ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2021 Submission

The most exciting part of being a wildlife artist is going out into the field to gather the reference for my paintings. Here where my passion begins!

I don’t copy photographs I use them as a tool to get where I want to express in my work. I often add a bit more color to my paintings to inspire excitement in the viewer. Each of my paintings tells a story.

I paint in acrylics, oils and in pastels. With oils and acrylics I will often use tempered boards of canvas coating them with a color to set the mood for the scene. I apply values to establish my lights and darks. Finally comes color and textures are the stars of my work.

I tend to favor a warm palette over a cool one, I think that living in Florida has something to do with it.

When I start a painting in pastel I use a textured paper. I cover it with four colors depicting values and stain the rubbing alcohol.