“The Matriarch” Pachyderm (On the Zambezi River, Africa)

There is nothing quite as breath taking as viewing a herd of elephants in the wild. The Matriarch stands out as the hub of a complex social network. Most elephant families units consist of a mother and 20 of her immature young, sisters, aunts and grandmothers. Usually the oldest, most experienced female takes this lead. Matriarchs carry with them a treasure trove of crucial information and have a unique influence over their group. Daughters remain within their group for life while sons strike out on their own. Matriarchs are instrumental in keeping their groups fed, watered, safe and reproducing.

Despite an international trade ban on ivory in 1989, poaching continues as demands for ivory surged in recent years. Once poachers have killed the largest males, mature matriarchs are their next targets. What happens to a group that loses its matriarch is not clear.

The inspiration for “ Matriarch” is taken from my documented series of photographs (2015), while drifting on the Zambezi River, Africa.
Following a detailed sketching of the Matriarch’s face, I overlaid many layers of glazes: Rose of Ultramarine, Moonglow to Quinacridone Gold. Her majesty is appropriately gilt framed.