Whispers from the Wild celebrates the immeasurable and mysterious benefits of spending time in nature—the clarity, purpose, power, connectedness that emerge when we immerse ourselves in the wild. These oil paintings feature primitive landscapes: winding paths beneath dancing oak limbs, intricate shadows cast on forest floors, the towering pines of Georgia, the colorful brush layers of Grayton Beach, the swamps of Georgia, and my bestie’s beach house on Florida’s Forgotten Coast.

In my early career, I painted delicate butterflies and birds, creating conservation materials to highlight nature’s beauty and fragility. Over time, I felt a growing need to move beyond the gentle and serene. After painting countless songbirds and soft, quiet creatures, it felt exhilarating—necessary—to celebrate the fierce jaguar.

The painting that defined and launched this collection was inspired by a striking image: a jaguar seizing a caiman’s head in her jaws while locking eyes with the camera. Taken by Ian Ford—2024 Wildlife Photographer of the Year (Highly Commended for Deadly Bite) and Sony World Photography Awards winner—the photo stopped me in my tracks. In that moment, something shifted. My own hunt became clear. My focus sharpened.

Jaguars, like so many wild creatures, need our protection. Their power is undeniable, yet their existence remains precarious. I hope the viewer feels not only the joy and repose of nature but also the fierce spirit of the jaguar—a reminder that strength and vulnerability can coexist in the wild.