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 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



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My Biggest Art Sale Ever
“Each painting is one of a kind — once sold, it’s gone forever.”
WhatsApp me on 0764944356
All these Paintings can be viewed in my Gallery
at 100 Krewelkring, Meerensee, Richards Bay
My Latest Painting
The Nguni Majesty — Celebrating the Spirit of South Africa’s Iconic Cattle By Joe Marais, South African Wildlife Artist There are few sights in rural South Africa as striking as a proud Nguni bull standing tall against the African sky. With its bold patterns, strong presence, and deep cultural significance, the Nguni has long held a special place in the heart of our country. My latest painting, “Nguni Majesty,” pays tribute to this remarkable breed — a living symbol of beauty, resilience, and heritage. A Moment That Inspired the Canvas The inspiration for Nguni Majesty came from a quiet moment deep in Zululand, near Hlabisa. The early morning light danced across the cattle, highlighting the powerful shapes and distinctive patterns on their coats. One particular bull stood apart — a perfect combination of strength and elegance. His posture, his confidence, and the depth in his eyes captured me instantly. I knew right there that he would become the heart of my next painting. Why the Nguni Is the King of South African Cattle Nguni cattle are more than just livestock — they are woven into the cultural and historical fabric of Southern Africa. Known for their striking patterns of black, white, red, and brown, each animal carries its own unique markings, almost like a fingerprint. Their beauty is matched by their durability. For centuries, the Nguni has thrived in harsh conditions, surviving drought, predators, and difficult landscapes. ​
                       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!"



ABOUT 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