Perspective

Recently , we witnessed a scene that has played on my emotions ever since , I have spent much time since then thinking about it , and the deeper lessons from witnessing this

We came across a mature Elephant cow , whose baby of probably 3 months or so had died . This happens a lot , and I have often seen these young calves that have passed away , but I have never really witnessed the grief of their Mothers

Her whole demeanour was one of sadness and anger – in fact almost rage that her child had died ,she was standing there for some hours protecting the body of this young animal from predators and Vultures , repeatedly leaving , and then charging back to chase the birds off  

I witnessed the moment she left for the last time – to wander off  and perhaps link back up with her long gone family group , there was a moment , as she stood over the calf , before she left for the last time where it seemed that her body went limp and she hung her head , trunk on the ground , next to her calf-Perhaps it was the moment she made up her mind to go on in life , then she stood proud and aggressively looked at the waiting scavengers , and me and then left .

It was at this stage that I felt ashamed that I had disturbed her ,it was so real to me – the play out of emotions , her anger and fear ,and yet her almost stoic acceptance of the duality that is life and death .

I could feel her sadness as she trekked off , not looking back any more , perhaps she was teaching me a lesson , perhaps I was witnessing this for a reason – and I sat for some hours working through what I had seen and what I should learn from it .In fact when she walk passed me she was quite aggressive , making a point I guess !-  perhaps for me its time to move on from some things in my life – stuff holding me back from what I am destined to do .

I  believe that its all here for us – we just have to open our minds to it and have strength in our convictions – its like we have to let it in . I personally find it very hard to let it in with the day to day lives that we lead , its hard to get perspective – we are jammed up with things that have no real value – Its only when I sit with the earth that can I get perspective, only when we walk where the animals walk  do we really see !

The Now

The Now

Oil on Canvas

120 x 90 cm

A Picture depicting the Magnificence and the presence of right now !

There is nothing quite like the power of An African sunset to bring us to the present .The incredible colors and aura last for a few minutes , hence the concentration to the present .

We live so much of our lives out of the present –in a place we can never be . Yet Life is only now

Will Maberly 2013

Your Life is Now
Your Life situation is mind stuff
Your Life is real
Find the narrow gate that leads to life , it is called the Now
Narrow your life down to this moment ,Your life situation may be full of problems –most life situations are –But find out if you have any problem at the moment –Not tomorrow or in 10 minutes –But now – Do you have a problem now ?
Echart Tolle

The Wild

THE WILD

120CM X 90CM

Oil On Canvas

A painting inspired by many thoughts and visions over years of being in the presence of the Wild.  The coming together of a pictures sights, smells and sounds. There is almost a sense of relief after the first rain,  like the bushveld is at last breathing again.  The aftermath of the first rains on Africa’s hot dry rugged landscapes and the almost uncharacteristic tints of the skies.  The awesome, almost spiritual presence of Baobabs, some thousands of years old.  The sight of old Dagga boys under the palm trees, and the incredibly humble feeling that we feel in the presence of an angry Bull elephant.
Without exception we are all affected by The Wild, it is not only where we come from, but it’s where we belong.

Will Maberly 2012

Mana August 2013

Mana Pools -Timeless beauty 

August 2013

August 2013

As the sunsets on another August , lets pause for a moment, and take it  in – another winter gone –  heralding the start of new life in the wild from here on the rains will fall soon , nature will again regenerate !.

August is my favorite part of the year, as an artist, the light at this time of the year  is indescribably beautiful – If we look through our eyes and not just “with“  them – you will find  magnificent colors in what appears to be a grey and dry appearance.  Nature  comes alive for me now –there is a haunting beauty to it all and an ambiance that is so typically Africa ! .

There is a special feeling to it  - a powerful energy to this seemingly harsh environment, that has enticed us and those like us for centuries -we have  chosen to be here. In The Zambezi Valley now the Mopane has changed to that rusty brown color, and there is an aroma, a distinctive blend that swirls around and  through us like an invisible energy  – making us feel we are truly home!

As I sit here in my studio – I am fascinated at how similar life is to a painting

In a painting, we form an end result in our mind, we may even sketch it – but how we get there with the brushstrokes, the blends of colour, the textures – the directions of the strokes are what forms our ultimate painting!  In fact just a bunch of black lines on paper aligned in various ways, actually ultimately can turn out to be a beautiful image.

So to – does everything we do in life, the way behave, what we say, the way we make people feel  - like the blends of colour, and strokes of different sizes of brush –  we become what we are! We are perhaps the artist of our own lives!

August is a time of many momentous occasions in my life and the lives of some of those who surround me. Aside from the fact that my daughter’s birth is in this month, and mine for that matter, as well as my wedding anniversary - it is also the part of the season that reminds me of a very special person in my life.

Eight years ago this time,  my brother left us on the next journey that we all take – in the greater order of things it was the way it was meant to be – although perhaps at the time we didn’t understand that –

Sim played such an incredible role in so many peoples lives and he shines through us all still today, but especially through his children.  A man of the moment, a man deeply connected to nature –  his time that he shared with us was adventurous and wild. As most of the actual memories will fade for some of us, the love for one another that we shared strengthens – the effect he had on mine and many other lives, makes us glow inside and smile knowingly, and whilst we may have forgotten some of the things he said, we will never forget the way he made us feel!

“Sim - your painting is a work of art  –  and we will cherish it forever!”

For so much of this gift we have called life, we live in the future, on an eternal search for something that is not here – lets remind ourselves that life is here, it is now – and how we conduct ourselves right now is what counts

“All my life I have been knocking on the door, only to find that when it opened – I was on the inside!”-Rumi

Perhaps if we can learn from all of this we should learn - Money cannot buy you what’s important in life - that we are here right now, be in this moment, love with passion, and most of all remember, that we are constantly painting our picture, so do it with love as love is our wealth – and above all do it with joy!

,

Love is a promise that is always kept, a fortune that can never be spent, a seed that can flourish in even the most unlikely of places.  It is this radiance that never fades a mysterious and magical joy. It is the greatest treasure of all – one known only by those who love.

Will Maberly  August 2013

Zambezi Ladies 

Oil On Canvas 

120cm x 90cm 

A picture inspired by many years in the presence of elephants.

There is something about being on the Zambezi flood plain that affects many – looking across, towards the Zambian escarpment, with low light on the hills in the distance.

I sketched most of this picture on location, the ever present groups of elephant cows and calves moving to and from the great Zambezi River to water.

In the drier months, far away from the river ,long journeys are made to small resilient pans. The sight of these great mothers and their over eager calves rushing with great expectancy into the pans is spell binding. Their social manner is incredible to watch.

Will Maberly 2012

Siblings

"Siblings "

Oil On Canvas 

120x100cm 

Trees have fascinated me for ever , One of my favorite African trees is the  Camel thorn , They have the most incredible character , growing in the most incredible shapes and patterns .Historically they have been a real part of Africa , the wood being used for many applications by man –including wagon wheel bearings! They are one of the highlights of any visit to the areas they inhabit in Hwange , and other wild areas .

This particular tree is behind Ngweshla Camp in Hwange National Park , a place I have spent many hours  relishing in the privilege of life ! The pattern of growth of this tree has always reminded me of two very close brothers  , who look the same and do the same things -inseparable in life  and death ! –“ Attached at the hip” as they say

Will Maberly 2011