African Elephants

When I was a young girl living in the foothills of the Ruwenzoris in Uganda, in the Rift Valley in Tanganyika and on the water pipeline in southern Kenya, there were huge herds roaming freely and solitary bulls guarding their territory. These magnificent creatures have always fascinated and enthralled me.

Ol-Duvai

Acrylic on canvas
90 x 120 cm

Ol-Duvai, the birthplace of mankind, according to archaeologist Mary Leaky on discovering 'Lucy'. Times have brought further theories to light. But this bull elephant is free to roam the Ol-Duvai Gorge in Serengeti National Park

On the Road to Chalbi

Acrylic on Canvas
80 x 80 cm

Kori Bustards worrry this young elephant on his way through the volcanic rocks for the green hills of Mount Nyiro. I've always wanted to paint an elephant's baggy bottom... at last the perfect setting, Private Collection

Bull Elephant in Manyara

Acrylic on canvas
100 x 100 cm

This bull elephant hides quite easily behind a large bush to ambush tourists in Manyara, a small park beside a lake in Tanzania. I cannot help but admire him

Bull Elephant with Attitude

Acrylic on canvas
100 x 100 cm

Manyara is a small park beside a lake in Tanzania. The elephants are well used to travellers,. This bull elephant likes to block the road through the park- He certainly has attitude

Matriarch Kilimanjaro

Acrylic on canvas
100 x 100 cm

Amboseli is home to great herds of elephants each led and defended by a matriarch, Using a palette knife for a bold effect against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro, far off in Tanzania. The snows lessen by the year.

Kilimanjaro Snows

Mixed media collage on canvas
70 x 70 cm

Africa is evoked for me by its elephants, its fabrics and its mountain, Kilimanjaro. Here I capture them all.

Mzima Springs

Acrylic on canvas
100 x 100 cm

Reflections of the matriarch with her family of elephants in fresh water at Mzima Springs in Kenya. Totally ignored me as I sat on a tiny jetty to sketch.

Floodwaters of the Selous

Acrylic on canvas
60 x 150 cm

Elephants going places don't stop for little ones to play in the water. I'm very fond of this painting. Private Collection

An elephant in the dust

Acrylic on canvas sketchpad
70cm x 40 cm

Creating dust in preparation for larger paintings

Ellis in dust

Acrylic on canvas sketchpad
70 x 40 cm

Thie beginnings of an idea for a larger canvas

Dusting off in Tarangire

Acrylic on canvas
100 x 100 cm

A young elephant has as much fun with dust as with water.

Baobab Dust

Acrylic on canvas
80 x 80 cm

In Tarangire Elephants can suddenly materialize dramatically out of the dust.

...and counting

Watercolour on Fabriano paper
70 x 100 cm

... a head count of elephants in Tsavo East is conducted by pilots including my friend Tim Corfield. There are only five in this painting. 5Y?

Poacher's Legacy

85 x 60 cm
Watercolour on Fabriano paper

This baby elephant is guarded by rangers day and night on Kuki Gallman's reserve in Laikipia, in northern Kenya. The painting was rewarded with a place in London at a Mall Gallery Wildlife Exhibition by David Shepherd. . Private Collection.

Elephants seek Shade

Pen and ink wash
23 x 29 cm

An ink and wash sketch with my little paint box and waterbrush captured at the scene in Tarangire, white chalk added later in camp.