Why I Paint Women and Wildlife Together: The Connection Between Humanity and Nature

There’s something quietly powerful about the way a bird takes flight or how a deer pauses in stillness of the woods—those small, sacred moments in the wild remind us of who we truly are. In my art, I often paint women and wildlife together, not just for their beauty, but for the deeper story they share. It’s a story of connection, and the hope that comes from feeling part of something bigger than ourselves.

I believe that both women and wildlife carry an inner strength that’s often unseen but deeply felt. When I paint a woman alongside a bird, fox, or butterfly, I’m reflecting a relationship—a mirror of our connection with nature and reminder that we need nature as much as nature needs us.

Nature doesn’t ask us to be perfect. It simply invites us to be present. Spending time outdoors can be a quiet nudge to come back to ourselves—to listen, to breathe, to trust. The women in my paintings are often contemplative, not because they are disengaged, but because they are listening to something deeper. Their gaze, posture, or subtle expression captures a moment of being in tune with the natural world and with themselves.

Painting wildlife and birds, together with humanity, also feels like a gentle way to advocate for them. The more we are mindful of, and care about our connection with nature, the more likely we are to protect it. Through my work, I hope to offer a sense of belonging—to the natural world, to one another, and to our own inner landscapes. It’s not about loud declarations. It’s about quiet reminders: You are part of this world, and you matter.

Every piece is layered with intention—oil paint and mixed media offering depth and movement, much like the way our stories and experiences shape us. Each painting is an invitation to pause and notice the beauty, strength, and hope that live in both the human spirit and the natural world.

In the end, I paint women and wildlife together because I want to honor the important connection between humanity and nature. Women embody a nurturing strength and are so often the care-givers of our communities - offering empathy and support.  In a world that moves so fast, where it's easy to feel overwhelmed or disconnected, the natural world invites us to slow down, breathe, and return to what matters. My art is a visual way to feel the calm, the connection, and the healing that nature offers. It’s a call to care deeply—for ourselves, for one another, and for the wild beauty that sustains us.