African wildlife

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African wildlife

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10 February 2008, 20:54

Grafton

African wildlife

Not exactly trophy rooms or taxidermy, but I though some may enjoy these:
(sorry for the poor photos)

Most are oil pastel (crayon), some are a mix of oil pastel and acrylic paint.

SAFARI ARTS TAXIDERMY
http://www.safariarts.net/

10 February 2008, 23:02

David Culpepper

Very nice, who did them I can not make out the signature?

10 February 2008, 23:21

Mary Hilliard-Krueger

Grafton,

Most artists of great talent excel in many mediums. I've now seen your taxidermy work and flat art, what else do you have up your sleeve?
I especially like the lion, elephant and buffalo.

You have me tempted to dig up my pencil sketches from 'years' ago! We could start a showcase your artwork thread!

Thank you for sharing these with us!

Kind Regards,
Mary

Taxidermist/Rugmaker

11 February 2008, 00:57

Johnny Zanni

WHOA

those things are beautiful in my mind they are just as good as a wall mount

11 February 2008, 09:34

Ahmed Sultan

Grafton â€“ Great work, I specially like the Giraffe and Buffalo.

Ahmed Sultan

11 February 2008, 20:12

Grafton

Thanks to all for the kind words. Mary, you should post photos of your sketches, I would love to see them. And no, I don't have anything else up my sleeve. Although on occasion my wife says I have mastered the art of "doing nothing."

I have tried other mediums like oil paint, pencil etc.. but I always end up coming back to oil pastel. I like the vibrant colors, the texture, and the fact that they do not really dry. you can work on something over a long period of time. Also the size of the "crayons" limits the amount of detail you can add, and sometimes that makes for a better look. This is really just a hobby that I do every now and then, just for fun. I also find that any kind of drawing/sculpting/painting forces me to study anatomy more which is very helpful in taxidermy.

Ahmed, the giraffe is one of my favorites too, it is the last one I did.

SAFARI ARTS TAXIDERMY
http://www.safariarts.net/

11 February 2008, 20:34

Oday450

quote:
Originally posted by Ahmed Sultan:
Grafton â€“ Great work, I specially like the Giraffe and Buffalo.

+1 - I would like a print or copy of the buff for my office.

"Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult."

22 March 2008, 06:25

TrophyShotPrints

Hi Grafton,

I knew of your Taxidermy Talent but your paintings are truly beautiful!

I really like the the buffalo, elephant, and giraffe in particular...

Any prints for sale in the future???

Take care,

Roland

22 March 2008, 21:03

yukon delta

+1 on the giraffe.

_______________________________

22 March 2008, 23:21

L. David Keith

quote:
Most artists of great talent excel in many mediums

What Mary said is very true. And most Artist's never discover their full potential because they never venture into the unknown. Thanks for sharing these Grafton. I enjoyed seeing all of them. Have you tried doing any on alternative surfaces? Try a small one on tanned hide. Be sure to seal the "buckskin" first.
David

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"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson

Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running......

"If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you."

23 March 2008, 03:45

Grafton

Thanks to everyone for the comments. L. David, I have not tried painting on a hide but I have thought about it. You need an elephant to go with your lion don't you? "Lend me your ear" and I will paint it for you.

I have painted some scenes on the backs of pedestal mounts but I ended up changing them. I felt that they distracted too much from the mount.

Perhaps if there is any interest I will post some more photos of drawings etc.. in the future. Cheers

SAFARI ARTS TAXIDERMY
http://www.safariarts.net/

25 March 2008, 02:50

eyedoc

I like the giraffe and also the waterbuck and elephant.
As to interest, I think you have your answer already- We would love to see more of your work.

We seldom get to choose
But I've seen them go both ways
And I would rather go out in a blaze of glory
Than to slowly rot away!

04 April 2008, 01:45

Grafton

Here are a few rough ones from the sketch book...

Impala

young roan

zebra

nyala

oil pastel klipspringer/Namibia landscape

cape buffalo

I always wanted a life-sized rhino or elephant mount in my house, but there is no room. So here are a few "doctored up" toys that I have improved on. Museum habitat groups in miniature.

another..

elephant

SAFARI ARTS TAXIDERMY
http://www.safariarts.net/

04 April 2008, 08:51

Mary Hilliard-Krueger

Hold on Grafton, you said you didn't have anything else up your sleeve! Did you sculpt those miniatures? Those are incredibly nice! OK...you've got me motivated now, I'm going to find my old sketches and the fish I carved and post 'em!...

.

Kind Regards,
Mary

Taxidermist/Rugmaker

04 April 2008, 09:23

L. David Keith

Yes Mary, let's continue the artfest! I'm really enjoying this. Thanks for posting Grafton.
David

04 April 2008, 10:12

Mary Hilliard-Krueger

OK, I am nowhere near as talented as Grafton, but I did love to sketch years ago (When I had free time). Some of these are almost 30 years old (amazing I could hold a pencil at that tender age...LOL). Wish I had taken better care of these, especially the bobcat, that was one of my favorites.

Well, enjoy! Maybe i'll post a few more and my fish carving in the future.

Kind regards,
Mary

Taxidermist/Rugmaker

04 April 2008, 16:32

Aspen Hill Adventures

We really have some truly talented people in our midst! Awesome work Mary and Grafton (I know there are a few others lurking here too)!

~Ann

04 April 2008, 18:49

Grafton

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Mary, I was hoping you would post some drawings. Those are nice, I really like the bobcat. You captured "what it means to be a cat" very well there. Please post more photos if you have them.

I did not sculpt those miniatures. They are toys that I "refinished." The black rhino and elephant were old toys that I had growing up (I am 35). They were probablty made in the 70's. The smaller white rhino I bought at a craft store not long ago. There are not many "toys" that are made now that are realistic looking enough.

I have not done too much sculpting other than carving up taxidermy forms and doing the usual clay work. I have always liked the look and permanence of bronze sculpture so maybe someday I will try that.

Here are a few more...

hippo

Another elephant

A gemsbok painted on a lamp

SAFARI ARTS TAXIDERMY
http://www.safariarts.net/

12 April 2008, 20:52

Mary Hilliard-Krueger

Ann and Grafton, thank you for your kind words.
Ann, I will be calling you this week, your pkgs have arrived.

Drew this bobcat in a few hours for my daughter about 10 years ago. Took a 3rd place at Nationals for Original Art.

Carved this bluegill and base about 20 years ago. Photo makes the blue look too vibrant.

Kind regards,
Mary

Taxidermist/Rugmaker

30 April 2008, 05:11

L. David Keith

to both of you!
David

07 June 2008, 03:51

Grafton

Work in progress....

SAFARI ARTS TAXIDERMY
http://www.safariarts.net/

12 June 2008, 02:17

Grafton

Namibia Koppie, another work in progress.....
May add some gemsbok or just keep it as a landscape.

SAFARI ARTS TAXIDERMY
http://www.safariarts.net/

22 June 2008, 03:33

DC Roxby

Grafton,

The painting looks great!

Don

______________________

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29 June 2008, 23:53

Grafton

"Resting elephant"
acrylic on hardboard:

SAFARI ARTS TAXIDERMY
http://www.safariarts.net/

30 June 2008, 09:30

TrophyShotPrints

Simply BEAUTIFUL Grafton...

Simply BEAUTIFUL...

I like your style...I tell you one day when I'm through moving and stuff...I'll be picking up a couple of your pieces...

Its very easily to visualize that you are a very INSPIRED African Artist...

Congrats my friend!

Roland