Original Painting by British Artist John Dyer
Available to purchase online or view privately by appointment in Falmouth
◽️ Original John Dyer painting, professionally framed
◽️ One of Cornwall's best-known artists
◽️ A painting to enjoy for generations
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Collector reviews for John Dyer's Original Paintings
Painting Description
Elephant of the Forest, Pench, India was painted by John Dyer during his Last Chance to Paint – Land of the Tiger expedition in the dry tropical forests of Pench, central India.
During the expedition, John encountered a working elephant in Pench, an experience that helped inspire this painting. Elephants are also part of the wider natural and cultural landscape of India, and here John places the animal firmly within the living forest rather than presenting it in isolation.
The elephant stands calmly among the trees, surrounded by the remarkable bird and insect life of the forest. Look closely and you can spot plum-headed parakeets, a peacock, common jezebel butterflies and Indian vultures perched high in the branches.
John builds the painting through layers of rich blue, green, violet and warm earth colours, creating a strong sense of being immersed in the forest. The elephant’s soft blue-grey form sits beautifully against the surrounding foliage, while the bright flashes of birds and butterflies bring movement and energy to the scene.
As with many of John’s Pench paintings, the work is about coexistence and connection. The elephant, birds, butterflies, trees and undergrowth all occupy the same visual world, forming part of one interconnected ecosystem.
The painting also became part of the wider story of the expedition itself. Shortly after completing it, John was interviewed and filmed by NDTV, one of India’s largest broadcasters, bringing international attention to his work in Pench and to the environmental themes behind the Last Chance to Paint project.
Elephant of the Forest is both a joyful wildlife painting and a record of John Dyer’s experience of working directly in one of India’s most extraordinary forest environments.
| Description | Framed Original Painting |
| Artist | Cornish Artist John Dyer (born 1968) |
| Signed by the Artist | Signed by John Dyer |
| Painting size | 18 x 18 inches |
| Medium | Acrylic on canvas |
| Framed size | 23.5 x 23.5 inches |
| Frame type | The St Ives style picture frame is a Renaissance-inspired cassetta frame, Italian for 'little box', featuring a white stain finish that highlights the wood grain. With a 73mm wide profile and 39mm depth, it creates a recessed central panel, perfect for a timeless, contemporary and elegant display of the painting. |
| Ready to hang | Strung with picture cord and ready to hang |
Explore the Indian Summer collection.
About the Artist
This piece is a quintessential example of the vibrant, joyful style that has made John Dyer one of the most sought-after Cornish artists working today. To explore his full Artist Chronology, view his Paintings in Public Collections, or read his Biography, please visit the official John Dyer Collection.
"There is an innocence and freshness to John Dyer's art that follows a tradition in Cornwall that includes the paintings of Cornwall by Alfred Wallis, Christopher Wood, Fred Yates and Bryan Pearce. Rather than trying to record what he sees, John sets out to capture the 'essence' of his subject. The 'essence' of seagulls, cats, dogs, bobbing boats, or exploding fireworks communicate far more strongly through John's brushstrokes than they would if drawn more traditionally. It is this ability to capture the 'essence' of what is important that seems to appeal to his collectors who have shown great vision and originality in their own careers, such as Tim Smit, Alan Titchmarsh, Toyah Willcox & Kim Wilde."
Director Falmouth Art Gallery
"There is an innocence and freshness to John Dyer's art that follows a tradition in Cornwall that includes the paintings of Cornwall by Alfred Wallis, Christopher Wood, Fred Yates and Bryan Pearce. Rather than trying to record what he sees, John sets out to capture the 'essence' of his subject. The 'essence' of seagulls, cats, dogs, bobbing boats, or exploding fireworks communicate far more strongly through John's brushstrokes than they would if drawn more traditionally. It is this ability to capture the 'essence' of what is important that seems to appeal to his collectors who have shown great vision and originality in their own careers, such as Tim Smit, Alan Titchmarsh, Toyah Willcox & Kim Wilde."
Director Falmouth Art Gallery
John Dyer is one of the UK's most exciting postmodern plein-air painters whose paintings are widely collected and admired worldwide. Dyer has been appointed as the artist in residence for many global organisations, including the Eden Project and is one of the leading environmental artists. Dyer's colourful, dynamic and energy-filled naïve paintings are unique, widely studied in schools across the globe and have been the subject of TV programmes, magazine articles, and a wide range of merchandise. The artist's major public retrospective in 2018 with the award-winning Falmouth Art Gallery and accompanying book secured Dyer a place in Cornwall's world-famous art history.
John Dyer is one of the UK's most exciting postmodern plein-air painters whose paintings are widely collected and admired worldwide. Dyer has been appointed as the artist in residence for many global organisations, including the Eden Project and is one of the leading environmental artists. Dyer's colourful, dynamic and energy-filled naïve paintings are unique, widely studied in schools across the globe and have been the subject of TV programmes, magazine articles, and a wide range of merchandise. The artist's major public retrospective in 2018 with the award-winning Falmouth Art Gallery and accompanying book secured Dyer a place in Cornwall's world-famous art history.
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"John is an artist who reaches the parts that many other artists cannot."
Alan Titchmarsh MBE
"John's brave use of colour and broad truthful brushstrokes make a direct hit on the retina."
Toyah Willcox
"A fabulous collection which perfectly epitomises Eden."
Sir Tim Smit KBE
"I have always had immense respect for anyone who chooses to take the time to interpret our world for us through painting, and feel especially privileged to have hosted such an inspired artist in our back garden!"
Kim Wilde
"John is an artist who reaches the parts that many other artists cannot."
Alan Titchmarsh MBE
"John's brave use of colour and broad truthful brushstrokes make a direct hit on the retina."
Toyah Willcox
"A fabulous collection which perfectly epitomises Eden."
Sir Tim Smit KBE
"I have always had immense respect for anyone who chooses to take the time to interpret our world for us through painting, and feel especially privileged to have hosted such an inspired artist in our back garden!"
Kim Wilde
A selection of reviews from collectors of John Dyer's paintings
★★★★★
A Joyful painting
"So delighted with my latest purchase! Perfectly packaged and delivered swiftly. It now adorns my newly painted white wall and stands out a treat. It brings a wonderful spash of colour to our home. You can not help but smile when walking into the room. It is much admired. Thank you"
Sandy Blinch
★★★★★
Happy dipping days
"I just couldn’t resist this lovely painting of ‘Chilly dippers’ especially as I have recently discovered cold water swimming for myself! This reminds me of the fun and sheer exhilaration of swimming in the open air with like minded friends. Thank you John for this wonderful portrayal."
Hazel Yelland-Helliwel
★★★★★
The Best Present Ever!
"I wanted a present, to cheer up my husband, who had been poorly, working far too hard, and was feeling a bit ‘under the weather’. The colours and happiness that radiate from the painting are amazing and hypnotic. It was the best gift I could ever have bought, he was gobsmacked and so pleased...and the swift and friendly service from John and his wife Joanne, who delivered the painting themselves, was excellent."
Susie
★★★★★
I enjoy looking at it every day now
"I bought this picture because it was the beach I used to surf on as a young woman and take my children on. The painting gets it right.. it is a wonderful reminder of days long gone and I enjoy looking at it every day now. The colours are bright and just beautiful. Thank you John Dyer."
Jean Rolt
★★★★★
View to the lighthouse, St Ives
"Opening the parcel containing this John Dyer painting was so exciting and I couldn’t have been more happy when I saw it. The colours are so vivid and it just makes me smile and feel joyful whenever I look at it. Thank you John Dyer"
Sally Granger
★★★★★
Simply stunning!
"I fell in love with this painting the moment I saw it. I am so pleased to say it has pride of place in my lounge. The colours are dazzling and I love the night sky. There’s so much detail and I can honestly spend ages just looking at everything in the painting, it’s fascinating!"
Sally Turner
★★★★★
Stunning painting
"I am so thrilled with this purchase - the painting brings joy to my whole family every time we see it on our wall (and it’s the first thing we see when we enter our home!). The colours are beautifully vibrant and there’s something new to appreciate each time you look at it. I particularly love John Dyer’s series of travel paintings and the ethos behind his work on the rainforest. I am so grateful to own a piece of this story, thank you."
Prerna Mankad
★★★★★
This painting really captures the atmosphere
"I’m so thrilled with this latest addition to my John Dyer collection. I can almost smell the delicious aroma wafting from the cooking pot on the fire! It’s all the more meaningful having spent time myself exploring the culture of Cusco. This painting really captures the atmosphere and brings back happy memories of my travels in Peru."
Julie Munro
★★★★★
"Every time I pass this painting in my kitchen it makes me smile. The infectious positivity it radiates is amazing and to be able to convey this through art in an incredible talent that John Dyer has in abundance. Thank you very much for providing my spring and summer in a painting! The whole purchase experience was faultless and the delivery in person was just the icing on the cake! Many thanks and I look forward to adding more paintings over the coming years."
Carolyn Peters
Read More Reviews
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