Unity of the Tribe

The meaning behind my most popular piece.

As I've mentioned before, I receive a lot of inspiration for my work through nature. This time there is no exception. I also receive a lot of inspiration from my South African heritage and my mother.

Lets talk about animals. I love animals. I think most people do. I can't remember a time I wasn't drawing, photographing, reading, and watching animals. The natural world is a fascinating place. There is no shortage of information and opportunity for discovery. I am fueled and fulfilled by the pursuit of a curiosity. Exploration and experimentation is what makes my art a reality.

The nugget of information I learned to start this piece and the series about zebras, is about how they work together to protect each other.

While zebras' stripes are beautiful and unique, they are also a great tool for protection. When you look at a herd of zebras, its hard to tell where one ends and another begins. It's a mess of black and white. The confusion we see is the same that the predators of the zebras also experience.

When a lion is spotted by a member of the herd, the group gathers closer and they run around making it really hard for the lion to choose one and chase it down.

This idea made me think about my family and strength in numbers. I have always been close to my siblings and parents and I appreciate it more and more as I grow older. I recognize how big of a protection they were simply by being there always by my side. I think about the stories my father and brother have told me about times they've protected me from dangers I had no idea existed. I think about the life-saving wisdom given to my by my grandparents and mother. And I am reminded of the bond of friendship my sisters have always shared with me that filled many days with laughter and companionship.

This piece is about my family. The number of zebras is almost equal to the number of my siblings and parents. The last sibling of mine is Clara. although she is not here with me physically, I still feel the ways she is protecting me and my herd. The red oxpecker represents her as she watches over us beyond the veil.

This piece is the first of many. Each print represents the generations in my family adding to the overall protection of my sacred line. I am grateful for the wisdom they have passed onto me.

Thank you for reading.