Gorilla and Baby – Painting Process

 

Acrylic on Canvas       28  x 22 

This painting began with a loose charcoal sketch directly on the canvas. I like to keep the initial drawing spontaneous and fluid—too much precision at this stage can rob the animals of their life and movement. The goal is to capture gesture, not detail.

 

The reference comes from a photo I took at the zoo, during one of many quiet mornings spent observing. There was something about this mother carrying her baby that stuck with me—the baby’s gaze seemed to meet mine through the lens. That moment became the heart of the painting.

Next, I blocked in the shapes using very watered-down burnt sienna. This helps define the composition while giving a warm undertone that peeks through the final layers.

 

My palette is:

• Paynes Grey

• Burnt Sienna

• Raw Umber

• Yellow Ochre

• Brilliant Yellow Green

• Yellow Light

• Ultramarine Blue

• Titanium White

  
  
   

These muted tones reflect the feeling of early morning in the jungle—quiet, shaded, and full of soft light filtering through dense trees. The greens and ochres create a natural atmosphere without overwhelming the subjects.

 

As the painting progresses, I slowly build detail while trying to preserve that initial vitality. The bond between mother and child, and by extension the gorilla troop, is central to this piece. There’s a tenderness and a sense of quiet resilience I wanted to honor.

 

Side by Side – A Portrait of Lions

 

Oil on Canvas        9 x 12

This is a new painting of a lion pair—resting together, watchful and quiet. I’ve always found lions both majestic and melancholy. They sleep most of the day, but when they rise, they move with a grounded dignity that’s hard to describe.

When I was younger and first started visiting the zoo on my own, I’d always go straight to the lion enclosure. The male had a habit of standing near the front and letting out a deep roar—it sounded more like a hoarse cough than the Hollywood version of a roar, but it was unmistakable and unforgettable. I later learned this sound is part of how lions mark their territory and communicate with pride members. For me, it felt like a kind of declaration: “I’m here.”

I’ve read that lionesses do most of the hunting while the males help protect the pride’s territory. In the wild, they face many threats—habitat loss, poaching, and conflict with humans. It’s heartbreaking to know that there are now likely more lions in captivity than roaming freely in their natural habitats.

You may remember the tragic story of a lion named Cecil, lured out of a protected area and killed in a staged hunt by a trophy hunter. It shook many people, including me. What I felt most was grief for the loss of something irreplaceable—an animal just trying to live.

This painting is not meant to preach, just to pause. To honor their beauty, their lives, and their quiet rituals.

Grackle Painting – The Overlooked Beauty of an Intelligent Bird

 

Oil on Gesso Board     5 x 7

Grackles may not top most people's lists of “pretty” birds, with their piercing yellow eyes and reputation as common and unremarkable. But if you look closely, their feathers shimmer with iridescent purples and blues, revealing a beauty often overlooked. Their gaze, which some mistake for vacant, hides a sharp intelligence.

A few years ago, I trained a group of them to visit my deck, where they would patiently wait for a peanut. Though often seen as aggressive, grackles—like all birds—can be pushy when food is scarce. But when they trust their food source, they become surprisingly polite, waiting their turn.

I found the model for this painting at my local zoo, not inside an enclosure but outside, foraging in the grass. Sometimes, the most interesting sights at a zoo aren’t behind the glass but right at your feet.

 

Majestic Wolf in Snow--Winter Wildlife Painting

 

Acrylic on Watercolor Board      16 x 20

I never tire of painting wolves—maybe because I enjoy spending time watching them, waiting for them to strike a good pose, or simply appreciating the ritual of being outdoors in a place that has brought me so much joy. This piece is painted on a new surface for me: watercolor board. Using thinned acrylic paint, it captures the transparency of watercolor while still retaining some of the characteristics of an acrylic painting. The result is a unique hybrid effect, and since it doesn’t need to be framed under glass, the texture and depth of the painting can be fully appreciated.

 

Mexican Wolf Portrait – A Small, Affordable Acrylic Painting

 

              Acrylic on Gesso Board     5 x 7

The best time to visit the Mexican wolves at my local zoo is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. That’s when they’re most active, and the sun’s lower angle casts a softer, more dramatic light. If you arrive and it seems quiet, be patient—things can change in an instant. If you're lucky, you'll witness a moment straight out of a nature documentary. I once watched wolf pups emerge from their den for one of their very first explorations, under the watchful eyes of the pack.

 

Baby Orangutan Portrait--Endangered Wildlife Art

 Acrylic on Gesso Board       6 x 6

Meet this baby orangutan...curious, expressive and full of personality. Orangutans share nearly 97% of their DNA with humans, yet their future is uncertain. Habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade have pushed them to the brink, making them one of the world's most endangered primates. This portrait captures their soulful gaze, a reminder of what's at stake.

Young Grizzly Bear-Rescued Cub at Brookfield Zoo (Acrylic Wildlife Painting)

Acrylic on Canvas     12 x 24

This acrylic painting captures a young grizzly bear who was orphaned as a cub and now resides at the Brookfield Zoo. Inspired by my deep respect for Alaskan wildlife, this piece reflects both my of of the grizzly's beauty and my reverence for its immense power. the bear's thick fur and expressive gaze bring its spirit to life.

Sunrise Howl

 

Oil on Canvas Board    9 x 12

Two wolves greet the day.

The Pack

 

Acrylic on Canvas Board   16 x 20   SOLD

Mom and Dad pose with the kids for a family portrait.

Resting Wolf

 Acrylic on Canvas Board      12 x 16    SOLD

Full from a big meal a wolf dozes opening his eyes occasionally to make sure the rest of his pack is safe. Hand crafted barn board frame from repurposed wood.

Poser

 

Acrylic on Canvas Board   5 x 7    SOLD

Is this bird preening? Sleeping? Practicing a dance move? We don't know but he looks graceful.

Splish Splash Sparrow

 

Acrylic on Board        8 x 10

This painting depicts a serene, moment in nature, capturing the joy of a little sparrow taking a bath in Lake Michigan. The bird, flutters its wings, sending droplets of water splashing into the air.

Zebra Foal

 

Acrylic on Canvas    10 x 20  

I wanted to take on the challenge of painting this unique perspective knowing that if I did not get the stripes just right, the animal would not read correctly. Also, the photo I took of the Zebra Foal was irresistible and inspiring. I usually paint North American animals but I plan to include more African animals in my collection.  Grevy's Zebras are endangered in the wild, this foal was born in a zoo as part of the Species Survival Program.