THE STORY
Thinking about wildlife conservation can often be pretty depressing, there’s a lot of bad news out there about the state of the environment and the lack of action that governments around the world seem to be prepared to take to safeguard wildlife or indeed wilderness areas. Moments for hope and celebration seem few and far between and if like me you care deeply for nature, it can all become a bit too overwhelming to try and hold on to those moments of hope and not simply become lost in the despair of it all. What once brought us joy becomes painful and heartbreaking.
With this in mind I wanted to create a collection of whimsical artworks that were playful and fun a reminder to still seek joy in our relationship with nature and to not become lost in the despair.
This was the third in the series after “Elephant Splash” and “Cheetah Splash” and it was based on a portrait of a Southern giraffe I photographed in the Kruger National Park in South Africa. If you have ever been to Africa and been lucky enough to see giraffe in the wild, you will know they have this way of looking at you, I’m not really sure how to describe it but suffice to say this one was giving me that exact look.
Like the previous Cheetah picture I stuck with earthy tones, reminding me of the African soil, perhaps that distinctive smell of rain falling on hot, dry soil – can you smell it? I love the term used for that smell – Petrichor. Having lived in Africa that smell evokes the feelings of hope, of new life, of the new beginnings that rain promised. I’m not sure unless you have lived in an arid region of the world you perhaps will understand the yearning for rain or indeed the sense of celebration it’s arrival brings. But here in this whimsical series I hoped to capture that sense of joy, of hope, of promise that I felt all those years ago when those first glorious big fat droplets would fall on my upturned face and calm the dust of the scorched earth at my feet.
WHY GIRAFFE NEED YOUR HELP:
I have been fortunate to have worked closely with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation since 2017. I had been shocked to discover that giraffe were under serious threat. Populations in Southern Africa make you feel that this animal is prolific. However giraffe have been listed as Vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN due to the dramatic decline of the population that has been seen in recent decades. Now with just 117,000 giraffe left in the wild, equivalent to just 1 giraffe for every 4 elephants!! Action is urgently needed before it is too late. Dr Julian Fennessey and his wife Steph are courageously leading the fight, through their charity the Giraffe Conservation Foundation to turn the tide and it is my honour to offer these prints for sale to raise funds to support their titanic efforts for giraffe across Africa.
You can read more about how the money donated will be used and also the work of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation by clicking here https://giraffeconservation.org/
EXTRA INFORMATION:
Instead of offering bulk mass-produced prints, I want you to know that you are buying something special and unique. I feel that people should purchase fine art photography prints because the artwork speaks to them and they feel an emotional connection to the print and the photographer. All my prints are strictly available as low number limited edition runs. As a limited edition print sells its price will appreciate accordingly in the online store, as fewer remain available to purchase.
This picture is printed on archival grade fine art Hahnemühle Photorag paper. If you have not seen this before it a softly textured paper that gives a wonderful quality to an image, really empathising the idea of the texture you would imagine if the giraffe was actually standing in front of you. It is a brilliant paper for bringing out the subtle tones and textures.
I recommend that when you receive your print that you have it properly mounted and framed by an experienced professional frame shop to ensure the maximum care and longevity of your artwork.
Should you wish to purchase a limited edition print in a different size to that listed, please contact me and I will be happy to discuss your requirements and provide a quote for the cost to produce the print in your desired size. I am also happy to provide quotes for framing or printing onto Chromaluxe if you would like to have your print sent to you ready for you to hang on your wall.
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