Ink fineliners on paper, August 2009.
Caption reads: “When Mr Hippo was not chasing the local river fishermen, he enjoyed growing herbs for the organic produce market.”
I was trying to combine a Beatrix Potter-inspired cute animal in pretty garden vibe with that morbid truth that the hippopotamus is an incredibly dangerous animal.
A few years ago, on a visit to a zoo, we were able to handle the skull of a pygmy hippopotamus. I could not believe how sharp its teeth were… and that was the smaller hippo. I imagine the full size version would be full on terrifying!
I have made this design available for sale on greeting cards and art prints: http://flokot.redbubble.com/sets/81539/works/3526674-2-mr-hippos-herbarium
The Amalgamation 