Many collectors of Gary’s drawings have said they treasure the “spirit” or “feeling” of the wild captured on the paper. Those that know Gary have some idea of why this is the case, because of his own nature. But Gary has also always tried to draw from wild references, whenever possible.

There can be no doubt that some of the extraordinary opportunities he has had to observe wildlife directly affect his art.  He has travelled widely in Europe, travelling to Portugal to observe Iberian wolves being kept for re-release into the wild. He has touched a wild grey whale and walked among elephant seals in Mexico.

GARY’S HAND ON A WILD GREY WHALE IN MEXICO  PHOTO: DAVE CURREY

In Africa he has travelled to Kenya and Tanzania on many occasions. Driving themselves, he and his partner have sat all day amongst a group of elephants, smelling the bush and hearing the elephants’ snorts and chewing.  In Kenya they have spent months in Samburu, Tsavo, Masai Mara, Nakuru, Amboseli. In Tanzania they have travelled extensively around Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara, Tarangire, Arusha, Mikumi and Ruaha.

GARY WATCHES ELEPHANT HERD IN TSAVO N.P.  PHOTO: SIMON TREVOR

Indonesia provided a tougher environment with rampant logging, orphaned orang-utans and the leach infested wet, humid rainforest. In Venezuela, with other artists he has watched caiman, in Indonesia, estuarine crocodile, in Africa, Nile crocodile, and in Nepal, gharial.

You can find out more about Gary’s inspiration from observing wild animals and wild places by following the links below:

Indonesia

Kenya

Nepal

Portugal

Tanzania

Venezuela