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I have traveled to South Africa twice recently.  In October of 2022, from Johannesburg to the Escarpment, Kruger National Park and then to Cape Town to join a lovely group of artists to paint in the Kalahari with Hazel Soan.  In May of 2023, I returned to Kruger to explore the northern end of the park.  Magical.  All of it!

These visits to Africa have stimulated my creativity in many ways.  When I first returned home, there were so many animals and birds I wanted to paint, I couldn't paint fast enough.  I discovered there is so much more I want to express with my art.  So much more I want to learn.  The excitement I feel is refreshing and exhilarating. 

Today I will share one elephant experience that I enjoyed immensely.  

While we were watching a waterhole in northern Kruger, the young elephant pictured above (approx. age 3) came charging into the area while a herd of Cape buffalo were drinking.  The buffalo quickly scattered.  I was so surprised that an elephant so young and small had so much power and boldness.  Behind him the matriarch and the rest of the elephant herd slowly emerged from the wooded area.  The matriarch is the leader and decision-maker for the herd and the young elephant was misbehaving by rushing ahead.  The matriarch determined they shouldn't stay and turned the herd back, disappearing into the brush, while the young elephant, with his back to them, continued drinking.  He finally looked up and realized the herd had left him behind.  Gone was his boldness.  Panicked, with ears wide and flapping, he ran back to the wooded edge to find them. 

Elephants are mostly silent.  The young elephant charging into the water area was growling and making other sounds, quite obviously making his presence known.  But in general, while one is paused in a safari vehicle near elephants, the herd creates a silent wave of movement.  One minute they are grazing on one side of the dirt road, the next minute, they are all around you, passing by on their way to the river or to a new grazing area.  So very close.  So quiet.

Encounters like these are the inspiration for my art.  I soak up the moment in every way I can, through my senses—sight, smells, sounds, the feeling in the air.  And, I take photographs.  Because I’m less concerned about the photographic image than the story it tells me, I can both enjoy the moment and capture it.  My art is a combination of my experiences and the visual story my photos tell.  

South Africa holds magic for me and has stimulated all aspects of my creativity.  I am still discovering the nature of that magic and eager to share it with you!  

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I welcome your comments and questions!

Best wishes,

Vickie