Up Close from a Distance

     Most people feel a connection with animals, a connection established through their pets or through experiences in nature. This series emphasizes those moments of connection between animals and humans when eye contact is made. By capturing these moments and emphasizing the physicality of the scene through the heightened expression of texture and colour, I aim to create a momentary relationship between viewer and animal.
     My inspiration for this series of digital paintings is based on my experiences camping in British Columbia’s fragile wilderness. Through these pieces I emphasize their environment by placing the animals in this simplistic landscape. Through the viewers interpretations, these backgrounds can be viewed as different places. By taking a closer look at these pieces it creates a small moment between the viewer and the piece. Our local wildlife and its preservation is more important now than ever. Through this work I hope to create a momentary shift in the viewer’s train of thought in order to bring their attention to the precious wildlife around them.