northern guardians
animal portraits
"Predator's Grace" is a powerful, hand-painted original artwork that captures the silent majesty and lethal elegance of a great horned owl in full flight beneath a moonlit winter sky. Measuring 36 inches wide by 27 inches high on a premium 2-inch deep gallery-wrapped canvas, this piece commands attention with its bold, frameless gallery presentation—ready to hang and designed to showcase its textured edges.
The central figure is a magnificent great horned owl, wings spread wide in a moment of perfect, predatory poise, its intense yellow eyes fixed forward with unwavering focus. Rendered in meticulous detail, the owl’s plumage reveals intricate layers of feather patterns in soft grays, warm taupes, and deep charcoals, contrasted against the dark, starry purple twilight of the background. Bare winter branches frame the scene like skeletal sentinels, while a luminous full moon glows through the canopy, casting ethereal light across the bird and creating a sense of quiet, otherworldly dominance.
Primarily painted in acrylic, the work is dramatically enhanced with luxurious hand-embellishments: thick, sculptural applications of glossy black paint accentuate the owl’s shadowed form, wing edges, and talons, giving them a wet, almost obsidian sheen that catches light with subtle reflections. Generous, raised strokes of thick white acrylic bring crisp texture to the feather tips, facial disk, and frost-kissed branches, adding tactile depth and a frosted sparkle. Genuine Austrian crystals are thoughtfully placed across the plumage and night sky, refracting ambient light into tiny prismatic glints that mimic distant stars and moonlight—creating an interactive shimmer that shifts and dances as the viewer moves.
A compelling blend of realism, nocturnal mystery, and mixed-media opulence, "Predator's Grace" celebrates nature’s apex hunter with symbolic strength, precision, and haunting beauty. Signed "NYX" and dated '25 in the lower right corner. Ideal for collectors who appreciate wildlife art, dark fantasy, symbolic power, and richly embellished fine art.
"Siku's Plunge" is a breathtaking limited-edition original gallery canvas painting that immortalizes the raw power and grace of Siku, the majestic male polar bear residing at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.
This large-scale masterpiece measures 48.5" wide by 43.25" high on a deep 2-inch gallery canvas, allowing it to command attention with its immersive presence. Created primarily in vibrant acrylics, the painting is elevated by strategic applications of oil paint for rich, tactile texture—capturing the plush density of Siku's thick white fur, the subtle sheen of wet pelage, and the dynamic movement of water. Most strikingly, genuine plexiglass "ice chips" are incorporated into the composition, adding genuine three-dimensional sparkle and refraction that mimics fractured Arctic ice, making the icy blue depths feel almost tangible.
The artwork depicts Siku in mid-plunge, his powerful body slicing through crystalline Arctic waters with effortless strength. Bubbles trail around his massive paws and streamlined form as he propels forward, his dark eyes alert and focused, nose breaking the surface amid swirling turquoise and deep sapphire tones. The dramatic play of light filtering through the water creates luminous highlights on his fur and casts ethereal glows across the icy ledge above, evoking the frozen majesty of the polar bear's natural Arctic habitat while highlighting his remarkable swimming prowess—polar bears are among the strongest swimmers in the animal kingdom.
Inspired directly by real observations and photographs of Siku at the Calgary Zoo, this piece celebrates his resilient spirit (orphaned young in the wild and now thriving in conservation care) and serves as a poignant reminder of the vulnerability of his species—polar bears are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, facing threats from climate change and habitat loss.
Signed by the artist (NYX '25), "Siku's Plunge" is a stunning tribute to wildlife conservation and the awe-inspiring beauty of the Arctic's apex predator. Ideal for collectors of large-scale nature art, conservation enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a dramatic, textured statement piece that brings the chill and thrill of the polar wilderness indoors.
"Rivo's Orange" is a captivating limited-edition original painting that celebrates the striking beauty and playful spirit of Rivo, a real black-and-white ruffed lemur residing at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.
Rendered in rich acrylics on a deep 2-inch gallery canvas (24" x 36"), this artwork bursts with life as Rivo perches confidently amid a lush canopy of vibrant green leaves and clusters of glowing golden oranges. His distinctive black-and-white coat—velvety black limbs and face contrasting with a dramatic white ruff framing his expressive amber eyes—takes center stage, creating a mesmerizing focal point against the verdant backdrop. The addition of oil paint layers introduces luxurious texture: the fluffy texture of his luxurious ruff, the subtle sheen on his fur, and the tactile dimension of the foliage and fruit all invite the viewer to reach out and touch.
Inspired directly by photographs of Rivo at the Calgary Zoo, this piece captures his curious gaze and agile poise as he navigates his arboreal world, surrounded by ripe citrus that echoes the lemur's natural frugivorous diet and adds a warm, sunlit glow to the composition. The interplay of deep shadows and luminous highlights brings depth and movement, evoking the endangered lemur's native Madagascan rainforest habitat while highlighting his charismatic personality.
As a limited-edition work signed by the artist (NYX '25), "Rivo's Orange" is both a tribute to wildlife conservation—black-and-white ruffed lemurs are critically endangered—and a vibrant, joyful statement piece that brings exotic energy and a touch of whimsy to any space.
Perfect for collectors of wildlife art, nature enthusiasts, or anyone drawn to the unique charm of these remarkable primates.
"Silent Hunter" is a breathtaking limited-edition original painting that captures the stealthy grace and raw power of a mountain lion (cougar/puma) stalking through a snow-laden winter forest. This one-of-a-kind masterpiece (limited edition 1/1) measures 36 inches high by 27 inches wide on a premium 2-inch deep gallery-wrapped canvas, offering a bold, ready-to-hang presence with deep dimensional impact—no frame required.
The majestic cat prowls forward in mid-stride, piercing green eyes locked on its unseen prey, muscles taut beneath a richly detailed tawny coat dusted with fresh snow. Surrounding evergreens are blanketed in heavy white, their branches glistening under a soft, diffused winter light, while delicate snowflakes drift through the air, adding an ethereal sense of quiet motion and isolation.
Primarily executed in acrylic for vibrant color fidelity and crisp detail, the work is enhanced with select applications of oil paint to build luxurious texture and subtle sheen across the fur, snow, and shadowed foliage. Thick, glossy black paint is layered into the tree trunks and branches, creating a striking contrast that makes the darkness feel wet, reflective, and almost alive. Genuine plexiglass "ice" elements are meticulously integrated into the snow-covered branches and foreground, catching and refracting light to mimic real frozen crystals—adding a sparkling, tactile realism that shifts beautifully under different angles and lighting.
A powerful statement piece blending wildlife realism, atmospheric winter drama, and opulent mixed-media craftsmanship, "Silent Hunter" evokes themes of solitude, primal instinct, and the serene beauty of nature’s apex predator. Signed "NYX" and dated '25. Ideal for collectors drawn to big-cat art, winter wilderness scenes, symbolic strength, and richly embellished fine-art originals.