Some subjects find you before you find them.
My latest painting began with a photograph of Satao, one of the most iconic elephants ever to roam the Tsavo ecosystem in Kenya. Satao was a “super tusker”, known for his immense ivory and the remarkable calmness in his eyes. His real story is a painful one; I will not retell it here. But the way he carried himself, with gentleness, dignity and ancient wisdom, stayed with me.
Satao’s life represents both the vulnerability and the resilience of Africa’s elephants. For decades, elephants in the Tsavo region have faced the ongoing threat of ivory poaching, habitat loss and the pressures of sharing land with an increasing human population. And yet, there is extraordinary hope rising from the same red soil.
Following Satao’s death, conservation teams intensified their efforts.
Ranger programmes grew stronger.
Anti-poaching units improved their resources and training.
Community conservation projects expanded.
And slowly, elephant numbers in Tsavo have begun to rise.
Satao left a legacy that is shaping real, measurable change.
As I painted, I found myself thinking about all the ways people can help protect these incredible animals — even from thousands of miles away. Most of us will never work on the front lines of conservation, but every one of us can play a part:
• Following and supporting organisations like Tsavo Trust,Save the Elephants, and Sheldrick Trust
• Choosing ethical safari operators when we travel
• Refusing ivory in all forms
• Sharing awareness gently, without fear or shock
• Honouring elephants as individuals, not statistics
Art is my way of joining that effort.
This painting isn’t a memorial to Satao — it’s a celebration of the light he still inspires. It’s a reminder of the astonishing beings who walk the wild places of our world and the responsibility we share to protect them.
When the piece is finished, I hope it carries some of Satao’s quiet wisdom. And if it encourages even one more person to care, learn, or act, then that is a legacy worth painting for.