After a trip to Artfriend for two simple canvases, I dedicated a few weekends to sketching and painting these majestic creatures in acrylic. Each miniature took at least three hours to complete, as I carefully attempted to capture the likeness and mood that had captivated me in Johannesburg. It wasn’t just about the form of the animals—it was about evoking the same feeling, the same soul.
The final piece of the puzzle came unexpectedly, on a warm evening at a night market in Koh Samui. There, on the ground, lay a vibrant painting of two elephants—a mother and her calf walking in harmony. I knew immediately that this painting would complete my trilogy. I took a photo of it and, upon returning home, bought a square canvas, different from the earlier ones, to bring the elephants to life.
It took me more than a month to find the time and courage to finish the elephants, haunted by the fear of ruining the vivid colors. As I painted, I struggled with finding the perfect bright fuchsia pink. Running low on supplies, I improvised with leftover acrylics from past projects and even borrowed from my kids’ old paint pots. But when I finally finished, I was blown away by the result—it was more beautiful than I could have imagined.
Together, the three paintings tell a story.
The leopard stands alone on a misty platform, gazing out into an uncertain future, searching for companionship. She doesn’t yet see the love she needs within herself. In another realm, the lions embrace—regal and strong, the king wraps his mane around his lover like a protective canopy. But this embrace, though tender, is only a moment in time. Before this, they fought, and afterward, they will go their separate ways in search of new mates. Romantic love, after all, is fleeting and full of risk.
Then, in the final painting, we find the most grounded of the three scenes: a mother elephant and her calf walking side by side. This is a portrayal of familiarity, kinship, and unconditional love. Unlike the leopard’s solitude or the lions’ transitory passion, this bond is steadfast and unwavering. The simplicity of their connection stands as a reminder that true, lasting relationships are often the most peaceful and constant. Imagine if the painting featured two or three baby elephants—it would be chaotic, full of noise and disruption. But here, in their quiet harmony, we see the strength of a singular, enduring bond.
Each painting reflects a different aspect of love and life. The leopard waits for a companionship that may never come, blind to the love she can find within herself. The lions embrace in the present, but their love is as fragile as the moment itself, destined to change. And then there are the elephants, grounded in their unshakeable connection, showing that kinship can be the most steadfast love of all.
