Animal Portraits

Artist Statement

Each animal has its own foibles and charms. The Grizzly Bear is on a picnic confounded by ants devouring her jam; the Polar Bear is proudly wearing his "March for Science" pin, standing up for the fate of our world. My ongoing series of animals are anthropomorphically presented as if they were portraits of kith and kin. The subject dominates the composition leaving little negative space; an approach that emphasizes the subject and reveals small painted details symbolic of the animal's life, such as a brooch or motif. My style is largely influenced by the rich detail, flat surfaces, and bright and pure coloring of Persian Miniature painting, as well as by realism and detail from Germanic Renaissance portraiture. If you're interested in learning more about how and why I make my animals watch my artist talk or visit my Commission FAQ page. 

​Please visit my shop to view and purchase animal portrait originals and prints. 

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