I am compelled to give a human face to the wild creatures who share our world. Creating a memorable connection between humans and wildlife, especially unusual or under-represented species, has been a long-standing catalyst for my work. This drive has led me to specialize in wildlife portraiture.<br><br>I place the animal against a simple colored backdrop or the stark white of the page. By stripping away traditional scenic backdrops, focus can be given solely to the subject. This classic portraiture style, typically reserved for human subjects, allows the wildlife portraits to resonate with the viewer on a human level. By incorporating a sense of subtle body language and facial expressions from contemplative to humorous, the animal portraits present the viewer with a unique expression of human personality in the non-human subject. Allowing time for visiting zoos, national parks, wildlife refuges, and sanctuaries to observe animals and their natural behaviors is a critical part of my art practice. I use the reference photos, sketches, and observations from these visits back in the studio. My two mediums of choice are either ink or acrylic. All my color works are acrylic on panel and the black and white works are ink on paper. In addition to selling the original paintings, I sell reproductions. The archival prints are available ready to frame or mounted on 1.5-inch cradled wood panels. In my studio, I hand mount each print using an archival gel medium and apply a UV varnish to the front of the piece.<br>