"The Look" (African Leopard)

'The Look' celebrates the African leopard, an iconic big cat which lives a largely solitary life in constant attrition with other large predators as well as humans. Historically hunted for trophies, leopards are now at risk from poachers, commercial hunters, habitat loss and persecution by farmers. 

My own connection with cats is a deeply spiritual one. Domestic cats have been a permanent feature in my life since childhood, offering their quiet support and acceptance in difficult times. Cats have a unique way of looking right through you and famously often fix their gaze on the middle distance, prompting us to consider those things that we ourselves either cannot see or simply do not notice.

The lives of solitary cats like the leopard resonate with me: as a child I was simultaneously bullied in school, lost my mother at the age of ten,  was emotionally neglected at home and found myself homeless. I felt alone, persecuted and adrift at a time when I was drowning in grief. It was in the aftermath of this upheaval that I started obsessively drawing animals and focusing on big cats gave me a well of strength to draw on in dark times.

This piece is one of a series of Big Cat paintings which I plan to complete in 2026. Originals will be available for purchase when the series is released later in the year. 

Please contact me directly to enquire if you wish to reserve this original painting or sign up to my newsletter to be the first to hear the release date for the Big Cat series. 

Painted in Watersoluble oils with acrylic underpainting on cotton canvas.

Wrap-around painting covers the whole canvas with hooks and framer's cord pre-installed , making the finished piece ready to hang without the need of a frame.

Gloss retouch varnish applied to the final piece.

12" x 10" x 3/4"  /  30.48cm x 25.4cm x 1.75cm

All my original paintings come with a certificate of authenticity and free pair of cotton gloves for ease of handling. Please refer to the Delivery and Returns page for shipping rates and policies.

Original reference photo citation:

“African leopard, Panthera pardus pardus, near Lake Panic, Kruger National Park, South Africa” by Derek Keats, CC BY 2.0