Mandy Shepherd – Around the World in 30 Days ‘Elephant’ Original

Medium:  Oil on Board

Dimensions: 21 x 15cm

As quoted by Mandy: One of the most memorable days I’ve ever had in the bush was in Botswana sitting at a waterhole, going nowhere and watching Africa go by ALL DAY. We went for an early morning game drive and got back to camp after dark. It was quite incredible watching all manner of species come and go but it was the elephants that were the icing on the cake. The elephant for me will always be the species most associated with my Father and our family. How grateful to him am I that he and the elephants gave us our love and eternal passion Africa. Our sincere thanks to Mandy for contributing 65% of the sale to the Foundation.  Mandy is one of DSWF’s Art Ambassadors.   She was born in 1960 with her art career beginning in late school life with a mackerel! Her art teacher was so impressed by this unexpected ‘creation’ that it was rushed home to show Mandy’s father. That surprise moment was a milestone and her career path was set.  After an unrelenting Foundation year at The Byam Shaw she then completed an honours degree at Brighton, travelling to Africa soon after. Mandy spent two years in Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa working with a leading advertising agency in Harare during independence, with a gallery in Johannesburg and managed to establish her own painting style at the same time.  She staged her first sell-out solo show in Zimbabwe in 1980 and then returned to London to set up a studio. In 1995 she visited the Falklands which marked a major turning point in her career. She took on military subjects recording military history and events. Portraiture is also a huge part of her portfolio creating a broad portfolio but wildlife is her first love.  Taking safaris and travelling across the globe has allowed her to use her art to keep close to the world of conservation. Mandy lives and works in the UK.