This painting was donated to the USA based Carcinoid Cancer Foundation, The Zebra Ball - Stars for the Stripes for fund raising.
This painting comprises a rock face background and tones typical of that found in the magnificent, scenic Drakensberg mountains of Kwazulu Natal province of South Africa.
The area around the deep valleys and gorges is rich in Khoi San (Bushmen) rock paintings still inhabited by wild Leopard. The Bushmen left a rich heritage of pictorial mythology, stories and events relating to their surroundings and daily lives prior to being ousted and wiped out by both greedy indigenous tribes and conquering colonial settlers.
This painting depicts typical bushmen art renderings, montaged with the mighty wild endangered leopard of the African continent.
This work is a reminder that unless we, humans, protect the leopards of Southern Africa, especially along the tip of South Africa, they will soon be just another distant memory hewed into sandstone.

Ref. 115
Title: Leopard Rock Art.
Description: Leopard portrait superimposed over a rock face with bushman (Khoi-San) paintings depicting the bygone era of South Africa's true indigenous heritage.
Size: 1500 x 900mm Landscape format.
Medium: Acrylic and oils on canvas.
Date: June 2007.
Price: SOLD

The painting as it hangs in the Don Bell studio.

The original oil painting was donated to the Lions Club Potchefstroom, South Africa for fund raising for dogs for the blind: ARTS PROJECT FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED IN SOUTH AFRICA.

An image of this painting was also donated to the USA based Carlina Calendars
for fund raising.

This painting comprises a three qaurter view of a male Kudu Antelope in winter Mopani woodlands of Botswana.

Ref. 34
Title: Mopani Kudu
Description: Male Kudu antelope of the Botswana Mopani woodland areas. This animal is browsing during the winter months of June and July when the Mopani trees'leaves have turned bright orange, yellow and ochre tones.
Size: 610 x 760mm Portrait format.
Medium: Oil on canvas board.
Date: October 2004.

This painting has been donated by the Artist Don Bell to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) to raise funds for cancer research and awareness.
Go to their web site:

A Zebra Herd ever mindfull of danger as they have their last drink of the day.

Ref. 119
Title: Zebra Sundowners.
Description: Autumn dusk at the river's edge. A Zebra herd enjoy their last drink of the day before sunset. The Mopani woodland forest and wetland vegetation surround the herd as they carefully approach the water's edge, ever mindful of, and on the lookout for preditators as this is the most dangerous time of the African wilderness.
Size: 1500 x 900mmm landscape format.
Medium: Oil on canvas.
Date: 1 January 2008.
Price: To be auctioned in February 2008.

The painting and special timber cross frame were donated to the St. John's Church in Walmer Port Elizabeth for missions fund raising.

Autumn Attitude Painting.
Donated to the South Africa Cancer Association for a gala dinner evening and auction to raise funds for cancer.
Mike Holmes, the renound wildlife photographer took the photograph below of a young bull Elephant from the Kruger National Park being relocted into the Addo Eklephant National Park to improve the gene level of its Elephant population.
Don Bell used the photo for his painting by permission from Mike Holmes.

Custom Designed Painting & frame.
This large painting and spectacular genuine Yellowwood and metal frame were designed and produced by Don Bell and donated to the Cape Leopard Trust Research Program in the Cedarberg Mountains of the Western Cape province of South Africa.
Material for the painting was photographed by Don Bell and his friend Rob le Roux, owner of the baviaanskloof Lodge located in the spectacular wilderness area of the Kougaberg & Baviaanskloof Mountain gorges of the Eastern Cape Province, two hours from Don's home.

Reference Photography.

Concept Sketches.
These sketches were the priliminary concepts compiled by the artist, Don Bell from the reference photos.

Nelson Mandela portrait with ancient rock art background depicting his heritage.

30-Freedom Smile.
Portrait of Madiba with his famous blue paisley shirt. Background elements depict the early Khoi San heritage of the indigenous people of the Eastern Cape, Nelson’s birthplace. In addition there are the mountain ranges, indigenous Aloe plant, rock paintings, young warrior initiative and the cultural rural villages. The traditional elders and the East Cape coastline are also depicted – all ghosted as Mandela’s life time into the mud plaster technique used to build their huts.

The custom frame made from hardwood, metal and copper reflecting the indigenous Xhosa implements.

Custom Designed Frame.
This special custom designed frame for the Nelson Mandela painting was designed by Don Bell and his partner, Malcolm Topper.
Various elements of the frame were created and manufactured by the following donors:
Well known South African Sculptor Werner Lemmer created the magnificent bracket work and copper elements. Keith Crocker manufactured the metal frame.

Duma the Cheetah with reclining companion in the early morning sun rise. Mopani woodland location in autumn shades of reds, browns, ochres and yellows

Ian Player and his famous golfing brother, Gary Player, keynote speakers at the Wilderness Foundation Gala Function

Don Bell donated this painting of Duma (standing)world famous Cheetah which starred in "Duma" recently, to the Wilderness Leadership School in South Africa for fund raising.
The painting was auctioned to the highest bidder at a glittering gala event banquet in Johannesburg this month (May 2007.
Proceeds of the evening will go to the Wilderness Leadership School Wilderness Foundation of South Africa - in order to benefit the cause of wilderness preservation in Africa.
Dr Ian Player, renounded conservationist and his brother, Gary Player the world famous golfer were guest speakers.
Duma's current home is the Kragga Kamma Game Reserve in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Duma Photography by Kim Bell.
These are two of the many photographs which my daughter and professional photographer, Kim Bell took for reference material for the Duma Cheetah painting.

Kim Bell of Kimage Photography

Kim Bell on location with Duma the Cheetah