untamedartists

YEAH, YEAH I know I seem to fade in and out like some sort of ghost...but trust me, I'm still pluggin along!

Remember this guy? Well, there's an upcoming art show that I think I'll try and finish it for. I was supposed to be working on my BG exercises for my devil painting but I really thought this would help establish a BG that I could actually start to develop for that piece, instead of painting BG Willy Nilly that would not be used. That's what I'm telling myself anyway (don't tell Leigh )

It's also persuaded me to go out and buy some pastels...CP in this size takes SOOOOO much time. So many layers and such a pointy pencil on such a BIG piece of paper...this should be about a $20,000 piece

Anyway here where it's at:

Holy Toledo!! If you keep that intensity up, this is going to be magnificent!! That dense grass is just outstanding.

Wow Tazz! Now I'm very pleased mate! This is looking awesome. I think we're due for another skype session soon... the second devil looks wonderful.

This is going to be a beauty,agree with Patrick on the grass,great work.

Best from mike.

Thanks guys, you're awesome. Here's an update...

Yeah Leigh, we do need to hook up. Deb and I are off to Kenya in a week so I'm pretty preoccupied. I still really need to spend time with my camera this week and have a chance of understanding it at least a little.

When I get back though I want to finish this piece get it into a show and come out of the closet as an artist. Then we can look at getting this painting done and a devil project going...so MUCH to do.

Anywho here it is...the devils from HELL

Really nice work tazz,love the colours in the fur.

Best from mike.

Mitch, this is the best thing I've seen you do yet! It's looking superb. The reclining devil is just amazing!

Oh look, the ghost is back

I'd love to see this IRL. It looks remarkable

Thanks Mike, yeah I'm pretty pleased with those colors. Didn't know how I was going to pull it off. In the ref the sun is on the devil and the colors really are beautiful.

Thank you Leigh. Well...it will certainly be my most finished piece. I've never gone this far with a piece before.

BOOOOO ... Thanks Patrick. Ya know Tassy isn't that far away, I'll let you know when the show is. Hell, I'll even let you buy it ...now who's the ghost

Anyway, most of this week has been spent behind the lens. I've learned a lot about my new equipment so hopefully I will have MANY, MANY ref pics to work with when I get back home. While we're there we're also going to try and get into see the Sweet Waters Chimp Sanctuary. Might be a little to late for your project Leigh and Patrick, but I'll see what I can do.

Thanks Mitch, we'll no doubt have a need for them following the current project as we've got more irons in the fire to keep going with. Enjoy your trip and we'll catch up when you return.

Mitch, you are making me insanely jealous!!! I was starting to plan my next trip (don't know when yet) and I asked Eric Wilson where his favourite spot is and he said it used to be Zimbabwe but that's rediculous at present, so it's Kenya now. Pretty good recommendation. He says there's tourists everywhere but for out and out wildlife photo opportunities, Kenya wins hands down. I haven't been since 1994 and I know it's changed a lot.

And well you should be jealous, my wife has done just an awesome job with this trip. If all goes the way she has it planned...WOW. Really unbelievable on the budget we had...I love that woman!

Whole trip in the same Land Rover with just us and my parents (no Mini Vans with other people) and the same guide the whole trip. And Kenya still hasn't come back from that bit of turmoil it had so tourist numbers are half. The migration started about three weeks early, but we should still catch parts of it. Just two more sleeps....

OK, OK...I can't help it, I'm about ready to jump out of my skin, I can't help but to show the itinerary...now you're REALLY gonna be jealous

Day 1 19 Aug Arrive in Nairobi. Macushla House.
Day 2 20 Aug Fly to Samburu. Larsen’s Tented Camp.
Day 3 21 Aug Larsen’s Tented Camp.
Day 4 22 Aug Drive to Nanyuki. Sweetwater’s Tented Camp.
Day 5 23 Aug Drive to Lake Nakuru. Mbweha Camp (Congreve).
Day 6 24 Aug Mbweha Camp
Day 7 25 Aug Fly to Maasai Mara. Nyumbu Camp (Olare Orok).
Day 8 26 Aug Nyumbu Camp. Night game drives/nature walks.
Day 9 27 Aug Nyumbu Camp.
Day 10 28 Aug Drive to Mara Serena Lodge. Migration please.
Day 11 29 Aug Mara Serena Lodge.
Day 12 30 Aug Fly to Nairobi. Visit Hope Streams Academy School. Depart home.

Private Safari Includes:
Accommodation as stipulated in the itinerary
Transport in 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser, fully equipped and air-conditioned
HF Radio, roof hatches, luggage space, fire extinguishers
Experienced, bush savvy, English-speaking driver/guide (and mechanic) for entire safari
Fuel
Park fees for you, driver and vehicle
Unlimited game drives
Internal flights
Transfers
Mineral water
Comprehensive medical box and first aid kit
Biscuits and sweets (nibbles in the car)
Welcome packages - As You Like It T-shirt and cap/hat
Beanbags (for steadying cameras)
Umbrellas Gumboots Government taxes and levies

SO very exciting...we even get gumboots

Oh sod off!!! I'm not your friend anymore! And as for your wife!!!!!!!



By the way, I lived in Nakuru for four years. I've been around Nanyuki quite a bit (including to the top of Mount Kenya - beat that!!) and had a great trip in the Mara but no migration at the time. However, I never, in 14 years, got to Samburu. It's wild up there I hear. You'll have a brilliant time, and get ready to barter. Try to grab a couple of phrases of Swahili as well as people appreciate it.

In case I don't "see" you again, have a fantastic time!!

You're my friend...you love me

I knew you lived in Africa, but I didn't know where. I would imagine that it would take many, many trips to equal the experience of living there.

We have our little phrase book some gifts and 200 books for a temporary school that we sent money to build. There were 130 kids that were getting kicked out of their's because the lease ran out and they had no place to go. At the end of the trip we get to spend a day with them.

We really are getting so excited. No sleep tonight.

Anyway, I'll talk to you guys when I get back, share some pics and get stuck into my art work.

Good luck with your project, and keep them chimps comeing.

NOW I"M JEALOUS! I've always wanted to go on a trip like that.
Take a ton of pics!

Gary