Spots on my drawing board

Larry, my newest colored pencil drawing is inspired by my time in Samburu, Kenya. 

Our guide spotted (!) this handsome leopard in an acacia tree brimming with richly colored birds.

Leopards tend to while away the hours up in trees. Their stunning spotted coat camouflages them, making them blend in with the leaves of the tree. 

We sat tight with this leopard for at least an hour until he dropped out of his perch. We were then scrambling, along with a dozen other tourist vehicles for the best place to watch him.

Leopards are ambush predators, so they crouch low to sneak up to their prey and pounce before it has a chance to react.

Leopards are solitary creatures that only spend time with others when they are mating or raising young.

Pretty soon he ambled out of view into a dense part of the woods, we took off then to find a smattering of elephants down the road!

Observation Post, Kathryn Hansen  7x10  (c)2016  $800.00

Why are elephants so wrinkled?

This dynamic duo are up next on my drawing board. 

After combing through hundreds and hundreds of photos from my Africa trip, I mashed these two elephants together. Lorelai, the mom is actually from Amboseli National Park and her baby Rory is from Samburu but in my small drawing they have always been mom and baby! 

Not sure if I will add any birds to this one as I want the emphasis to be on Rory's turned head, looking back at the viewer. 

I am hoping to have it done in time for the TAG Gallery Open California Exhibit in August, which means it needs to be completed by mid June. Not sure if I will be able to make it but I am going to give it my best shot!

(They take too long to iron!)