In the south-east of Zimbabwe lies Senuko Wildlife Reserve (part of the Save Valley Conservancy). A semi-arid wilderness of monumental granite kopjies, golden savannah, ancient leadwood forests and monolithic baobab trees. This tantalizing territory is home to endangered rhinos, African wild dogs, elephants, buffalo, lion and a host of other species. As an annex to the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area – which comprises Kruger National Park, Limpopo Park and Gonarezhou National Park – this lowveld area is also home to artist Lin Barrie and her life partner, Clive Stockil.
Expressing her hopes, fears and love for this special ecosystem with her paintbrush, Lin believes that the essence of a landscape, person or animal can only truly be captured by direct observation. She immerses herself in her subjects, whether it is sketching rhinos drinking at a favourite waterhole, watching African wild dogs and their pups on Senuko Ranch, painting Brown pelicans and manatees in the Florida Keys, or sketching dhows on the Mozambique coast. The wheeling constellations and moon phases of night skies, the droughts, veld fires and regenerating rains of the changing seasons, the cultural dances of local Changana communities are all her inspiration.
Lin says, “Whether we are humans living in sprawling cities, or dung beetles rolling our food stores home; whether we are monumental baobab trees, thousands of years old, or blades of grass consumed by bush fires, we all play a role as strands in the greater web of life – and I feel this intimate connection with the natural world around us. From my field sketches I paint works onto canvas, with oils and acrylics, and my preferred tool is a treasured old palette knife, inherited from my father, with which I create expressive strokes.”
After completing a Fine Art Diploma in print-making at Durban Technikon, Natal, she gained experience as a textile designer, travelling extensively to Europe and the Far East. In 1991, Lin became a full time fine artist and her work is displayed in various public and private collections in South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Australia, Europe, Canada, and the United States of America.
Anti-poaching efforts, by dedicated scouts in the Save Valley Conservancy, are assisted through funds raised from the sale of some of Lin’s paintings. These paintings are available on the African Wildlife Conservation Fund website, with part of the proceeds going towards the Lowveld Wild Dog Programme. Lin donates work annually to Tusk Trust, raising money for endangered wild species in Africa. In this regard, she has recently also collaborated with Painted Wolf Wines, creating a wine label for them to help the Wild Dogs of Zimbabwe.
Art for BirdLife 