120 x 95 cm / 47 x 37 inches

Acrylics

It’s the expression fronted by this rhino that really touched my heart. With an oxpecker as companion, an untouched, fully horned rhino is a rarity to witness. Up close and personal? Even more so. I felt honored painting this moment, yet saddened knowing that amputation is but a hopeful deterrent against the careless destructiveness of human greed and superstition.

This painting grew into quite an emotional challenge for me. I developed a proper case of ‘painter’s block’… one area specifically just could not let go of me. It demanded weeks of battle over what was never even supposed to be all that difficult. A good friend sympathized: “there will be times when you bang your head against the wall of frustration, with the looming fear of failure never too far; not knowing if you’ll get it just right. But giving up? Never.” I eventually reached exhaustion, almost convinced I wont be able to finish this one. Yet I persisted, and was saved by a piece of painter’s wisdom: ‘art is never truly completed; it is simply abandoned when the artist deems it sufficient.”

The yoke was lifted, and now I am done. It is good.

It has taken a piece of my heart and repaid me with greatfullness. It’s the love of an artist that pulls you through and makes you love it all the more for it.

Thank you Hamman Prinsloo Photography for your beautiful photo I used as reference. Also a big thanks to Art Canvas Factory for your quality canvas and speedy service.