"Usho"

Recently I had the pleasure of bumping into this Old Gentleman - as i walked toward him  to get closer  a great sadness descended upon me - a realisation that this is an experience that few will ever have . These Old men are few and  far between now , he and others like him are symbols of what we had once and have now lost -destroyed by our weakness for what we call wealth  .
These great Monarchs have been the subject of legends , stories of their existence having passed from generation to generation -titillating the imaginations of those who have paused to listen .
Perhaps its our ego that pushes us to conquer and dominate - or perhaps its our need to never be still that drives us to complicate everything we do .
Intelligence - the word we use as a crutch to comfort ourselves , and make  excuses for our seemingly inability to gain perspective - a word we use to belittle other species , and allow us to lay claim to that throne our ego drives us to
They say that wisdom comes with age ?
I believe that wisdom comes with silence !

Will Maberly 2014

The Ngweshla Sentinel 

Energy

Buffalo bull , Zambezi Valley  2013

As they say sometimes pictures portray a 1000 words , this picture displays power to me , the amazing strength and power of animal comes out of the picture and effects me . Perhaps its because I know these animals well and their capabilities ,what ever it is there is no mistaking the awesome strength  here.

As i watched this Dagga boy , I felt no hostility toward me - despite the fact that we  were close , perhaps he sensed the same in me .

 There is an enormous tranquility and quietness that comes from the wild , slipping over our shoulders like some favourite blanket or garment , we get a sense of warmth and peace from the wild  that makes us feel we are home .

Will Maberly 2013 

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