The Sentinel
CLOUDED LEOPARD - These predators are an enigma to me, and their silence in the jungle amplifies that mystery. Solitary and extremely shy, it is quite rare to see them in the wild. The exquisite markings and the eyes are the features that compelled me to put it to paper.
Savanna Summer
PLAINS ZEBRAS - The play of shadows on these zebras on a bright summer day is what drew me to this picture. Light blues, periwinkles, and purples all combined to show so much depth that I felt I was there. I challenged myself to capture that feeling and communicate it to the viewer.
Sunkissed
RED PANDA - Commissioned for a fundraiser facilitated by Gregg’s Distributors of Edmonton, this is the very first pastel painting I tackled. The original itself sold at the event to raise money for a new Red Panda enclosure/exhibit at the Edmonton Valley Zoo.
Tousled Trio
DALMATIAN PELICANS - I love the “bed head” look of these large birds, which compelled me to paint these three. Arguably the largest of all flying birds, with a wingspan of up to 11’, they rival even the albatross in size. But to me it is their funky look that stands out!
Just Hangin’ Out
LEOPARD - To me leopards are the cool kids of the big cats. They can thwart even the strongest of the predators on the savanna simply by climbing trees, which also doubles as their dining room, bedroom and panic room, depending on the situation. A very simple, but effective, adaptation for this feline!
Snowbound
TIMBER WOLF - Highly misunderstood and maligned, the wolf is an apex predator whose importance in a thriving ecosystem is still threatened by generational hatred and encroachment. Maintaining balance and herd sizes, the wolf pack weeds out the sick and the old, leaving a healthy community of elk, deer, reindeer, and many other species to propagate in harmony with the ecosystem. Some First Nations believe wolves are the spirits of dead warriors and pay homage to them through song, dance and art. This is my homage.
Pacific Passage
ORCAS - Also known as Killer Whales, these amazing animals are THE apex predators of the sea. However, to me, they are much more than that. They are intelligent and self-aware, they mourn their dead, and their families stay together forever. I feel a connection to them I cannot explain. I am honored to be able to pay them the respect they deserve in the way that I know how.
Backlit Breakfast
The Peregrine Falcon is my favorite raptor, and just to watch them maneuver in the air when in pursuit of prey is amazing and mesmerizing. They are a natural predator of small birds and help to maintain the population balance in the wild. We almost lost them before the use of DDT was banned in many countries, and through the tireless efforts of many conservation groups, their numbers rebounded. Today they are thriving in diverse areas, from prairies to mountains and even in urban settings. Typically a dark colored bird, I was struck by this picture because of the sun rendering the falcon’s wings and tail nearly transparent as it carried its prey, a blue jay, off for its morning repast.
Shadow Hunter
Herons are fascinating birds. They thrive in many ecosystems; lakes, rivers, and swamps and their range is immense. This Tri-colored Heron calls the Florida Everglades home and what home! Shared with alligators, shorebirds, wading birds, raptors, and many mammals, the everglades are ripe with predators and prey of all kinds. Herons are both and have to evade alligators and snakes while hunting for themselves and their young. They prey mostly on fish and crustaceans and will follow behind other wading birds scooping up small fish left in the wake. To help them see better in water, herons have developed a little trick called “tenting”. They create a canopy with their wings to cast a shadow directly in front of them, making the water easier to see into, and darting fish a quick target. Evolutionary skill on display, this Tri-colored Heron is waiting patiently for a meal as it walks slowly and deliberately through the shallows.
