Happy Holidays!

Chacma baboons are great fun to watch and I have long been fascinated by their antics in my travels around the Cape Peninsula of South Africa. It is impossible to observe baboons and not project human emotions and behaviours on them; they are fascinating to watch precisely because their actions seem so humanlike. I remember an incident a few years ago... We stopped briefly at Sir Lowry’s Pass outside Cape Town and encountered a mother baboon nursing her dead baby. It was one of the most heart rending sights I have seen and still haunts me today. Watching them reveals their distinctive personalities, like this youngster who is quite obviously having a great time at her mother’s expense. The mother looks exhausted but doesn't seem to think its worth complaining about...
Sadly, though, these intelligent and social creatures are becoming regarded as pests more and more. Traditionally, a Chacma baboon will not approach humans or show much interest in them, but this has changed as many tourists feed them and as a result they associate tasty treats with humans.

So next time you’re traveling in the area, please take note of the signs warning visitors not to feed the baboons as these amazing creatures are paying the ultimate price and look destined to become yet another African wildlife statistic.

http://www.baboonmatters.org.za/

IT'S NOT JUST A BICYCLE...

One of the things that struck me on my first visit to Tanzania, was the importance of the humble bicycle in every day African life...

A bicycle can change a life in a poor country... It not only offers a sense of freedom (not to mention ‘status’) to rural villagers but is also a means of providing access to work, education and even healthcare.

Taking a trip around the small island of Zanzibar, I saw how much the inhabitants rely on bicycles for getting firewood, the day's catch, a basket of coconuts or even a friend; home… Owning a bicycle can have a substantial impact on the lives of Africa's rural poor. This artwork is a tribute to the 'baiskeli' that has brought about such significant changes in the lives of many African people.

* Note: 'baiskeli' is the Swahili word for 'bicycle'.

2009 Peter Pharoah Print Collection

New Prints Added to our Collection
Be the first to own one of the new prints added to Peter Pharoah's 2009 Print Collection. Our Giclee Prints are produced to the highest standard on Hahnemuhle Fine Art canvas using archival inks. 100 Limited Edition prints of each. International Postage or Door to Door delivery available. Credit card payments accepted.

Please email us if you would like a copy of our print catalogue. ART PRINTS ENQUIRY

Symphony of Flight

The Inspiration of Birds

Peter’s passion for flying and hang gliding has fostered a lifelong enchantment with birds of all types; these beautiful winged creatures provide an infinite source of inspiration…

“Birds inspire us with their graceful beauty, their passionate songs of love and joy, their incredible ability in the skies – every bird has a unique allure - For some, it’s their breathtaking beauty, their colourful plumage, for others it’s their flight, their song, their intricate love rituals and courtship displays.”

“Birds speak to us in many ways and with many voices providing spiritual inspiration as well as a sense of peace and tranquility while their speed and agility serves to inspire us to new heights. I wanted to capture this rapturous symphony and exceptional grace through my interpretation of their amazing symphony of flight.”

Copyright : Peter Pharoah - August 2008

African Plains

“As I watched the herd grazing, I observed their fascinating markings that appear to have been painted onto their bodies, their legs disappearing in the mirage forged by the intensity of the bushveld sun. Occasionally, one of them turns a black and white face lazily in my direction, as if to acknowledge me briefly then continues grazing without trepidation or fear. The serenity of the moment is captured in the stark stillness of the blistering heat. It is moments such as these that draw me back into the heart of Africa year after year.”

The zebra is one of the most distinct of all African symbols and Peter has always been very cautious about painting the more common or 'typical' African themes. In many cases, paintings of these subjects can appear contrived and almost 'clichéd', so he approaches the subject with the intention of creating an artwork that would fill the imagination with the richness of Africa in all its forms. Beginning with a burnt sienna background, he sketched the animals’ coats creating amazing designs which, while almost abstract, were still obviously identifiable as a herd of zebra. Drawing with raw simplicity his initial sketch made it unnecessary to show the entire animal - just a couple of stripes, here and there, hinting at the herd grazing peacefully in the bushveld plains. Once again, his bold use of colour defines the subject and helps to emphasise the heat and dust of Africa - The simplicity of the design, together with the rich colours and interesting textures all coalesce in his unique interpretation of one of the most intrinsic images of Africa.
Peter works from reference gathered on regular trips around Africa. The image which inspired this artwork came from reference collected at Mkhuzi Game Reserve in Northern Kwazulu Natal in April 2005.
© PETER PHAROAH

Happy Anniversary..

"It arrived!! Safe and sound and looking fabulous! I gave it to my husband last night and he couldn't believe I had done such a fabulously audacious thing but absolutely adores it and we put it above our bed this am! Thanks again. I can assure you it has gone to a very good home!" says Sophie from London, UK.

Congratulations to you both - enjoy your artwork and may it bring back many special memories of your recent trip to South Africa. Best wishes from the Pharoahs.

Current Exhibition at Upper Deck Art Gallery in Plettenberg Bay

'Peter's work was received VERY well and opening night was a great success!' says Andre Ferreira. The exhibition includes a number of well known artists such as Maureen Quinn, Raymond Andrews and others.

Visit the exhibition at the Upper Deck Art Gallery in Plettenberg Bay or visit their website at http://www.upperdeckgallery.co.za/

For more information please contact :

Andre or Gen at +27(0)44 533 6914.

Forthcoming exhibition at the Upper Deck - Plettenberg Bay

The Upper Deck gallery at Plettenberg Bay visited Peter's studio in Wilderness to select a few pieces for inclusion in their forthcoming exhibition which opens on Friday 20th June 2008. Visit the Upper Deck website at http://www.upperdeckgallery.co.za/

How Do I Create a Unique Painting Style?

Peter's paintings are all about his unique interpretation of the world around us.. His wildly expressive colours and textures say much about his intense passion for Africa, it's wildlife and tribal heritage while his abstracts are a joyful expression of colour - read more about the importance of creating your own style in the following article...

http://painting.about.com/od/paintingforbeginnersfaq/f/FAQ_style.htm

First Flight!!!

Friday, 23rd May 2008
We took to the skies for a sunset flight in Peter's latest pride and joy, a Jabiru J430. Had a 30min flip from George to Wilderness buzzing all our friends and family but sadly no one was home...

Skilled co-pilot, Terence enjoying a flight with his Dad! The whole family has been waiting with breathless anticipation for the magical day but when it finally arrived, Terence was a little peeved to hear that he had to sit in the back seat as he'd put in many hours of practice on the Flight Simulator!!!

See you in the skies soon...

Article on Peter's style and technique

Canvasses of Africa a hit...

Recent article in the Weekend Post.
Wilderness artist Peter Pharoah‘s works depicting heat and dust of the continent almost all destined for Europe, writes Timothy Twidle.

The paintings of Peter Pharoah, who lives and works at Wilderness on the Garden Route, are in such demand that 90 per cent of his output leaves the country, destined to adorn the homes of foreign buyers in Euroland countries. In his paintings, Pharoah juxtaposes slabs of colour rather in the manner of the great French artists with the same finesse as the notes of a Beethoven piano sonata. For Pharoah, art has always been pivotal in his life...
Read more ... http://www.weekendpost.co.za/main/2008/02/09/life/lf01_09022008.htm

Copyright Infringement Comes Close to Home

How would you feel if you walked into a home-decorating store at a mall and saw prints of your paintings being sold? Cheap and badly done prints to add to the insult? It's not that I hadn't ever heard of it happening, it's that having it happen to the artist who created the painting I have hanging in pride of place in my lounge, and at a chain of stores I shop at myself, makes it really hit home. Read the full article...
http://painting.about.com/b/2008/02/10/copyright-infringement-comes-close-to-home.htm