Why are we so infatuated with animals? I suppose we see ourselves in them, in a way. We project onto them our own emotions. Sometimes, their struggles become our own. I often ask myself why I like painting animals so much. The answer is fleeting, at best. I know that I am much more interested in painting wild animals than I am in painting domestic animals or pets. I think it's because our encounters with wild animals are so much more fleeting. I want to capture that moment and preserve it. Remember it. How special it seemed. As though, just for one moment, God was looking right at me and saying, "here is a gift." Whatever it is that keeps me painting the creatures of the desert, I know I am not done yet.
My newest painting of the desert cottontail:
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"Approaching." Oil on board, 10 x 8 inches. ©Karine M Swenson 2012.
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There is no telling if I may one day start painting domesticated animals and pets. I no longer say "I will never..." (I have proved myself wrong, one too many times.) But for now, I will stick to the wild things. Those creatures who come and go at their leisure. I will continue to try to capture those magic moments when I look out the window and see an unexpected visit from one of our tenacious desert creatures.
A few photos of animals in Germany: (these are nearly all domesticated animals.)
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This is a "lion's head rabbit." I have never seen anything like it before. So fat, compared to our little desert cottontails. |
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These rabbits were pets, and they actually had ROLLS, they were so fat. |
What animals most inspire you?
7 comments:
The most wonderful gift .... to be face to face with a wild creature... and you paint them so beautifully. I can feel the softness of the cottontail and can imagine the nose twitching. Stunning!
Oh I love them all! I could never pick. I do have a special place in my heart for coyotes and goats. I used to paint dogs and cats, long ago, but I no longer paint animals I am content with being around them.
This is a wonderful painting.
xoxo
You are the best painter of desert bunnies I know!
I love the rabbit painting, Karine... I think I saw it on FB the other day... it reminded me of a Holbein painting of a Durer engraving I just saw in Paris! (Yours is more... engaging... I think.)
Hi Annie - coyotes and goats! That's quite a disparate combination. But you probably weren't putting them together. Or maybe you were? I love them all too. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Robyn - nice to see you! Thank you for stopping by!
Cynthia - I hope to catch up with you a little bit soon.
Sherrie - what a wonderful compliment. Thank you. When were you in Paris? How cool!
Best bunny ever!!
Love the painting!
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