Painted to celebrate my time working with tigers at Carolina Tiger Rescue, this Malayan tiger is a reflection of my admiration for these animals and my hope that one day all tigers can live where they belong—in the wild.
 
I wanted the painting to capture some of the power and beauty of the tiger without making it feel overly polished or predictable. The loose brushwork is under polished and is part of my attempt to keep the animal feeling alive rather than simply recreating its appearance.
 
For me, the painting is ultimately about freedom. As much as I came to care for the tigers I worked with, I couldn't help wishing that every one of them could experience the life they were meant to have in their natural habitat.