“White Rhino, Lake Nakuru” by Pip McGarry, Oil on canvas, 20in x 18in, Sold at Sotheby’s February 1999.
Choosing Pip McGarry for the express purpose of bringing art and wildlife conservation commentary into my blog took me about 30 seconds.
If it takes former Navy SEALs, ex Marines and Army veteran’s to protect the world’s endangered wildlife heritage then so be it. Recently I’ve been extremely heartened by international Governmental policies regarding the humane treatment of animals.
Such changes take courage, strong effort and time.
Educating people about the importance of wildlife conservation, ecological recycling and food sustainability is one of the greatest challenges for the human race.
Pip’s work has the capacity to move us into seeing the astounding beauty of our natural world. Booking your wildlife adventure will help countries unlock the full potential of their ecological economy. Not just Africa and India, everywhere.
Zoom in at the macro level. Take in the wider picture.
For younger readers especially I’d like to mention that I loved reading Willard Price adventure books whilst I was at mid-schooling age. Ferocious and informative, exciting and action packed. Writing and reading is for everyone to enjoy.
“White Rhino, Lake Nakuru” is a masterful painting of a solitary white rhino seemingly asking us about its future. Certainly for the Northern White Rhino this could not be more pertinent. Can we allow poaching to ravage our natural wildlife indefinitely?
The stylish colour paintwork, expression and personality of these graceful creatures make this artwork a forever classic like “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” (1971).
Hopefully you will find your Isle of Naboombu and I’m quite sure your local travel agent would find your itinerary an interesting challenge.
“Winner Takes All” by Pip McGarry, Oil on canvas, 60in x 20in, Sold to Private Collector.
In the artwork above, “Winner Takes All” we see a hefty tug of war for any leopard to take on!
The hyper-realist detailing of this magnificent reptile’s scales and the width ways composition give this piece dramatic flair. The sunlight reflecting from its mighty tail adds to the display of artistry.
“Chilling Out” by Pip McGarry, Oil on canvas, 30in x 20in.
Snow leopards have always been one of my wildlife favourites. Their elusive, specialist quality and patient nonchalence is breathtaking to watch. The speed and fearless nature of their hunger-driven rocky descents into chasing mountain goats is a sheer cliff hanging sight to behold.
A Snow Leopard at relaxed ease like this in “Chilling Out” is a perfectly adorable painting. Immediately this painting won me over. Snuggling up to a snow leopard would be a dream come true.
Although definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Painting the intricacy of fur requires a lightness of strokes and wispy handling. Selecting the best brush for the work is essential. Particularly noticeable to me is his usage and treatment of light throughout his work. Strong noon sunlight contrasted with evening hues synonymous with the African plains and tropical landscapes.
Pip McGarry is expertly accustomed to using techniques to fine tune adjustments in texture, tone and density for his paintings. Pip is also a highly accomplished art teacher with on-safari and studio workshop teaching experience encompassing two decades.
The snow leopard’s eyes in “Chilling Out” are completely alive, three dimensional and ponderous.
“Zebras Drinking, Namibia” by Pip McGarry, Oil on canvas, 30in x 20in, Sold at Summer Exhibition 2003.
“Zebras Drinking, Namibia” is compositional brilliance almost entirely in black and white. This painting demands that our brains make sense of each individual zebra. Where one starts and where the other outline ends. Very clever and uniquely distinct.
If property value is based on ‘Location, Location, Location’ then realist art value is based upon ‘Composition, Composition, Composition’.
You cannot better perfection.
Only then can we begin to compute the hyper-realist quality, their water drenched muzzles and trusting comradery. Thirstiness as a splashing of the liquid surface. Absolute markings around the head and necks ‘like fingerprints and stars’.
Pip McGarry has extensive wildlife television experience including judging “Wildlife Artist of the Year” for the British Broadcasting Corporation. He has also been the Artist-in-Residence at Marwell Zoological Park in Hampshire, England for fifteen years.
You can see more about Pip and his artwork at his website here http://www.pipmcgarry.com/index.htm
The Unfathomable Artist 