In 2018, during an incredible self-drive trip through the landscapes of Namibia and Botswana, we had a magical experience that inspired this painting, "On Watch." We set out early one morning to hopefully view some meerkats. Our guide helped us find a location, and I sat quietly by the entrance to a meerkat home and waited. Gradually, one-by-one, these curious animals began to emerge from their home. It was as if they were communicating silently to the next in line that I wasn't a threat.

"On Watch" captures the delight I felt watching their behaviour. With their upright stances, often perched on their hind legs, they would scan the horizon, assessing their surroundings and chattering to each other. An interesting fact about meerkats is that teenage meerkats often stay behind to babysit the younger pups. For me, this painting holds a particularly special meaning, as it also subtly represents myself and my two closest painting buddies, mirroring the quiet companionship and shared observation that defines our own creative journeys plein air painting together.