Noah

Creating art from lived experience carries memory, emotion, and presence that can’t be manufactured from reference images alone. There is a connection and understanding that makes the painting process so magical. Noah, a Masai giraffe, is one such experience that turned into a painting that was created in that magical flow state. It grew out of a connection I felt with this incredible animal and wanted to capture with my paints.

When an artist truly encounters their subject, feels their soul, the work becomes less about depiction and more about relationship.

Time spent observing, returning, and being recognized creates an exchange. The subject is no longer anonymous; it has a history, a personality, a shared moment in time. There is something that exists, beyond the realm of understanding, that transmits that feeling through the artist and into the painting. That lived connection infuses the artwork with authenticity that viewers can feel, even if they don’t know the story behind it.

Painting Noah, a beloved giraffe, grew out of such an experience.

Meeting Noah

Meeting Noah through a feed-the-giraffe program and forming a rapport with his keeper opened the door to repeated, intimate encounters. Eye level moments, quiet recognition, the weight of presence that only comes from standing close to such a gentle giant.

Over time, Noah began to recognize our familiar faces. When visiting the zoo with my children, he would approach the fence to greet us, turning a casual zoo visit into something personal and unforgettable. Those moments shaped the painting as much as the brushstrokes did.

Sadly, Noah passed away in 2016 at the age of 17. He not only touched my heart, but all those who had the pleasure of meeting him.

The Story Beneath the Surface

Art born from lived experience carries story beneath its surface.

It holds not just what something looks like, but how it felt to be there. To witness, to connect, to be remembered. This kind of work invites viewers into that experience, offering more than an image: it offers a moment of shared humanity between artist, subject, and audience.