Title: Steve Burgess (1960- ), African Queen
Medium: oil on board
Dimensions: 24 x 36
Frame dimensions: 32 5/8 x 44.75 x 1.75

During my many visits to Africa I have been fortunate to see leopards in their natural habitat on numerous occasions. The leopard is an unmatched predator and the perfect example of feline power and grace, to see a leopard moving through the African bush, or lying motionless in the high branches of a tree, is a riveting experience, and one I have tried to convey in this painting. No other member of the cat family can look as relaxed in a tree as a leopard, casually draped over a branch with all it's languid grace a leopard simultaneously keeps cool, relaxes and watches for potential prey. For an artist the leopard is at the same time a joy and a challenge to paint, each rosette on the cats fur must be painted correctly as they describe the shape of the animal, a sleek dappled predator, the 'ultimate cat'.

signed lower left: Steve Burgess ©