SIMON STEVENSON

Simon was born near Moshi, Tanzania, East Africa, where he spent his early childhood living amongst animals on the slopes of the world’s highest free-standing volcano, Mt Kilimanjaro and at  19,340 feet it is also Africa’s highest mountain. At the age of nine, his family moved to the town of Arusha, Tanzania’s new administrative capital and centre of tourism. Here he was to have access to some of Africa’s finest game reserves. Now many years on, his images adorn the walls of lodges in those same reserves. For those fortunate to have visited this Eden of Africa, the experience enters deep into their soul.

Simon was educated in Tanzania, then Kenya and finally in England where he was to eventually settle in 1979, where he now lives in the county of Shropshire with his wife Kate. It was here that he began to rekindle his deep rooted memories and love of Africa by painting and sketching these beautiful wildlife images. Being wholly self taught, he originally used the the unusual medium of Tea and dry Ochre pigment. By using this medium Simon managed to capture the colour, mood and shimmering beauty associated with this ancient but delicate land. It would appear that his beloved Africa has firmly etched itself into his soul.

2012 saw a new development in Simon’s artistic style with the introduction of the medium of Chalk and Charcoal on black pastel paper in the form of animal specimen sketches. However, in 2018 he further developed his style, despite being colour blind (Deuteranopia) he began to sketch his images using the medium of Pastels. Many of these sketches are currently displayed as reproduction canvas images in a number of wildlife lodges throughout Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda and South Africa.

Originals in all three of his styles have become much sought after and now adorn the walls of many private collectors worldwide. Both originals and limited edition prints were available for purchase through his extensive website www.abrushwithafrica.com He regularly travels throughout Africa where he studies and sketches the stunning wildlife for both individuals and game lodges. He has completed many private commissions for existing and new clients and continues to do so.

 

 

Simon with his beloved Ayah (nanny) Lizbet

 

 

 Simon's wonderful home surrounded by the bush on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro

 

 

 

A view of Mt Kilimanjaro from the house overlooked by the bush at the end of the garden.

 

 

 

1970 Selous, Tanzania, Simon aged 13 in a tree looking out for elephants from a Kopje.  

     

 

2009 Botswana, Simon looking out for wildlife  

 

 

2015 Ruaha, Tanzania Simon on a Kopje looking out for Cape buffalo

 

        

2017 Zimbabwe - Simon in the wild with an old bull elephant studying one and other.

 

  

2019 - Simon handing over a canvas to the manager of "The Governors Camp" in Kenya

 

  

2023 - Simon handing over a canvas of the late super tusker 'Tim" to the General manager

Graeme Smith of "Elewana Tortilis Camp" Amboseli, Kenya

 

 

  

Simon working on his award winning sketch 'All Ears' at his Studio

 

  

Simon working on a leopard titled 'Stalking' whilst at his studio

 

 

  

 Simon working on a leopard resting, titled "The Marula Retreat'

  

Simon sketching 'Craig's Companion' an image of the world's largest living super tusker

 

 

 

2023 - Simon walking alongside the gentle super tusker Craig

 

 

 

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the places

and moments that take our breath away.”