Contact: Christine Otradovec
(208) 336-5899
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The Greenwich Workshop
151 Main St. P.O. Box 231
Seymour, CT06483
World Renowned Wildlife Artist and AdventurerSimon Combes 2005 Retrospective
The Art and Adventures
of Simon Combes :We Knew Him Well
at Gallery 601
One Day Only
February 3rd6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Boise, Idaho
Boise, Idaho— January 19, 2005 Gallery 601 will exhibit a retrospective of the work of recently deceased, renowned wildlife artist Simon Combes on February 3rd from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This retrospective exhibition of paintings represents a cross-section of the artist’s work encompassing more than two decades.
Combes was a passionate fundraiser for both Zoo Boise and the Hornocker Wildlife Preserve in Moscow, Idaho. During his frequent visits to Gallery 601, Combes painted in the gallery and made many friends in the Boise area
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In his honor, the proceeds of any of his works sold at the retrospective will be donated to his favorite charity, The RhinoRescue.
Artist Simon Combes led a life of adventure. Born in England and raised on an 800-acre farm in Kenya, Combes’ managed a 2,000-acre African farm, taught Uganda’s infamous Idi Amin to play rugby, commanded Kenya’s crack airborne force and fought in a guerilla war with Somali insurgents – all before he dedicated himself to becoming a full-time artist.
Since then, he became best known for his stunning images of the landscapes and wildlife of his beloved Africa. Combes was not only a man of the arts, but an avid conservationist. “I try to portray the beauty of the wilderness and its wild inhabitants. ” he says, “Hopefully, this will create an awareness and a desire to preserve this priceless, dwindling treasure.”
Combes as an artist and storyteller called to mind Indiana Jones. He quoted one of his life’s aims “to gather no moss.” He had been lost in a blizzard while crossing the Altai Mountains in Mongolia, air-lifted into the jungles of Venezuela and sketched Bengal tigers in India from a howdah atop a swaying elephant. While leading safaris in Africa, Simon was always searching for inspirations for his next painting. His art portrays the grace, power and the mystery of the wild with an exacting technique of capturing detail.
About Simon Combes
Simon Combes was born in England, and moved at the age of six to a farm in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. Later, he attended Duke of York School in Nairobi and spent free time wandering Lord Delamere’s 58,000-acre ranch at Elementeia, where his father was a cattle manager. There he developed an early love and knowledge of wilderness and wildlife. In 1958, he was drafted into the Kenya Regiment and, after completing his service, applied for a commission in the Kings African Rifles, a local army commanded and administered by the British colonial regime. In 1960, he was accepted into the RoyalMilitaryAcademy, Sandhurst, but was first assigned to “training” in Uganda’s 4th KAR, where one of his responsibilities was to assist in the grooming of Idi Amin for an officer’s commission.
For five years following Sandhurst (and Kenya’s independence), Combes served in the Kenyan army in the guerrilla war with neighboring Somalia. During idle moments of this time, he began to draw. In 1964, he “volunteered” for Kenya’s new airborne unit, of which he soon became the commander and he attained the rank of Major at the age of twenty-four. In 1969, a near sell-out of his paintings at the NewStanleyArtGallery in Nairobi planted in his mind the glimmer of an idea that art could be an alternative career. By 1970, he was responsible for army operations and training. Following a year at the MilitaryStaffCollege in England, he announced his intention to retire, but it would be three years before he was allowed to leave.
A full-time artist since 1974, he now resided until his death in December 2004 on that same ranch in Kenya where he began his love of wildlife and adventure. He sat on the boards of several wildlife conservation organizations and has raised, through his art, many thousands of dollars for their causes. He was Kenya representative and Project Director for the Rhino Rescue Trust that
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carries out vital work in neighboring LakeNakuruNational Park. He won numerous fine art awards and his paintings are in collections around the globe. He wrote two books: An African Experience: Wildlife Art and Adventure in Kenya and Great Cats: Stories and Art from a World Traveller, both distributed by The Greenwich Workshop Press.
About the Greenwich Workshop
The Greenwich Workshop is a leading provider of limited edition fine art prints and canvases, fine art gifts (including three-dimensional products in porcelain and Pearl Bisque™) and books. The Greenwich Workshop represents more than 50 leading artists through its authorized network of more than 1,200 art and framing retailers located throughout North America. Established in 1972, the company’s mission is to enhance the quality of people’s lives through high quality, affordable art. The Greenwich Workshop is located in Seymour, Connecticut.
About The Gallery 601
Gallery 601 is an authorized dealer of The Greenwich Workshop, Inc. Gallery 601 features limited edition prints, giclée canvas prints and original art as well as a selection of special interest books and gifts. We are located at 211 North 10th Street in Boise. Please visit us Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. except the first Thursday of the month when the gallery is open until 9:00 p.m. and Saturday fro 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact us by phone at (208) 336-5899 or email us at . Visit us on the web at .
We invite you to visit to access some useful story materials including downloadable images of several of Combes’ paintings as well as a photo of the artist.