Good afternoon folks I hope that my Blog update finds you all happy, healthy and well into the swing of 2017. Who’d believe that we’re already over half way through February and that my first workshop for the year has already been and gone (successfully I might add) I guess it’s true that time flies when your having fun and in my case extremely busy too. There’s lots to update you all on so I’d better be getting on with it eh ….
For those of you that have been following my artistic journey, having been subscribed to my Blog for a while, you may remember me chatting back in October about having received a phone call from a dear friend inviting me to get on board with his new business taking my teaching further afield in the UK and abroad via Wildlife Art Safaris. Well for those of you who weren’t around back then here’s a quick recap from that Blog post:
‘Two weeks ago I received a phone call completely out of the blue from a dear friend whom I’ve known for around 9 years but hadn’t spoken to in a while. To cut a long story, and an even longer conversation short the outcome of our conversation was a positive one – my friend (I’ll be able to share more details later) is in the process of setting up a new business and would like me onboard too. He currently runs photographic tours to Botswana and Estonia but intends to branch out further to include art-based tours hence his phone call to me! Needless to say I’ve agreed lol (once I’d picked myself up off the floor that is lol). So now, for me at least, it’s a waiting game while the new business’ website is built and the cogs begin to turn. He did ask when would I prefer these art-based tours to commence i.e towards the end of 2017 (after the Birdfair in August) or the beginning of 2018 – my reply was simple “NOW PLEASE” Lol. Okay so I need to be patient, I’ve been asked, I’ve said yes, I’ve agreed for the tours to launch when he sees fit … so that’s pretty much where we are up to now. One thing I can also mention before I forget is the new company’s name is ‘365 Wildlife Experiences’ – something for you all to look out for in the not too distant future 🙂’
Well now I can bring you all up to date –
My friend Phil Gould now has the business side of things up and running, with the website being built as we speak. Phil has been a professional photographer, involved in the art and photography world, for over 35 years and has a vast amount of knowledge twinned with an equal amount of enthusiasm for capturing the natural world through a lens. For many years he has shared his experience with like-minded people running safaris to many desirable locations including South Africa and Estonia. Having decided that he would like to set up a new business offering something for everyone regarding wildlife experiences he began the mammoth task of setting up ‘365 Wildlife Experiences’ offering brand new photography safaris and events, whilst also setting up and to run parallel ‘ART Wildlife Experiences’ offering Art-based tours and events abroad and in the UK. So now we’re up to date on the business side of things I can begin to tell you about these events and the ones I’ll be involved with:
Badger Art Workshop & Watching Experience Day
Closer to home, Hoo Farm in Telford to be exact, will be the home of my new Badger art & watching experience days. Working from a hide overlooking an active sett this event is sure set to be a winner for beginners and the more experienced alike.
£125 per person will bring you up close and personal with these amazing mammals in their natural habitat, and from the purpose built hide you’ll receive a day of art tuition plus the opportunity to get some wonderful photographs if you don’t forget to bring your camera with you. This price also include entrance to the adjacent zoo so you really will be spoilt for choice.
Places have been limited to 10 participants and the launch of these Art Experience Days is booked for Saturday 17th June 2017. More information regarding the day and how to book your place will be coming soon. If you’re interested and would like more information or to reserve a place then please drop me an email at kerrynewell1@gmail.com
Shropshire Falconry Art Workshops
Shropshire Falconry is home to over 50 birds of prey including many Owl species, Peregrin Falcon, Kestrel & Harris Hawk. With an indoor flying arena and training rooms there will be plenty of opportunity to get close to these magnificent birds. Another event when it wouldn’t be a great idea to forget your camera.
The centre isn’t open to the general public so our event will have exclusive access to two separate species for the art aspect of the day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Again places will be limited to just 10 participants, £125 per person. The launch of these events is booked for Sunday 17th September.
More information regarding the day and how to book your place will be coming soon. If you’re interested and would like more information or to reserve a place then please drop me an email at kerrynewell1@gmail.com
Art-based Wildlife Tour in South Africa
A breathtaking 10 day safari for just six participants set in the stunning scenery that is Kruger National Park. With an exclusive reserve as our home for the duration of the trip and with just six people in the safari vehicle we can be sure of the best sightings without the crowds of other tours etc.
We now have the full itinerary and price for our first safari set to run on 17th – 27th February 2018
More information regarding the day and how to book your place will be coming soon. If you’re interested and would like more information or to reserve a place then please drop me an email at kerrynewell1@gmail.com
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SOUTH AFRICAN ART-BASED WILDLIFE TOUR
17th – 27th February 2018
All lodges and reserves quoted can be found on the On Track Safaris website www.ontracksafaris.com
Itinerary:
Days 1-3
For clients flying in – on arrival at Tambo International Airport Johannesburg guests are met and transferred by kombi (mini bus) to Black Leopard Camp on the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve.
Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve encompasses 6,000 Hectares, set within the stunning Steenkampsberg Mountains. This private nature reserve is located 30km from the town of Lydenburg and along the route between Johannesburg airport and the Greater Kruger Park region (approximately 200km to the north east). This is a pristine area of mountainous wilderness that is home to several animal species that are not often seen in the Kruger Park region, such as sable, eland, red hartebeest, blesbuck, mountain reedbuck, klipspringers, Cape fox,) and even oryx. The reserve has successfully reintroduced buffalo into the area after an absence of over 100 years.
Our INGWE Leopard Research program has operated extensively on this reserve for many years, during which time we have recorded a significant amount of data on the resident leopards and their movements, including the Black and Golden leopard. Although leopard sightings in this mountainous wilderness are less frequent due to the terrain, our network of camera traps continues to record leopard movement on the reserve both day and night. The reserve is also home to some of the most elusive birds in South Africa, such as the stunning narina trogon, paradise flycatchers, sunbirds, bee-eaters, turacos, verreaux eagles and denhams bustards.
The historic rock engravings (petroglyphs) that are found on Thaba Tholo date back to the early Stone Age. There are numerous theories as to the meanings behind these rock engravings; some believe they are maps of settlements, others believe they are maps of constellations, and some believe they are drawings of visions and dreams. More recent historical artefacts include the ruins of Voortrekker (ancestors of the Afrikaners of modern day South Africa) settlements. The ruins of these houses can still be found high in the mountains. They were constructed with large, flat rocks and termite mound mixture; the Voortrekkers would mix pieces of termite mounds with water, to create a kind of cement.
This reserve is family owned, along with Black Leopard Camp, which nestles sympathetically within the reserve. Black Leopard Camp is a four star tented camp, that was built, and is managed by the same family.
Accommodation is mid range. Four star accommodation and five star service.
www.blackleopardcamp.com
Days 4-7
After breakfast on day four, we will transfer to Rukiya Safari Camp in the Lowveld (Kruger Park area). Rukiya www.rukiyacamp.com is an intimate, luxury tented camp situated on the confluence of the Blyde and Olifants Rivers in the heart of Wild Rivers Private Nature Reserve.
The development of the camp was done with a least-impact footprint with a variety of green or eco-friendly principles employed during the construction process. A large part of the area comprises of deck and canvass that has a minimal effect in contrast to conventional brick and mortar. The operation of the camp follows the ecological-sensitive philosophy by utilizing environmentally friendly products that does not contain harmful chemicals. Up-cycled drift- and pallet wood were used to furnish and decorate the camp and were sourced from local suppliers in support of the community.
Following a holistic approach to contribute to an ultimate nature experience, great care is taken to provide guests with all the special touches, pampering and comforts during their stay. Safaris and bush walks are part of the offering of all-inclusive packages. The iconic tented accommodation fortifies the African experience that allows guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of the magical Lowveld. Six en-suite luxury tents have been carefully placed underneath the shade of gaint Jackalberry trees with wonderful views to the river.
Rukiya It is our safari home and base for much of our work in leopard conservation. It is offers a unique and intimate wildlife experience and the opportunity to take Big Five game drives in the adjacent Balule game reserve (Kruger Park). When entering Wild Rivers Nature Reserve, expect to be immersed in the vista of endless woodland set against the back drop of the majestic Drakensberg mountains that change colour as the day walks on. This 2,600 hectare reserve is bordered by both the Blyde and Olifants Rivers and boasts a diverse landscape with rocky outcrops and savanna where plains game roam freely. Leopard wander and riverbanks are frequented by hippo and crocodiles.
Days 8-10
After breakfast on day seven we will transfer to the Tangala Safari Camp within the Thornybush Game Reserve. www.tangalasafaricamp.co.za
Tangala boasts sweeping views overlooking an expansive and active waterhole, with the majestic Drakensberg Mountain Range forming an impressive backdrop. With our eco-friendly camp, great hosting, comfortable accommodation and thrilling game drives, guests are assured an unforgettable experience
Thornybush Game Reserve is approximately 14,000ha of game habitat: open savannah woodland with pat Hectares of tangled thicket and thorny scrub. It is a well established reserve and perfect habitat for Africa’s famous Big Five as well as a host of other animals (eg. cheetah, African wild dog, hippo, crocodile, giraffe, zebra, various antelope species, porcupine, aardvark). Thornybush is home to 147 mammal species, 114 types of reptile, more than 500 bird species, dozens of fish and amphibian species and 336 types of trees, as well as countless grasses, insects, etc.
Game viewing in the reserve ranks as some of the best in Southern Africa with a near perfect year round climate.
Guests can enjoy off road close-up views of special sightings and once darkness falls, you’ll be treated to thrilling spot-lit night drives in search of rare nocturnal creatures and big cats on the move. Guided nature walks complete the spectrum of safari activities. Thornybush is a favoured safari location for movie stars and the rich and famous.
Day 11
After morning game drive and breakfast, transfer to OR Tambo International Airport for overnight flight home.
£3,300 per person
Price includes:
Road transfers
Accommodation
Meals
Tea and Coffee
Guided game Drives and or bush walks
Excludes:
International flights
Alcohol
Reserve conservation entry fees (approximately £17)
Tips and souvenirs
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Okay well I’m sure that after reading all of that you’ll all be putting the kettle on lol, I know I’m going to 😉
So to finish for today here are a couple of snippets from next week’s Blog and news updates:
- The commission for Chris Packham is now finished. Waiting for Chris to give the all clear so that I can finally show you guys what I’ve been working on for him.
- The painting of three wolves is now back on my easel and will now be worked to completion, pictorial updates coming soon.
- Soon to announce the date of the first art based workshop at Knowsley Safari Park.
- Running a workshop in Northants next Saturday.
- March sees the birth of another new venture I’ve been asked to create this time at Chester Zoo – Under the umbrella title of Chester’s ‘Bloom Campaign – engaging people with wildlife on a local level‘ I’ll be running ‘Watercolour Wildlife’ workshops ….
- And April sees me take my Wildlife Workshops to Bedfordshire ….
- June sees the launch of the Badger art & watching days
NEWS JUST IN!!!!!
- DATES FOR A WILDLIFE ART-BASED TOUR IN ESTONIA have just come through so will more than likely be announced in next week’s Blog!
Okay I’ll leave it at that for now as I need to go grab a coffee and get back to my easel.
Thank you once again for taking the time to read my latest Blog post, looking forward to chatting with you again soon. If you would like me to add anything in particular to my weekly Blogs then please pop your ideas in an email and forward them to me at kerrynewell1@gmail.com and I’ll see what I can do.
If as a reader/subscriber you would like to contact me to enquire about buying my art, displaying my art, interviewing me, promoting my work on your Blog, including my work in magazines or to discuss tuition, demonstrations, workshops & my pet portrait service etc then please feel free to contact me via the following:
Email: kerrynewell1@gmail.com
Mobile: 07752325031 (please leave a brief msg along with your number and I’ll get back to you asap)
Okay well it’s over and out from me for now
Be blessed and thank you once again for following my endeavours.
Looking forward to chatting with you again next week, love & hugs Kerry x
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