"Don't
Move"
Oil on panel, 16x20, Original is sold
Giclée canvas prints avaulable:
16"x20", edition size 100 s/n
$775 unframed, $975 framed
My painting depicts an untold story,
which starts after the hunt has ended. Its nearing twilight,
my favorite time of the day, and only the remnants of the ubiquitous
afternoon tea remains on the campsite tables. A white linen tablecloth
sits with its china teapot, assorted jams and a few leftover
scones and cakes. On the other table, three nearly empty teacups.
Seated is the dashing and eccentric white hunter, Fritz Shindelar
with the two daughters of his client, Mr. Barclay owner of a
bank. Fritz, characteristically, was probably titillating his
audience with exaggerated stories of his heroism and daring deeds.
It could have been the sound of an ox
pecker or the casual snorting sound from behind, but without
turning or missing a beat, Shindelar gently touches the arm of
one of his charges and whispers Dont Move.
They turn slowly, very slowly. Almost
imperceptible. Boldly standing behind is a rhino like something
from a prehistoric dream, his round ears cocked forward in their
direction. Having browsed his way into the clearing, there he
stands, shortsighted in both brains and vision, all three thousand
pounds of him, seemingly unaware of their presence. Their challenge
is to either wait him out or find sanctuary. With 20/20 hindsight,
they quickly chose no action as the best action. A similar scenario
two days earlier and a lesson learned, led them to this wise
decision. Earlier a rhino had startled the eldest daughter, she
screamed and ran for a tree, which she climbed. The rhino saw
her movement and gave chase. Fritz immediately mounted his horse
and rode off to save the damsel. When he reached the tree he
dismounted and played a game of tag with the rhino, round the
tree, perhaps to impress the girl, who knows? Finally he shot
the beast and helped the grateful young lady down from the tree.
Obviously this was a lesson well learned.
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