Photo:  Jeff M Lewis ● opticaldelusions.com

Welcome to my website.  I paint animals and my preferred medium is oils.  My work is all about animals, their beauty, grace and place in the world.  Everyone, at some time or another, has witnessed animals doing what they do, either up close or at a distance.  At times, these encounters have had a profound effect on us.  I capture those moments.

I find it challenging trying to capture the animal, poised and visually dramatic, a glimpse of that animal in "a moment" of his life in his natural environment.  Attention to detail and successfully capturing the expression, essence and spirit of animals best describes my work.

I spent most of my career as a freelance graphic designer, but always had a love of nature and animals. I originally started painting dogs and horses on commission but, wanting to be more involved in wildlife painting, my wife and I recently relocated from Southern California to Bend, Oregon. Having all of the natural beauty of the outdoors so close to the studio really allows me to get out and do all the necessary field work and study it takes to accurately create these beautiful animals.

Education & Membership Affiliations:

BFA, West Virginia University

Oil Painters of America - Associate Member