Story of a wildlife artist - Chris McClelland

By Kimberly Grabham

It is thought often, when admiring the art of someone of the calibre of our local artist, Chris McClelland, “How does he do it? How does one reach that level of skill and talent?”

If an answer could be found to this magic formula, at best could be described a lifelong passion for animals, a wealth of life experience, immense precision and love of the subject, and practise.

He fell in love with Africa as a child; his mother also loved Africa and they shared a library of books on the subject. His father served in World War Two, serving in the British Air Force, flying Hudson fighter bombers, and then later commanded the British Staging Post in Juba, Southern Sudan.

When the war was over, the British were all sent home, but because his father was Australian, he wasn’t afforded the same treatment. During this time, he often crossed the border into the Belgian Congo, and enjoyed a lot of big game hunting.

During this time, a leopard killed a child at the post he was commanding. He killed it, and brought the skin home, where it showcased the dining room floor.

Chris didn’t meet his father until he was four. Young Chris delved into his mother’s sewing basket, found some scissors and proceeded to innocently remove the whiskers of the leopard – to the devastation of his father. He believes this was the catalyst for his love of Africa.

Chris enjoyed a life on the land, fostering a love of animals; sheep cattle and horses. Playing polocrosse when he was a young man, travelling to NZ at one point to play for NSW. He was then the manager of various stations in Northern New South Wales, before coming to Hay in order to manage Tupra Station, for 21 years. Chris has always found the animals of Africa fascinating.

“There is so much information about them that can be incorporated into the art. When a lion flicks its tail, it is getting ready to charge.

“When an elephant’s head is up, with its ears out and trunk down, it is making a mock charge, just trying to intimidate something out of its territory. “Being able to identify behavioural signs in African animals is paramount; it is essential not to enter an animal’s “fight of flight zone.”

“This is vastly different to many Australian animals; not as much is known about them.” Chris says that it is only in the last sixty to seventy years that we are learning about Australian animals, such as kangaroos.

“When I was young, a jackaroo on the land, there wasn’t much known about kangaroos – the “old timers” were adamant that the joey was born on the teat of the mother.

“After being given a kangaroo, a Swede filmed the birth and it showed the joey crawling into the pouch.

“I relayed this to the old timers and they simply didn’t believe it, and wrote it off.”

The year 1994 saw Chris writing articles for the magazine African Safari. He was approached to review lodges in Africa for the magazine, and wife Margie eagerly accepted the opportunity before Chris could comment. He would draw pictures to accompany the articles. He credits his work being seen in Africa as get\ting the ball rolling, and his art being noticed.

Stuart Cranswick, owner of lodges in Africa, approached him to come and draw pictures of the lodges in Africa, and once again Margie was bursting with enthusiasm for the opportunity. They would be flown around in order for Chris to complete his work. Talented duo, Chris and photographer, Margie, travelled together; Margie taking photos forfrican Safari Magazine for various articles, and Chris taking videos.

In 1997, his mother accompanied them, and at age 87, after a lifetime of loving Africa, she finally was able to go. She was treated like a queen there by the locals, who were amazed to see a lady of her age. His mother was a hugger, and had an amazing experience.

Chris and Margie made a total of 14 trips to Africa over a period of several decades, every holiday time they would be on the plane to Africa. Chris often sat with the guides, learning the intricacies of animal behaviour.

“When I left school, modern art was being forced upon us; very eclectic, abstract art.

“Hitler ridiculed modern art, and took much of it out of the galleries in Europe, calling them degenerates.”

Post war life saw modern art masters being pushed to the top. He says modern art was just not his style, and admits that he does not have much time for the art world as such, preferring not to adhere to the advice of “loosen up” in his style, preferring to do his own thing; what he loves.

Wildlife artists come from all walks of life, they enjoy striving for perfection, and there is not much room for impressionism. His art advice is to gain a solid idea of what you are trying to achieve through your art.

“You need to use light and strong shadows; a lot of contrast goes into achieving the 3D appearance.”

He likes his drawings to tell a story, and not “just be pretty.” It truly shows. One could only hope to have even a taste of the kind of amazing experience and adventures that the McClellands have had. It is a true lesson to never stop trying, never stop chasing opportunities; you truly never know what can result.

Originally published in The Riverine Grazier on May 18, 2022.

Below: Chris in his gallery and with wife Margie.