Introducing the Banovich Catalog - Volume 17
There is a moment, long before a painting begins, when something in the wild captures an artist's imagination.
It may be the quiet authority of an old elephant bull standing beneath an African sky. The unmistakable gaze of a lion emerging from the shadows. The extraordinary tenderness between a mother and her calf. Or simply the way the afternoon light settles across a landscape that has remained unchanged for generations.
For John Banovich, these moments have become the foundation of a remarkable artistic journey spanning more than three decades. They have taken him into some of the world's most extraordinary wilderness areas, introduced him to people whose lives are devoted to protecting them, and inspired a body of work that continues to connect people with the natural world.
Today, we are delighted to introduce the 2027 Banovich Catalog - Volume 17 - a collection of art, stories, travel and conservation that reflects not simply what John has created, but the experiences, relationships and convictions that have shaped his life's work. This is more than a catalog of wildlife art. It is an invitation to see the world through an artist's eyes.
A Life Inspired by the Wild
In 1993, John Banovich stepped onto African soil for the first time. His journey began in Botswana, where the vast landscapes of the Kalahari awakened something that would change the course of his life. What began as a safari became a lifelong relationship with the continent.
Over the years, John has returned again and again, spending thousands of hours observing wildlife, studying animal behavior, working alongside conservationists and building friendships with the extraordinary people who know these wild places intimately. Those experiences have informed more than 1,500 paintings and a philosophy that continues to guide his work today.
To John, painting wildlife has never been simply about reproducing what the eye can see. It is about understanding the animal, its character, its relationships and the landscape to which it belongs. It is about capturing something that a photograph alone cannot always explain.
That philosophy runs throughout Volume 17.
From the immense presence of Africa's great elephants to the intimate details of a leopard resting in the afternoon light, every work carries a story. Some are stories of extraordinary encounters. Others are quiet observations that reveal themselves only through patience.
Together, they remind us that the natural world still has an extraordinary capacity to surprise, humble and inspire us.
Introducing Giants of Africa
Among the most anticipated features of this year's catalog is Giants of Africa: A Life Among Elephants, John's forthcoming publication and newest artistic exploration of one of the world's most remarkable animals.
Few creatures have influenced his work as profoundly as the African elephant.
From the great tuskers of Amboseli to the breeding herds of Botswana's Okavango Delta, the ancient forests of Mana Pools and the river systems of the Lower Zambezi, elephants have remained a constant source of fascination. Their enormous physical presence is only part of their story.
There is the intelligence of a matriarch guiding her family, the tenderness between generations, the quiet confidence of an old bull and the extraordinary social relationships that hold elephant families together.
In Giants of Africa, John explores these animals not simply as artistic subjects, but as individuals whose lives are deeply connected to the landscapes they inhabit.
The forthcoming 208-page volume brings together more than 215 paintings and sketches, offering an extraordinary visual journey into the world of elephants. It is both a celebration of their magnificence and a reminder of our responsibility to ensure that future generations may continue to experience them in the wild.
John Banovich, We Three Kings II, Limited Edition Giclée Canvas, Gallery Edition - 25" x 38" | Studio Edition - 42" x 63"
New Works. New Stories. Enduring Inspiration.
Volume 17 also introduces a selection of new limited-edition releases alongside some of John's most celebrated wildlife paintings.
Among the featured works are Big Drinkers of the Okavango, Still Kings, Titan, Bugle and The Ambush. Each offers a different perspective on the natural world.
In Still Kings, four male lions rest together at the edge of the delta, their strength conveyed not through action, but through stillness.
Big Drinkers of the Okavango captures the extraordinary social presence of elephants gathering at water.
And The Ambush, a dramatic portrayal of the Amur tiger, carries a purpose that extends far beyond the canvas.
A portion of the proceeds from its limited edition will directly support the Siberian Tiger Project, helping preserve an extraordinary legacy of wildlife research and conservation in the Russian Far East.
Throughout the collection, there is a remarkable diversity of subjects and artistic expression. From the great predators and herbivores of Africa to the wildlife of Asia and North America, the paintings invite us to look more closely at animals we may think we already know.
There are also opportunities to discover John's field sketches, selected bronze sculptures by John Tolmay, and a collection of beautifully considered pieces that bring the spirit of wildlife art into the home.
For collectors, admirers of wildlife and those discovering John's work for the first time, Volume 17 offers a fascinating window into an artistic life dedicated to the natural world.
Beyond the Canvas: The Art of Travel
One of the most meaningful developments in John's journey has been the evolution of Wildscapes Travel. Born from his personal relationship with Africa, Wildscapes offers something that extends well beyond the traditional luxury safari.
It is an opportunity to experience the landscapes that have inspired his art, guided by the knowledge, relationships and understanding accumulated over more than three decades. Perhaps you have admired a painting of an elephant beneath Mount Kilimanjaro and wondered what it might feel like to stand in that landscape yourself. Perhaps you have been captivated by the quiet intensity of a leopard's gaze, the great migration herds of Tanzania or the extraordinary mountain gorillas of Rwanda.
Through Wildscapes Travel, those possibilities can become deeply personal journeys.
Every itinerary begins with the individual traveller. Their interests, passions, curiosity and the experiences they hope to take home.
Some journeys lead into remote private wilderness areas where exceptional guiding and time spent observing wildlife create extraordinary encounters. Others introduce travelers to conservation researchers, community leaders and the people working to protect the natural world.
The finest journeys are not necessarily the ones that cover the greatest distances or visit the most destinations. They are the ones that allow us to experience a place deeply enough to understand why it matters. And sometimes, the most meaningful souvenirs are not the photographs we bring home, but the way a place changes how we see the world.
When Art Becomes an Act of Conservation
Underlying John's artistic journey is a conviction that has grown stronger with every passing year: the wildlife and wilderness that inspire us must also be protected.
Founded in 2007, the Banovich Wildscapes Foundation supports conservation initiatives dedicated to protecting endangered species, sustaining ecosystems and strengthening the communities that share their lives with wildlife. Its work reaches across continents and includes support for rhino conservation, mountain gorilla veterinary care, lion research, wildlife corridors, community development and long-term scientific research.
Among the initiatives featured in Volume 17 is the Siberian Tiger Project, a remarkable conservation program built upon decades of scientific knowledge and field experience.
As changing geopolitical circumstances threatened the continuity of international support, the Foundation stepped forward to help sustain this important work through the local Russian organization Far East Fauna. It is a powerful example of the responsibility that comes with caring about the natural world. Because conservation is not simply about admiring what remains. It is about taking meaningful action to ensure that it endures.
Through the Foundation, a portion of the proceeds from artwork sales and Wildscapes journeys contributes to that wider purpose. Art inspires connection. Travel deepens understanding. Conservation turns that understanding into action. And each has the potential to make the other more meaningful.
An Invitation to Look Closer
As we introduce The 2027 Banovich Catalog - Volume 17, we hope you will take your time exploring its pages.
Discover the stories behind the paintings. Spend a moment with the elephants. Look into the eyes of a lion. Consider the remarkable landscapes and people who have inspired this collection.
Perhaps you will find a work of art that speaks to you. Perhaps you will discover a place you have always wanted to visit. Or perhaps you will be reminded of something we so easily forget in the busyness of everyday life: that there is still an extraordinary world beyond our own, filled with beauty, complexity and wonder.
For John, the journey that began in Botswana more than thirty years ago continues to unfold. There are still animals to understand, landscapes to explore, stories to tell and wild places worth protecting. Volume 17 is another chapter in that journey, and we are delighted to share it with you.
Explore the art, the journeys and the conservation stories behind the canvas.
