Giraffes are fascinating creatures. Gentle animals, towering high above other African animals, they are the subject of interest and study for animal lovers, scientists and artists alike!
The inspiration for these pieces, “Twin Giraffes,” dimensions: 17″H x 10″W x 12″D, and “Sentinel,”22″H x 12″W x 12″D, came to me after my adventure on Safari in Kenya. These beautiful animals manage to appear majestic, even as they munch away at the tree tops! When I studied these animals in the wild, I often noticed how the giraffe’s head and its tail pointed in the same direction in the wild. I sculpted them in this manner.
Just as artists continue to study and explore representations of our subjects, so too do scientists and researchers. Scientists recently released a report suggesting that giraffes inherit their spots and stripes from their mothers. Previously, it had been assumed that the patterns were random or based on environmental factors.
An article in ScienceNews noted that the group spent “four years photographing the coats of 31 mother-and-baby giraffe sets in Tanzania from 2012 to 2016. Image analysis software then helped the researchers compare 
the patterns within each pair according to 11 traits, including spot shape, size and color.”
The article explained, “Researchers reported October 2 in PeerJ. that the size and shape of those splotches can also affect a giraffe’s chances of surviving in the wild.”
This beautiful, graceful, sleek creature was exciting to view in the wild and a thrill to create as works of bronze sculpture art.
These, and other original bronze and crystal sculptures are available for purchase. Contact me to discuss ordering or visit one of my affiliated galleries.
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