Home » Arts & Design » Fine Art

The African Wildlife Artwork Of Wild Faces Gallery

Ranked #2,206 in Arts & Design, #29,918 overall

The African Wildlife Paintings of Mona Majorowicz

This lens was created to showcase some of my African Wildlife Art. I collect all of my own reference photographs from private breeders or zoo's that I frequent when traveling around doing art fairs. Sadly, I've yet to actually see them in the wild. But for the intimate portraits that I do, zoos provide all the information I need.

Much of my life has been dedicated to animals. My degree is in Veterinary Technology and I have worked in many animal related jobs including a wildlife park. I have worked hands-on with both domestic and wild animals. So though I have never been to Africa I do have a deep understanding and love for animals. And my goal is to have that show throw in my work. I like to think that I paint the emotional lives of animals.

Why Exotics?
I am a sectional artists meaning I really enjoy working in a small areas, completely finishing it before moving onto the next area. This natural inclination had led me to gravitate towards animals with spots or strips (or horses in tack . . . but that's another lens.)

So these are my African critters. Some are older paintings, while others are quite new. Thanks for stopping by and having a look.

Note: You may notice upon looking through this lens that I have a fondness for giraffes as they are painted far more often than any of the other African critters. On the whole I do exotics from all over the globe so when grouped with my entire exotic collection they don't appear to dominate. None the less seeing them all here makes me think I should get after a few more other species of critter.

Add this to your lens »

Bookmark and Share

Click on the badge to read the review.

click to see review

About The Artist Of This African Wildlife Art Page

Mona Majorowicz of Wild Faces Gallery

Me demonstrating working in oil pastelsMy name is Mona Majorowicz I am a professional artist who has been making my living selling my work for some time now. I am an animal artist, (meaning I paint critters) who works primarily in Oil Pastel or Water Soluble Pencil.

I own and operate Wild Faces Gallery with my husband Mike in a small rural town in Iowa. There we sell my original artwork and prints, as well as do quality custom framing and offer Giclee printing for other artists as well as for ourselves. I have over 20 years experience in the art and framing industry, both as a business owner and as a working artist.

I write a regular column for Apples 'N Oats (an equestrian magazine) about painting horses. If you would like to see real life photos of Catch, or want to follow the painting's progress (with full story) from start to finish please visit my blog, Fur In The Paint

Animals are my passion and art is how I chose to express it.



For ordering information regarding prints of any of these images or to see the full line of horse art available, please click here to visit Wild Faces Gallery website.

Or by clicking on the image of your choice will take you to it's specific page.



Note: All of the original paintings showcased here with the exception of the work in progress piece, have been sold. However, prints are available of all of these images.

What's Your Favorite African Animal In Art?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

All copyrights are retained by the artist,
Mona Majorowicz of Wild Faces Gallery.

The artwork or content in this lens may not be used or reproduced, either
in part or in whole, without the express written consent from the artist.

Graphite Pencil Drawing Of African Elephant

Done on 2-Ply 100% cotton rag board

Leviathon: Original graphite drawing by Mona Majorowicz

Leviathan by Mona Majorowicz

This is the oldest image featured on this lens. I did this drawing before I got married. It was actually sitting unfinished on my drafting table when I went on my honeymoon. The artwork is large scale (for me) and measures 28 x 36 inches.

I have had the opportunity to sell her many times but she sort of symbolizes change in my life I can't seem to part with her. I began working on her when I was just ending my veterinary technology career and taking the first baby steps into the art one. Not to mention going from being single to married and also this is pretty much the last graphite pencil piece that I did before moving into color work. Today she hangs proudly in my gallery. Some 20 years later she still looks out into the room at me. Odd how sometimes inanimate objects can feel like friends.

Note: The original remains in the collection of the artist and reproductions were never made of this piece.

Painting Of A Giraffe In Watercolor Pencil

On Arches 140# Hor Press Watercolor Paper

Original watercolor Pencil Painting by Mona Majorowicz

Sunstruck by Mona Majorowicz



The model for Sunstruck was a bull giraffe named DJ, from the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa. He was always in motion, swiveling his ears and adjusting his mouth. His facial expressions conveyed such great character. What pulled me into doing this painting however, was all the angles and the way the light bounced off them. He seemed to almost glow.

White Rhino Painting

Watercolor Pencil On Suede Board

Original Painting Of A White Rhino by Mona MAjorowicz

White Rhino by Mona Majorowicz

I worked on this rhino painting off and on throughout the summer months and took it to multiple arts events as a demonstration piece. It is a watercolor pencil on suede board thought it has some use of water soluble wax pastel as well as water soluble ink pencil was used as well.

My model was from the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo where they have a significant white rhino breeding program.

If you would like to see start to finish pictures of this painting please visit my blog Fur In The Paint.

Grevy's Zebra Painting In Watercolor Pencil

On Arches 140# Hot Press Watercolor Paper

African Contours: Original painting by Mona Majorowicz

African Contours
by Mona Majorowicz



Who says stripes are slimming?
I am particularly fond of Grevy's zebras. Their large fluffy ears and mule like heads lend them to comical expressions. Their stripes are more numerous and are closer together than with the more common Plains Zebra. This makes for interesting patterns and angles

As a wildlife artist, the complexity and beauty of their markings is an irresistible invitation to paint them. Not to mention I am most known for my horse art. So really zebras feed both my loves. Pattern and color as well as horses.

Painting Of Five Giraffes In Watercolor Pencil

On Arches #140 Hot Press Watercolor Paper

Skyscrapers: An original watercolor pencil painting by Mona Majorowicz

Skyscrapers by Mona Majorowicz

Skyscrapers is pretty close. Giraffes are both elegant and a little goofy at the same time. They are a wonderful animal to paint though. Giraffes offer the interesting physical characteristics of a seemingly delicate structure, long neck, and large contoured ears. My painting Sunstruck was my portrayal of the elegance while this painting is a look at the more humorous side of giraffes.

This painting is a compilation of many giraffes from different locations. Last year I spent much of my summer photographing giraffes in various zoos and have added a large collection of reference materials from which I can paint. I expect there will be many more painting with this critter in my future.

Oil Pastel Painting Of A Rhino

Done On Handmade Paper

Blue Rhinoe: Original Oil Pastel by Mona Majorowicz

Blue Rhino by Mona Majorowicz

I really enjoy working on handmade paper. I love the deckled edges and the size (which is 10 1/2 x 13 inches) is just right for do quick and easy little paintings. I find I am much more adventurous when it comes with trying something new or color usage with these little guys. I mean if they wind up ruined I've only lost a couple of hours time on them and I still will have learned something valuable.

The unforeseen benefit of this was that but experimenting small I can broaden my range when working on larger more serious pieces.

Note: The original is sold and reproductions were never made of this piece.

Creature Comforts - Giraffe Painting

Painting Done In Watercolor Pencil On Suede Board.

Original painting by Mona Majorowicz

Creature Comforts by Mona Majorowicz

These two giraffes were photographed at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. The female (who's head is on the right) was all over the male with nuzzling and affection. The male was decidedly bored with her attentions. Isn't that always the way?

Grevy's Zebra Painting In Watercolor Pencil

Done on Arches 140# Hot Press Watercolor Paper

original painting by Mona Majorowicz

Romeo by Mona Majorowicz

Both Romeo and African Contours are paintings of Grevy's Zebras. I especially enjoy painting zebras because of my love for the equine family. Also I am particularly fascinated by the way the stripes follow the form of the animal and the contrasting values of light and dark.

At one time I was speaking with a landscape painter who was waxing poetic about painting fields or row crops, and her fascination with how they hug the landscape. Then she looked at my zebra paintings and and said "Ah, I see you understand."

It is generally believed that the purpose of a zebra's stripes is camouflage to confuse the predator. A herd of zebra moving in a frenzy, is a sea of stripes. It is far more difficult to separate an individual for attack.

Painting Of Resting Lion In Watercolor Pencil

Done On Arches 140# Hot Press Watercolor Paper

original watercolor pencil painting by Mona Majorowicz

He Who Greets With Fire by Mona Majorowicz

This lion was actually a compilation of several male lions. The question I get most asked about this piece is "Do they really have hair like that on the belly?" Yes. Some of them do. I have three different males in my photo reference library that have longer hair along the belly line and one of them even has feathering along the back of his legs.

This painting is kinda like some sort of rorschach test. I've been told he looks sad, he looks peaceful, he looks intense. What I was going for was slightly annoyed. By what I don't know. I think what people see if often a reflection of where they are emotionally at that moment.

Oil Pastel Painting Of A Giraffe

Done On Handmade Paper

Lofty, Oil Pastel painting by Mona Majorowicz

Lofty by Mona Majorowicz

I really do love giraffes. They have a stately quality to them and at the same time can look rather comical. Frankly this is how I see giraffes. That is, their looking down at me.

I usually prefer to do giraffes in watercolor pencils so I can put in all that glorious fussy detail. But this was a fun quick painting. The handmade paper measures 10 1/2 x 13 so the entire piece took only a few hours for an afternoon or two.

Note: The original is sold and reproductions were never made of this piece.

Oil Pastel Painting Of An African Elephant

Done on museum board

Original Oil Pastel painting by Mona Majorowicz

The Matriarch
by Mona Majorowicz

The original of this piece is quite large. I wanted to give the elephant a strong presence, so I focused in on a small portion of the whole animal. I feel greater impact was added by leaving much of the animal "outside" the Image.

Elephant skin varies greatly in texture so when doing this piece I treated the skin like a landscape. This was my first oil pastel painting. I had so much fun working with this medium that now, years later nearly half my work is done in oil pastel.

Tree Topper - Giraffe Painting

Watercolor Pencil on Suede Board

Tree Topper - Original watercolor pencil giraffe painting by Mona Majorowicz

Tree Topper
by Mona Majorowicz



This elegant looking giraffe is another from the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, IA. I used much softer coloring for the background in this painting compared to my other giraffe art. I also really liked getting some vertical in as I tend to work square shaped when painting giraffes.

The original giraffe painting was done using watercolor pencils on suede board.

Intensity - African lion painting

This Lion Painting done in watercolor Pencil on Museum Grade Suede Board

Intensity - Lion Study watercolor pencil painting

I photographed this stunning male lion on my most recent trip to the Des Moines Zoo in Iowa. Most days the lion are crashed out and sleeping so I was delighted that on this trip they were not only awake but very active. The large male was walking about, marking territory and roaring.

The title for this lion painting Intensity came from his deep focus on whatever it is he looked at. I am glad enough that those stunning gold eye weren't intensely focused on me.

Giraffe Painting Done In Watercolor Pencil

On Arches 140# Hor Press Watercolor Paper

Original watercolor pencil painting by Mona Majorowicz

The Old Bachelor
by Mona Majorowicz

The male giraffe that is the subject of this painting was quite spectacular. He was considerably larger than any of the others in the enclosure. I was particularly drawn to the character of his face. I loved all the wrinkles and the graying of his balding head and I enjoyed working with the rhythms of the shapes and patterns in his coat. The negative space (background) was also important to this work. I actually framed out my Image by how much negative space I wanted, not how much giraffe.

This giraffe is named Jimmy and was, for many years the bull at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha Nebraska. He was much loved and was greatly missed when he passed away a couple of years back. All of the young giraffes they now keep at the zoo are his descendants.

What's On The Drafting Table Now?

Work in Progress (Up To The Tweaking Stage) Giraffe Painting

Just Finished Giraffe Painting by Mona Majorowicz

And here's a cute giraffe coffee mug for the giraffe lover in your life. The image wraps totally around the mug for a handle to handle image of these whimsical yet artfully rendered giraffes.

Giraffe Coffee Mug mug
Giraffe Coffee Mug by WildFacesGallery
More Giraffe Mugs

Did You Have A Favorite Painting Of Mine?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Other Lenses Featuring My Artwork

Loading

Some Books On African Wildlife

Loading

And A Few Of My Favorite Exotic Animal Artists

Loading

Add this to your lens »

Bookmark and Share

This module only appears with actual data when viewed on a live lens. The favorite and lensroll options will appear on a live lens if the viewer is a member of Squidoo and logged in.

Add this to your lens »

I would Love To Hear From You

  • MindPowerProofs Mar 29, 2012 @ 2:41 pm | delete
    Great job! What a talent
  • ajgodinho Feb 29, 2012 @ 10:31 am | delete
    Wow, such beautiful animal paintings you've done. The detail in them is amazing. My favourite one is definitely the "Creature Comforts"...so real...blessed! :)
  • tonigrundstrom Feb 12, 2012 @ 5:11 am | delete
    Beautiful work. Blessed.
  • raphaelo May 26, 2011 @ 1:05 pm | delete
    I fall in love this lens of yours.. dearest Mona :) My special one is "Creature Comforts".. So beautiful. You're greatly lady artist I'm so proud to know. Have a wonderful time.. always :)

    PS: I don't why to erase squidcast go way.. It seems to be quiet on all board..
  • MeltedRachel May 24, 2011 @ 3:00 am | delete
    Beautiful work! Had to come and look at these after seeing the gorgeous rhino on your suedeboard lens.
  • Load More
Show All

My Other Art & Critter Related Lenses

Art Materials, Techniques and Supplies
How To Paint Fur In Watercolor Pencil
Learn About Watercolor Pencils
Using Watercolor Pencils on Suede Board
Inktense: Water Soluble Ink Pencils
Neocolor ll Water Soluble Wax Pastels
Oil Pastel Technique
Oil Pastels: Some Basic Information
Tips and Tools for working with Oil Pastels
3 Ways To Frame An Oil Pastel Painting

Art Business & Art Marketing
How To Know If You're Ready To Make Prints Of Your Art
Artwork Framing Guide
How To Care For Your Artwork and Prints
Creating A Collaborative Economy For Artists
How To Draw Remarques
Art Marketing: 6 Personality Traits For Success In The Art Market
Art Marketing: When Selling Art Predictable Is Popular
Art Marketing:The Two Most Common Myths
Selling Art: Tips From An Art Fair Veteran

Art Fair & Art Fair Gear Lenses
An Art Fair Primer
All Good Things Come From Art Fairs
20 Things I've Learned From 20 Years of Doing Art Fairs
Choosing The Right Art Fair
Preparing Art Fair Slides & Digital Images For The Jury
Artwork Display Panels
Directors Chair Resource
Art Fair Equipment Essentials
Art Fair Tents And Canopies

Lenses About Me And My Art
Artwork To Benefit Equine Rescue
Wild Faces Gallery Art Lensography
Animal Totems: An Art Series
The Horse Paintings Of Wild Faces Gallery
The African Wildlife Art of Wild Faces Gallery
The Zen Horse: An Art Series
The Draft Horse Art Of Wild Faces Gallery

Art & Critter Related Books, Movies and Music
The Art Books Of Robert Vavra
Hidalgo: The Movie
My Favorite Horse Movies
The Classic Horse Books Of Marguerite Henry
Music For The Art Of Creating
Author Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Series
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Art Books Of Robert Bateman
House Of Night Vampire Book Series
Vampire Academy Books Series
The Best Books For Women Who Love Horses
The Best Books For Horse Lovers
Oliver: The Original Gallery Cat
Chicory The Wonder Horse
A Tribute To My Faithful Friend Brutus
Is Declawing A Cat Cruel?
The World Percheron Congress 2010
My Dog Cisco: A Day In The Life Of A Retired Farming Dog
Your Cat Related Questions Answered By Budda The Cat
Meet The Budda
Budda's Dream Time Wish List

Picture Framing & Misc. Artsy Fartsy Stuff
How To Make Paper
How To Collect Your Own Reference Photo Library And Why You Should
Organizing Your Photo Reference Library
How To Stretch Mount A Cross Stitch
Mat Cutting: How To Cut The Basic Mat

Christmas Card, Ornament and Gift Lenses
Create Your Own Christmas And Holiday Art Cards
Alphabet Block Christmas Tree Ornaments
Hanpainted Victorian Christmas Tree Ornaments
How To Make Heart Button Pillow Ornaments
How To Make Felt Carousel Christmas Tree Ornaments
Free Crochet Snowflake Patterns
Handmade Christmas Ornaments, Cards, Gifts & Decorations Lensography
Antique, Vintage & Victorian Postcards
Create These Easy Vintage Postcard Christmas Tree Ornaments
Carousel Horse Christmas Tree Ornaments
Color Fun With Crayola
Art Supplies For Kids
Breyer Collectible Holiday Horses

My Blog: Fur In The Paint

Loading

by

WildFacesGallery

My name is Mona Majorowicz. I am a professional artist who has been making my living selling my work for some time now. I have been in the art and framing... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Explore related pages

Related Tags