Red Deer Stag and Hind Painting

With a love of the outdoors, wildlife and conservation, this work represents a perfect combination for me. This piece can be viewed in many different ways, not only to simply enjoy the beauty of Nature, but I hope it also shows something of the relationship between Wildlife and the environment it inhabits, dependent in many ways upon us, even in the wildest areas, to protect and at times manage the land and the animals in order to keep populations healthy. The painting was inspired primarily by the wonderful colours on display in the Autumn, and I wanted to paint something a little different from my usual detail, giving rise to the more impressionist backdrop. I always attempt to capture something of the character of the animals I paint, and the Red Deer featured in this piece are seemingly proud and aloof, totally alert to our presence in their environment, an environment which is a working one, managed and maintained, often on vast highland estates of the Scottish Highlands. It can be an emotive subject to talk about hunting and culling as a necessary tool in Nature Conservation, as it seems at first glance to go against the very essence of conservation itself, but in regions of the world, such as the UK, with no natural predators left, some form of regulation of the populations of the wild Red Deer herds is necessary to ensure the health and vitality of the animals and to effectively manage the habitat in which they live. This helps prevent overgrazing and allows natural re-generation of the native woodlands and forests. The moorland background allowed me to play with the subtle colours that adorn the hillsides at this time of the year, bringing a warmth to the background which contrasts with the spiky branches of the Gorse in the forefront, and behind which the main subjects of the painting, a proud Stag and Hind are stood, alert to the presence of the onlooker. Autumn brings with it a vast palette of warm earthy tones which I enjoy, and being out in the wilder areas is perfect to absorb some of these colours, noting the changes throughout the day in the rich tapestry of hues as light conditions vary. The original Acrylic painting features added texture in places and is painted on a Daler Canvas Panel, which is unframed. It will be securely boxed and packaged for shipment.