Did You Know?
The hippopotamus — often called the “Big-Hearted Giant” of Africa — is one of the most fascinating and misunderstood animals on Earth. Though massive in size and powerful in strength, hippos are surprisingly graceful in water, where they spend most of their lives resting, cooling off, and socializing with their pods. As semi-aquatic herbivores, hippos play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, helping to shape rivers and grasslands across the African continent.
With every piece I create, my goal is not only to inspire and entertain but also to educate — embedding fascinating facts like these directly into my artwork.
For this Hippo piece, I carefully selected words like majestic, loyal, and endangered, along with phrases such as “King of the River,” “Cools in the Shade,” and “Uses Water to Stay Cool.” In total, you’ll find over 75 words and phrases hidden throughout the design, each one celebrating the hippo’s gentle strength, calm spirit, and essential connection to the water it calls home.
Every piece of my art is digitally hand-drawn, one letter at a time, with no word or phrase ever repeated. Depending on the complexity, each artwork takes between 6 and 60 hours to complete.
I truly hope this piece reminds you that even the mightiest creatures can possess both power and peace — strong, serene, and full of heart.
– Curtis