Wild Art - A Brush with Nature

Joe Marais Art

Experience My Africa -  Wild, Raw, Unforgettable image
  JOE MARAIS – My Journey

African Wildlife Art — The Heartbeat of Africa on Canvas
By South African Wildlife Artist, Joe Marais
Joe Marais is a South African wildlife artist whose work is defined by authenticity, field experience, and a deep, lifelong connection to the African wilderness. For more than 30 years, he has dedicated his career to capturing the wild, unfiltered essence of Africa — not as an observer from afar, but as someone who has lived its rhythm, its silence, and its unforgettable moments.
Joe’s artistic journey began not in a classroom or studio, but in the bush itself. With no formal art training, he developed his own distinctive style through intuition, passion, and thousands of hours spent in the presence of Africa’s wildlife. His work includes a wide range of African wildlife paintings, inspired by the landscapes and animals of Africa. His preferred medium, acrylics, allows him to work with precision and realism, bringing to life the dramatic light, textures, and emotion that define his paintings. Every artwork he creates is rooted in personal field observation and reference photography — moments witnessed firsthand, often under challenging or thrilling conditions.
His research trips across South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe form the backbone of his creative process. Joe and his wife, Ilse, frequently camp in remote regions of Botswana, sleeping in a small ground tent while elephants, lions, and leopard move quietly around them at night. Days are spent at waterholes, observing animal interactions, sketching, and photographing the “magic moments” he later brings to canvas. These experiences give his work an unmatched level of accuracy, intimacy, and emotional depth.
Joe’s art has been exhibited internationally for decades. His career includes notable appearances at Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibition in New York, galleries across Canada, major South African art venues, Tuscany in Italy, Mauritius, Paris, London, and the Abu Dhabi Hunting Expo. His life-size 6m × 3.2m bull elephant — a monumental project requiring more than 500 hours — remains one of his most ambitious achievements and now belongs to a private collector. Over the years, his paintings have also supported conservation initiatives through numerous donations to African wildlife projects.
Collectors value Joe’s work for its honesty. Whether depicting an elephant bull, a zebra herd, or a scene at a dusty Botswana waterhole, his paintings are known for capturing the true spirit of Africa — its power, its fragility, its diversity, and its timeless beauty. Many buyers describe his art as a way to reconnect with the places they have visited and the memories they treasure.
Today, from his studio in Meerensee, Richards Bay, KZN, South Africa, Joe continues to paint the wildlife he knows intimately and respects deeply. His mission remains unchanged: to share with the world the extraordinary beauty of Africa, and to preserve its legacy through art that speaks from the heart.

Email: art@joemarais.co.za
Email: art@joemarais.co.za Cell: +27 76 4944 356
Website:                 https://www.artbyjoemarais.co.za/                  
Art Exhibitions - Since 1995 
1995 - Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhition
1996 - Central Park, New York;
1997 - Kingston, Canada;
1998 - Kirstenbosh, Cape Town;
1999 - Trade Centre, Cape Town;
2000 - Zoo Lake, Johannesburg;
2001 - Wembley, London;
2004 - Reno, Navada, USA;
2010 - Mauritius;
2016 - Tuscany, Italy;
2016/17 - Blouberg, Cape Town;
2024 - Paris, France
2025 - Abu Dhabi, UAE



What Makes a South African Wildlife Artist Unique? Africa is not merely a subject for a South African wildlife artist; it is a unique personal experience. The rhythms of the bush, the quality of light, the dust carried on a dry-season wind, and the quiet intensity of wildlife encounters shape the way African wildlife art is conceived and created. This depth of connection is what distinguishes a South African wildlife artist from those working purely from photographic reference or distant observation.

 Africa as Classroom and Mentor For artists who have grown up or worked extensively in Southern Africa, the landscape becomes a teacher. Time spent in reserves, rural areas, and remote wilderness regions develops an understanding of animal behaviour, movement, and presence that cannot be learned second-hand. A zebra standing alert in fine dust, an elephant’s slow, deliberate stride, or the stillness of predators at rest all carry subtleties that are absorbed through observation rather than instruction. This immersion allows the artist to depict wildlife not as static subjects, but as living beings within a dynamic environment. 

Understanding Light, Atmosphere, and Space African light behaves differently. It is sharper, more directional, and often unforgiving. A South African wildlife artist learns how early morning haze softens form, how midday sun compresses colour, and how late afternoon light enriches tone and contrast. These elements are critical in African wildlife paintings, where atmosphere plays as important a role as anatomy. Dust, heat shimmer, dry grasses, and vast open skies contribute to a sense of space that defines the African aesthetic. Capturing this environment authentically requires familiarity with the land itself.

 Movement Over Detail One of the defining characteristics of African wildlife art is its emphasis on movement and energy rather than photographic precision. Wildlife rarely poses. Animals shift weight, react to sound, and move through their surroundings with purpose. South African wildlife artists often prioritise gesture, posture, and flow — allowing the painting to convey life rather than perfection. This approach results in work that feels immediate and emotionally engaging, inviting the viewer into the moment rather than presenting a static image. 

Cultural and Environmental Context Wildlife in Africa exists within a broader cultural and conservation narrative. For many artists, painting African wildlife is inseparable from an awareness of conservation challenges, land stewardship, and the relationship between people and nature. This context informs the work subtly — not through overt messaging, but through respect, restraint, and authenticity. The artwork becomes a visual record of place and time, reflecting both beauty and vulnerability. 

From Field to Canvas A South African wildlife artist’s process typically begins long before brush meets canvas. Field observation, sketching, photographic reference, and mental note-taking all contribute to the final composition. Once in the studio, planning gives way to instinct, allowing unplanned elements to emerge — much like nature itself. This balance between preparation and spontaneity is central to wildlife art, resulting in paintings that feel both considered and alive.

 Why Authentic African Wildlife Art Matters In an increasingly digital and fast-paced world, original African wildlife paintings offer something rare: a connection to the natural world that is honest and enduring. Collectors are drawn not only to the subject, but to the story, experience, and integrity behind the work. A South African wildlife artist brings more than technical skill to the canvas — they bring memory, environment, and understanding. This is what gives African wildlife art its lasting power.

                       THE ART OF PRINTING
"Bring the beauty of the African wilderness into your home with our collection of limited edition very large canvas prints. Measurements: 825 x 1025mm. Each print is a high-quality reproduction of an original painting by Joe Marais, a wildlife artist from Zululand, South Africa. Our prints are printed on premium canvas and professionally block-mounted, making them ready to hang as soon as they arrive at your doorstep.
We pride ourselves on providing affordable, high-quality prints that are perfect for any budget.
Order now and add a touch of the wild to your home and office decor!"



Joe Marais Art Studio image
My Studio where I do most of my Paintings! I also have a Coffee Shop, Cafe d'Art, adjacent to my Studio! People come and go throughout the day, having coffee with friends, or some come and watch me painting!
  • 100 Krewelkring, Meerensee, Richards Bay, South Africa