About the Maasai Giraffe Drawing

I first encountered Maasai giraffes (Giraffa tippelskirchi) in southern Kenya, where their height, patterned coats, and unhurried movement seemed inseparable from the open landscape. That experience helped make Africa feel real to me—not only through its wildlife, but through the land and people connected to it.

In Long View, I wanted to reflect the giraffe’s elegance and quiet power while preserving the calm, watchful quality of the animal itself. The softly fading body and background keep attention on the face, eyes, and distinctive markings, allowing the portrait to emerge gradually from the graphite.

Artwork by Michael E. Dorcas, Tantilla Art.

Exhibition: Selected for the 2026 Exhibizone Kingdom Animalia exhibition.