The Mazanje waterhole is on the road between Shingwedzi and Pafuri in the far north of the Kruger National Park. The far north is a great place for elephants and I have often watched large herds come and go at Mazanje. I took the photograph that inspired this painting at midday, it was very hot and a herd of elephants crossed the road ahead of me, making their way to the water for a drink and probably a muddy splash. I noticed that two young females were walking side by side, slightly away from the rest of the herd. I decided, without any proof whatsoever, that they must be sisters. It was only later, when I looked more closely at the photo, that I realized the older of the two did not have any tusks. In any elephant population a small number of individuals do not carry the genes for tusks and it’s often said that mature, tuskless cows tend to be more aggressive than their ivory bearing relatives. I like to imagine that the relationship between these two will last a lifetime; with the older, more dangerous sister always keeping an eye out for her gentle sibling.

This Fine Art Print from an original oils on canvas painting is printed on 425 GSM Fine Art Archival Canvas and delivered rolled in a tube, ready for stretching or framing. Free worldwide courier delivery.

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