The “Mother’s Love” Collection

When I reflect on moments that I’ve spent watching wild animal mothers with their children, that cuddling they do when they close their eyes and nuzzle each other is when I believe we connect to the love in their hearts.

This Collection will bring together animals from both Africa and Australia, the goal of each piece is to capture that heartfelt caring and love in the wild that connects us to these wonderful creatures so universally.

While on our photo safari in Kenya almost exactly five years ago, we came across this mother and her two cubs under a tree in the distance. She was sitting there watching her twins scampering about under the shade of this tree in a vast open landscape feeding on this large antelope she had taken down. We kept our distance and watched for what was probably two hours that afternoon. As the shadow of the tree shortened due to the shifting sunlight, she would repeatedly grab the carcass and pull it back into the shade so that her family was never in the direct heat of the sun. Though it was apparent she was exhausted, she was so attentive, exuding much pride.

Once the kids had their fill and lost interest, she ate while they jumped around the base of the tree playing and licking each other clean. After having feasted herself, she then joined her kids at the base of the tree, stretching out for a rest. There was this moment when one of her babies snuggled up next to her and she turned her head and cleaned the little one’s face with the most gentle and loving nuzzles.

Everything about that afternoon touched me deeply. The fact that there are estimated to be only 7,100 cheetahs left in the wild is hard to fathom. They have vanished from approximately 90 percent of their historic range in Africa, and are extinct in Asia except for a single, isolated population of perhaps 50 individuals in central Iran. I can’t imagine losing these beautiful creatures from our world.

A significant portion of the proceeds from pieces in this Collection will be donated to organizations in Africa dedicated to protecting these endangered beauties. More information on that will be published later.

“Devotion” - of the "Mother's Love Collection"

31x46cm on Arches Aquerelle Cold Pressed 300g / 140lb paper using both Daniel Smith and Winsor & Newton watercolours and Black Velvet brushes.