Hooded Merganser

6"x6" acrylic on canvas

I was inspired to paint this bird after seeing it on a nature show on TV. The bird has beautiful markings. This duck has the funniest mating call. It puffs up its head and shakes it to get the attention of the females. My family and I visited Cosley Zoo and I was thrilled to see and take reference photos of this duck.

Wolf

11"x14" acrylic on canvas

It's always fun to do a portrait of an animal. My wife and I visited this wolf at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone about 6 years ago. I love how the light is hitting his face and creating shadows.

Across the Creek

28"x22" acrylic on canvas

The photo reference of this bobcat was taken at Cosley Zoo in Wheaton, IL. The bobcat is such a beautiful animal. I could sit and watch them for hours. I took many photos of the cat at sunset. The low light source created some dramatic lighting that was so much fun to paint. I am very pleased with the finished painting.

Tatanka

12"x9" acrylic on canvas

After discovering some photos from a Yellowstone trip a few years back, I decided to paint this buffalo. I really liked the way the sun was highlighting his body and muscles. My wife and I were watching the movie "Dances with Wolves" this week and it was very inspiring. "Tatanka, which means bison or American buffalo in the Lakota Indian Language", was talked about and shown a lot in the movie. One scene that was particularly amazing to me was when the Indian's went hunting for the buffalo.

Lion Face

11"x14" acrylic on canvas

work in progress

Happy New Year! I wish everybody a healthy, successful and productive 2013. My first painting to start the year is of a lion from Brookfield Zoo. He was a lot of fun to paint.

Amur Leopard

36"x24" acrylic on canvas

Detail of face

Perhaps the most endangered 'big cat' in the world, the Amur leopard ranges in the valley along the Amur River—which trails the border of China and Russia.

This is an amazing animal from Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, IL. It was a joy to paint. After studying every inch of this cat, I am in awe of its beauty. The spots in themselves are each unique, none are the same. I can't wait to study another animal. So much to choose from.

Carlos

11"x14" acrylic on canvas

This is a last minute commissioned gift that I was able to get done in time for Christmas. This painting was a joy to paint, as all my animal paintings are.

Golden Oak

7"x5" acrylic on canvas board

It was fun to paint something a bit different, for the past month or so I have been painting animals. Animals are probably my favorite subject to paint, but it is refreshing to change it up a bit. This oak tree is one of the many beautiful trees my family and I saw this fall at Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton IL.

Deer

5"x7" acrylic on canvas board

This is another painting of a beautiful animal from Cosley Zoo in Wheaton IL.

Lil' Bugger

7"x5" acrylic on canvas board

This little Raccoon is from Cosley Zoo in Wheaton IL.  He was posing for me as if he wanted his portrait done. Well, here it is.