Going through the doors of the Frame Gallery at Fair Grounds Mall one is greeted by a large beautiful painting of a zebra. In front of the zebra is a woman splashing her face with water.

The theme of the large painting is Freedom. By just looking at the artpiece one immediately gets the idea that the beautiful woman is having a blissful time, swimming in the free waters.The painter Andrick Jean says he was greatly inspired by the peace and tranquillity Batswana enjoy that he strongly felt the need to express his amazement with oil paint on canvas.Jean, who is from the Seychelles, moved to Botswana two years back and immediately picked some similarities between the two countries.

"Perhaps the main difference would be the cultures of the two countries but many things are just the same. I love the welcoming nature of Batswana, the way they would even greet a stranger," he said."The water in my country is free and vast and that compares very well with the way Batswana live.The Zebra is one of the centres of attractions in Botswana loved by many and I have seen these animals move with a lot of freedom in this country almost the same way as the people do," Jean told Showbiz.

Jean, who is a professional photographer, explained that often after capturing moments on his lens his creativity drives him to turning them into "live" paintings."I have seen great views around the world and after photographing them I would manipulate them to come up with a unique painting.For instance

I took two pictures of a Zebra and a woman in water in different locations and combined them," he explained.Jean has been an artist for almost his entire life using different forms of expression.  He calls his work modern art, saying he likes doing pieces that everybody can easily connect with."I have done some imaginative drawings and paintings. I love art and I also believe that is the reason I ended up a photographer as well," he said.One of Jean's paintings on display at The Frame Gallery depicts a big map of Africa with a large elephant standing in the middle.Because his paintings and photographs "always have to tell a story" Jean explained that having seen what poverty was doing to his own people back home and the rest of Africa he came up with a painting which he hoped would inspire those who would see it to help save the children of this continent.

"The problem of child suffering is wide spread in Africa and as you might know elephants are always taking good care of their young ones, guarding them until they can survive on their own.Unfortunately that love and protection has eluded many children of Africa," Jean said.Jean is organising a one-man exhibition at the Frame Gallery where more of his artworks will be on display next month.