Mbogo Mkuu
$595.00
Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
You can almost feel the ground tremble beneath this image — the lead bull advances with a steady, unhurried authority while the herd fans behind him through a soft, dust-tinged light. The warm ochres and muted pinks give the scene a late-afternoon glow that softens the elephants’ skin textures without diminishing their presence. Notice how the artist lets the largest elephant fill the foreground: his flared ears, deep-set tusks, and the sculptural folds of his trunk make him both intimate and monumental at once. The dust around the herd creates a gentle haze that recedes into the background, lending depth and a quiet sense of motion as the group moves together. There’s tenderness in the composition too — younger animals tucked close and partially obscured — which balances the bull’s formidable scale with a feeling of family and protection. It’s an image that celebrates the dignity of these animals while quietly reminding you of their fragile place in a changing landscape.
The Artwork
About Big Daddy
Big Daddy<br> LIMITED EDITION CANVAS
Artist Guy Combes’ star in international wildlife painting and conservation continues to rise. He is actively involved in several groups including the Soysambu Conservancy (protection of Africa’s Great Rift Valley ecosystem), the Action for Cheetahs in Kenya and efforts to prevent the Tanzanian government from building a road across the northern migration routes of the Serengeti National Park. Elephants are another of Guy Combes’ beloved causes.
“Elephants,” says Guy Combes, “are to the Amboseli National Park what wildebeest are to the Mara/Serengeti, which is to say that the environment suits them perfectly. The juxtaposition of forest on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and the plains and swamps of the Amboseli lake basin are an Eden for the elephant who rotate on a daily basis, moving en masse to the most abundant food supply. On the way back to camp one day I found myself directly in the way of a gathering of several herds, numbering around 300 in total, that were making their way down from the mountain to the swamp to cool off in the midday heat. They were so absorbed in reaching the water that they were oblivious to my presence and simply walked around my parked vehicle where I had resigned to sit and wait. There was simply nowhere to go to get out of their way and even if I had tried I feared I might provoke one of the large males. I was inspired to paint one of these bulls walking towards me through the dust, his head nodding and swaying with great and elegant movement, followed by several females and young. This now ranks at the top of my many experiences that have left me in complete awe of the scale and majesty of nature and I will revisit this scene many times again in my mind and most probably on canvas.”
Climate change, poaching and relentless human development are threatening the future of these great Amboseli elephant herds and there are many conservation warriors fighting to save them, including The Amboseli Trust for Elephants.” www.elephanttrust.org
“Elephants,” says Guy Combes, “are to the Amboseli National Park what wildebeest are to the Mara/Serengeti, which is to say that the environment suits them perfectly. The juxtaposition of forest on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and the plains and swamps of the Amboseli lake basin are an Eden for the elephant who rotate on a daily basis, moving en masse to the most abundant food supply. On the way back to camp one day I found myself directly in the way of a gathering of several herds, numbering around 300 in total, that were making their way down from the mountain to the swamp to cool off in the midday heat. They were so absorbed in reaching the water that they were oblivious to my presence and simply walked around my parked vehicle where I had resigned to sit and wait. There was simply nowhere to go to get out of their way and even if I had tried I feared I might provoke one of the large males. I was inspired to paint one of these bulls walking towards me through the dust, his head nodding and swaying with great and elegant movement, followed by several females and young. This now ranks at the top of my many experiences that have left me in complete awe of the scale and majesty of nature and I will revisit this scene many times again in my mind and most probably on canvas.”
Climate change, poaching and relentless human development are threatening the future of these great Amboseli elephant herds and there are many conservation warriors fighting to save them, including The Amboseli Trust for Elephants.” www.elephanttrust.org
Collector Details
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About the Collection
Guy Combes is a renowned wildlife artist celebrated for his realistic paintings of African wildlife. Born in Kenya in 1971, he is the son of the esteemed artist Simon Combes. Guy's work intricately portrays the beauty and complexity of animals in their natural habitats, reflecting his deep commitment to conservation and environmental advocacy. He is actively involved with the Soysambu Conservancy in Kenya, dedicating efforts to habitat preservation. His art not only captivates viewers but also raises awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife and their ecosystems. Guy's paintings are featured in galleries and exhibitions worldwide, solidifying his place in contemporary wildlife art.
Artist Signature
Signed by the artist
This piece is artist signed and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Image Rights
Image copyright © 2026 by Guy Combes.
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GUY COMBES was born in Kenya in 1971, the son of the late wildlife artist, Simon Combes. At the age of eight, Guy moved to school in England for the remainder of his education. His interest in art developed throughout this schooling and at home where he began to learn technique from his father. After school he started at Cheltenham Art College where he experimented further with visual creativity in sculpture and three dimensional design, and then went on to study interior design at the Inchbald in London. Guy returned to Kenya in 1992 and spent the following eight years between there and England.
In 2001 Guy moved to Soysambu, a 48000 acre ranch in the Rift Valley where his father was living with his second wife, Kat. Here Guy took on a management job at a tourist camp and worked towards an exhibition of paintings depicting the Swahili Coast, inspired by a visit to Zanzibar. The exhibition was at Peponi Hotel in Lamu and sold out. Guy then began working towards another exhibition in Nairobi and this was also successful.
Since then Guy has been concentrating full time on painting, exhibiting and visiting various trade shows around the US. He intends to pursue painting as a career while helping with various conservation issues in Kenya, the most important of these being the development of Soysambu ranch into a protected conservancy, which will guarantee an essential wildlife corridor in the spectacular Rift Valley.
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