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A new online shop will be opening in early 2010 which will stock a new range of A Brush with Africa gifts. This will also coincide with the opening of Simons Studio and gallery. Details of which will be posted on the Home page. The Studio/Gallery will only be on an invitation basis only and will not be open to the passing public.

The Angel of Death is a name often given to the Hyena by a number of tribes in Central and Eastern Africa. It is with this in mind that I have decided to name this unusual painting, DANCE OF THE ANGEL.

Sometimes a lone or old Hyena will follow a pack of Cape Hunting Dogs (also called Painted Wolves) for many hours or even days to scavenge or in some cases attack the pack's young or infirm. If the Hyena comes too close or indeed becomes a nuisance, the pack will suddenly turn on it. The ensuing attack is a very noisy affair which invariably attracts the attention of other Hyena's or larger predators from miles around, resulting in a stalemate and the Hyena finally bolting for freedom.

Cape hunting dogs will not usually take on more than one of these bone crushing scavengers and although these squabbles often result in just a few bites and bruises and a somewhat dented pride for the Hyena it can in some cases end in serious injury or even death. The Hyena will always protect the most vulnerable part of its anatomy which is its backside by either sitting on it or wedging it in the nearest available hole. Snapping and lunging at its attackers with its formidable jaws, it makes it's stand.

This painting depicts one such scene.

One of my paintings of a lioness playing with her cubs.

The first cup of Tea was an accident.
In 2737 BC the Chinese Emperor, Shen Nung, was sitting beneath a tree while his servant boiled drinking water. A leaf from the tree dropped into the water and Shen Nung decided to try the Brew. The tree was a wild tea tree.

Have a look at the stages I use in painting some of my Images by clicking on Work in Progress on the Menu Bar at the top of this page..

Various brushes, Tea, Ochre pigment, Masking fluid, Scalpel and Water colour paper make up the tools of my Trade.

A visit to the United States has motivated Simon to add North American wildlife to his portfolio.

To VIEW his two new images, go to gallery 13 which can be found in the online gallery on the main menu bar above.