be shown at the Western Visions Show and Sale at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming in September

At Rest, oil on canvas, 15 x 40

2010-07-14T19:18:00.001-07:00

Western Visions at the National Museum of wildlife Art is on the horizon, this is this years "more" piece. Cheetahs are an eternal favourite.

Intimate Moment, colored pencil, 12.5 x 9.5

2010-07-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

The title says it all for me, white faced whistling ducks allopreening, sounds so clinical, just one of natures quiet moments. This is going to be part of this years Birds in Art, in Wausau, Wiscinsin, always a pleasure to have work included in the show.

Young Warrior, colored pencil, 19.5 x 12

2010-07-14T19:04:00.001-07:00

Sable Antelope are magnificent creatures, their colors and shapes are fascinating. To try and capture these to best effect I chose colored pencil as the medium on a plain background. This piece will be in the Society of Animal Artists annual show in San diego in September, unfortunately we will not be able to attand the opening as it is the same weekend as my show at Mockingbird Gallery in Bend , Oregon.

Delta Duet oil on canvas 23 x 45

2010-07-14T18:57:00.000-07:00

Illala Palms and termite mounds are some of the characteristic features of the Okavango Delts in Botswana, our favouite area to go on safari....thinking of it makes me excited about our upcoming safari in October this year, I can't wait. Greater Kudu are a species that we usaully see there, such beautiful animals..

Fastidious, oil on linen, 17 x 36

2009-11-18T14:22:00.000-08:00

Being the fastest land mammal, cheetah have to do a lot of maintenance to remain in peak condition for the next sprint. This piece is going to Insight Gallery, Fredericksburg, Texas www.insightgallery.com for their December show. I am most delighted to finally be represented in Texas where I have so many collectors.

Sleepy Red, colores pencil 9 x 18

2009-11-18T14:16:00.000-08:00

What a rare treat it was this fall to when visiting dear friends in Montana to find out that they had rescued an abandoned red fox and raised it on their ranch. I had ample opportunity to study this delightful creature at very close quarters and get to know its vibrant personality. It should be a great ambassador for its species in its new home in an educaton conservation facility.

Young Friends, pencil 12.5 x 9

2009-11-18T14:11:00.001-08:00

Elephants are so endearing, always caring for each other, family is paramount for them. Safely nestled between their mother and an older sibling these two were able to play in safety.

Fleetig Encounter, oil on linen, 27 x 44

2009-07-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

Zebra's reflected in the water create such visual impact that it is a subject I am often drawn to despite the fact that they are very complex to paint, definitely worth the effort though. Some beautiful Carmine Bee-eaters always add a little life to any scene

This is my "more" painting for Western Visions at the National Museum of wildlife, where I am most honored to have been selected to be featured painter this year, a very exciting and busy season for me in Jackson this fall. www.wildlifeart.org.

Leopard Orchid, oil on linen, 43 x 25

2009-07-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

Africa provides endless inspiration, such variety, so many moods, from adrenaline pumping action to peace and beauty, always something new. We actually saw this leopard in the tree with the leopard orchid, the latter was not as co-operative as the leopard as it wasn't flowering at the time but with some research I was able to solve that.

This is my submission for the Jackson Hole Art Auction this year, www.jacksonholeartauction.com. Part of the proceedes of the auction will be donated to the National Museum of Wildlife Art, where I am featured painter this year.

A Spot in the Shade, oil on linen, 22 x 45

2009-07-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

These are the Savuti brothers, three cheetah from the Savuti/Duma Tau region of Botswana that we have been seeing for many years and who I have done many paintings of. I am particularly pleased with the calm relaxed feel of this piece. It is the centre piece of my one woman show on July 18th at Mockingbird Gallery in Bend Oregon www.mockingbird-gallery.com.

Samburu Warrior, colored pencil 30 x 13

2009-07-02T16:07:00.000-07:00

This relaxed confident young man was one of our guides at Lewa Downs in Kenya. A fantatic subject for a figure study.

It's Mine! colored pencil, 10 x 25

2009-07-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

Young cats are always ready for fun and can turn almost any found object, in this case a leaf, into a great game. Another piece for the show at Mockingbird Gallery in Bend.

Samburu Safari, oil on linen, 32 x 15

2009-04-27T15:22:00.000-07:00

It is such an exciting time in Africa when preparations are being made for safari. In Northern Kenyan that often means getting the camels packed. The wooden frames on their backs can either be used for a saddle, with some padding, or for packing safari supplies. This young Samburu was dressed in his finery for the occasion

A Moments Sun, oil on linen 16 x 32

2009-04-27T15:17:00.000-07:00

When the sun breaks through in the far north, itis a moment to be enjoyed.

Guarding the Den, oil on linen, 9 x 14

2009-04-27T15:08:00.000-07:00

Spotted Hyaenas are not everyones favorite animal but I think that they can be very appealing, slightly mischievious.

Close Family, colored pencil 23 x 12.5 "

2009-04-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

Cheetah are one of my all time favorite animals to portray. Their elegant long lines can make interesting compositions, vertical is always a challenge. Their colors and texture are so rich. Although curious these young ones are not too keen to wander too far from the security of their mother.

Evening Encounter

2009-03-11T14:29:00.000-07:00

I love the fall evenings in the high desert, silently the mule deer start moving about, it is a time of romance...

oil on linen 18 x 34

Heralds of Spring,

2009-03-11T14:19:00.000-07:00

In early spring male pheasant take on their resplendant colors, so rich, especially against the late snow. Our farm here in New Zealand has a huge pheasant population now that we have controlled the introduced predators, such as stoats, so I have ample opportunity to study them close at hand, not in the snow however......

Oil on linen 11 x 20

Those Fleet Feet, colored pencil 8 x 13

2009-02-01T18:27:00.000-08:00

This is my newest piece for the American Miniature Show at Settlers West in Tucson, to be held on February 14th . Cheetahs are such wonderful atheletes and need to look after themselves. I love to capture intimate moments with the wildlife I portray, here it is just being a fastidious cat.

On the Ice Floe, oil on linen, 16 x 37

2009-01-27T17:51:00.001-08:00

This is an unusual subject for me, I have not painted a polar bear in years. It was very refreshing to work on the wonderful colors that the icey realms create. I am more familiar with the Antarctic than the Arctic, but many of the colors are similar. A nice piece to work on in the heat of the southern summer.

Acacia Country, colored pencil 12 x 20

2009-01-27T17:42:00.000-08:00

Sable Antelope in classic acacia country are always a favorite.

Bushveld Monarch 22.5 x 15.5

2009-01-27T17:37:00.000-08:00

Greater Kudu are one of the most elegant of the antelope family, their beautiful grey coats allow them to blend perfectly into the bushveld that they frequent, again a colored pencil.

Companions

2009-01-27T17:26:00.000-08:00

Warthog are such loveable rogues, ugly, yet very appealing. They are always popular with people we take on safari. This piece is colored pencil, a great medium for studies like this.

The Pause that Refreshes

2008-12-29T14:24:00.000-08:00

In the late afternoon we were lucky enough to catch these two lionesses drinking before heading into the long grass to do what do lions do best, sleep.

Close Friends

2008-12-29T14:19:00.000-08:00

Zebras provide an almost endless source of inspiration for drawings and paintings, they are so graphic and social. I enjoying observing the constant interaction of the herd.

The Passing Parade

2008-12-29T14:12:00.000-08:00

On the saline lakes of the East African Rift Valley, large flocks of flamingoes are often encountered. They are nomadic so seeing them is never garanteed and is always a treat. In the wild they are much pinker than those kept in capitivity. It is very excitng to see them in their courtship display where they form a tight group and parade together with their heads held high and neck feathers fluffed.

Spanish Peak

2008-12-29T14:05:00.000-08:00

This is a commission recently completed for a couple in Bend Oregon. The high desert on the leeward side of the Cascade Mountains in the Bend area is ideal habitat for Pronghorn Antelope, which can be seen in the sage brush plains. I was commission to paint a herd of antelope with Spanish Peak in the background that was on the ranch previously owned by them. I love painting thunder clouds so was delighted to incorporate them into this scene.

On A Mission

2008-12-29T13:59:00.000-08:00

In the Duba Plains area of Botswana we saw this wonderful male lion who had just heard an intruder roaoring in his territory, so he was definitely on a mission to sort out the intruder, who he ended up chasing for a long time.

On the Forests Carpet

2008-11-05T17:03:00.000-08:00

This is a recently completed commission for some dear friends who were fortunate enough to travel to the Mahale Mountains in Tanzania and spend time with the chimpanzees there. I love working with the expressive faces of these amazing creatures.

Quality Time

2008-11-05T17:00:00.000-08:00

Also for the Waterfowl Festival in Maryland, colored pencil cheetahs are always on of my favorite subjects

River Crossing

2008-11-05T16:54:00.000-08:00

Another piece for the Waterfowl Festival.

Cooling Off, oil on linen 9 x 14

2008-10-18T15:18:00.000-07:00

I am now showing at the Lovett Gallery in Tulsa Oklahoma, this is one of the pieces that the gallery has lovettsgallery.com

The Tracker oil on linen 8 x 13

2008-10-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

This is my submission this years Gilcrease Museums American Masterworks in Miniature Exhibition and sale on November 6th in Tulsa Oklahoma.

Who Goes There, oil on linen 15 x 32

2008-10-18T14:54:00.000-07:00

I am currently working on a number of pieces for the Waterfowl Festival in Easton Maryland, 14th-16th November.