Original Art Piece

Bear Cub’s Brother

24x24” Acrylic on canvas,

framed in a black floating frame made custom by (who else?) @rusticburlco.

Yes, I have painted this face before, but this painting is entirely different from the last Black Bear Cub I painted. I added in a lot of the green forest tones in the background this time around, which I feel really draws your attention to that dangling leaf in his mouth. The glazing process was different this time, even the colour pallet was slightly different. Painting it felt like painting something I have never painted before- I think because we’re always changing and growing as we go, so even the “same” painting can’t be the same painted twice.

reference credit due to Cooper Ferko @coop814_photography (used with permission), Thank you!!

I am a self-taught Canadian wildlife artist based in Calgary, AB. I have no credentials: (no art school or professional classes). I am super unqualified to be an artist in any capacity. Here’s a bit about how I got here:

It wasn’t until I became gravely ill with postpartum depression after the birth of my third child that I found myself trying water color painting as a form of therapy. I began painting because I HAD to, and: It worked. Without trying to make anything particularly wonderful I was free to create and all of a sudden I was SET free… Painting was the only time that my brain would rest, therefore art became an essential part of healing my brain. You could argue that art saved my life-- I was truly very ill. If I hadn’t needed art to save my brain I don’t know if I ever would have discovered the talent l have been given!

As I explored different mediums, I moved into acrylic landscape painting and oil Impressionism and I landed in the world of soft pastels and acrylic wildlife painting. I was mesmerized with the depth of color I could create in blending pastel pencil colors together. I had painted many animals in water color, but as I attempted animals in pastel there was a moment where I sat back in my chair and found myself staring into the eye of a creature that seemed to have come to life on my paper! I was hooked. Creating lifelike animals has been my focus ever since!

I live in Calgary Alberta, Canada where I was born and raised with my husband of over 16 years and our 3 adorable kiddos. I am a wife and a mom first and I have cherished the privilege of getting to stay home raising my kids while I now pursue my full time artist career. I love getting outside, and summer days at the beach. I love late night fires with neighbors and games nights with friends.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

I am passionate about painting wild animals and communicating something words cannot express through my work. I aim to create art that draws you in, holds your attention and speaks to your soul.