Growing up in Wisconsin, I spent countless hours in the woods wandering deer trails, listening to the calls of loons echo across northern lakes, and learning to be still enough to watch wildlife emerge from the shadows. Those early experiences weren’t just part of my childhood, they were the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the natural world, one that continues to shape who I am and how I paint.

As a wildlife artist and retired biologist, I’ve devoted my life to understanding animals on their own terms. I studied black bears in remote forests, crawled into the dens of hibernating mothers, and tracked movement patterns for weeks on end. These weren’t just scientific observations, they were lessons in patience, humility, and respect.

Today, my paintings are a continuation of those moments in the wild. Rather than placing animals in detailed landscapes, I paint them emerging from misty, atmospheric backgrounds and spaces that reflect spirit and energy more than place. My focus is always the animal itself: its individuality, its inner life, its presence.

The painting shown here, Success in Green Water, captures one of those moments of connection. From behind, we see the bear immersed in the current, salmon clutched in its jaws. The details are simple, yet alive.  The splash of the stream, the wet sheen of the fur, the strength in its back. This isn’t just a portrait of a bear. It’s a glimpse into its world.

Though I now split my time between Wisconsin and the Sierra Nevada foothills of California, those early woods of home still call to me. Every brushstroke is a way of honoring the wild places I’ve known, both past and present. I paint to remember. I paint to share. And I paint to help others see what I’ve seen: the beauty, dignity, and soul of the animals who still roam our world.

If this painting speaks to you, I invite you to explore more of my work here on the website. Thank you for walking this path with me.

Sandra