Original Art by ILSE  

The elephant bull that I painted here, is Tshokwane. He was part of a group of large tuskers that roamed the Kruger National Park in the 1990's. Photographer Daryl Balfour had the task to photograph all 7 of these huge tuskers for a photo book that was to be published. Tshokwane was renowned to not like people & be agressive. Daryl left him till last. While the elephant was initially not too bothered by the appearance of the photographer he suddenly swung around & stormed Daryl. The reference photo I used for this artwork was taken seconds before the elephant was on top of mr Balfour. Daryl lived to tell the tale but was flown out to hospital badly hurt & unconsious & spent months recovering.

We were sitting at a waterhole in KNP in June 2018 photographing birds, when this magnificent lion came walking down towards the water (you can imagine our exitement) When he gave us that look & I saw the wet fur wher it dipped into the water as he drank- I knew it had to be captured on canvas.

Zebras are one of my very favorite animals to paint & this painting was no exeption! I have done numerous zebra paintings & I do hope that I'll oneday be remebered as the artist that portrayed zebras so well. There's something about capturing these striped icons of the african bush on canvas that always gives me as an artist a intense feeling of accomplishment .

These huge & very unique animals of the african bush is treatened by the constant onslaught made by poaching. The ridiculous miths that has as a  result nearly turned these rhinos horns into "white gold" is posing a very real & serious treat & the very existance of these animals are hanging in the balance.

I have been part of quite a few conservation efforts to help curb poaching & keep these beautiful rhinos safe & alive.  

To capture the iconic African leopard on canvas is always a challenge I rise to gladly. Being a cat these beautiful animals can portray so many emotions- from sleepy, to mildly interested (or not at all), alert or aloof & even aggressive if threatened. This specific leopard had his eyes locked on me as he was coming down a slight slope- so sure of himself & totally in control.