£30.00 – £275.00
Sometimes, an idea comes effortlessly, dropped into our laps by the universe, fully formed and ready to go. Journey’s End was one of those, and Follow the Leader? is another. Typically, creating a painting feels like a battle between the mind’s creativity and the canvas’s physical constraints. The finished work is often a compromise, leaving us wondering if we got it right or, more often, what went wrong?!
With Follow the Leader?, though, everything flowed smoothly from the start. Ann had the idea of a “swimming elephant” after seeing a photo in an old magazine—probably National Geographic—of an Indian elephant swimming, sunlight flickering through the water and dappling its hide. It was a vivid image, sure, but one lacking a story.
This was back in May 2024. Amid subsequent political upheaval and global uncertainty, the elephant became something more within the painting. Could it be leading a shoal of colourful fish, unaware it’s about to leave them behind as it walks ashore? Underwater, it might blend in, but once on land, its true colours—streamers and a bejewelled saddle—shine through. The fish, eager to follow a leader, may not realise they’re chasing something quite different…
And the elephant? He’s just enjoying a swim, oblivious to the chaos he leaves behind. If only he glanced back, he might see things differently.
There’s much to discover in the painting. In the top right, a group of flying fish—familiar from The Dreamcatchers—and below them, the duo from Quicksilver!: an Oranda Carp and a Frog, chasing a Yahooh fish. A string of Redfin Perch follows the elephant’s tail, their distinctive stripes beautifully captured by Ann.
Among the other sea life, you’ll find Lemonpeel Angel fish, Bannerfish, and Snubnose Pompano darting around the elephant’s legs. There’s even a crab tucked into the coral, a Green Turtle reminiscent of *Strangers in a Strange Land*, and, of course, a nod to Pixar with a pair of Clown Fish.
Finally, there’s the Indian Elephant. We opted for a side view to show its ornate carvings, gold and ruby accents, and a jewelled saddle—a testament to Ann’s craftsmanship. And let’s not forget the bubbles, scattered throughout the scene. They nearly drove Ann mad by the end, but they add that final touch to this playful, vibrant piece.
Our Fine-Art Prints use archival papers in two weights. For everything up to – and including – our ‘Signature Editions’, we use 210gsm Fotospeed Smooth; a versatile paper that offers exceptional contrast and detail. For the larger ‘Premium Editions’, we use Fotospeed’s 315gsm NST. Thanks to subtle textures similar to traditional etching papers, coupled to bright-white bases, both of these 100%-cotton, fine-art papers deliver revelatory, impactful images that will stand the test of time. Furthermore, we only ever use OEM inks that are rich in pigments & offer a consistent level of reproduction.
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