Featured image: Lophosaurus, Alyssa Valdez, 2023, oil, 11 x 12 in. / 27.94 x 30.48 cm.
Alyssa Valdez's 2023 oil paintings, Pongo, Ursus Maritimus, and Paguroidea, offer deeply moving and detailed depictions of wildlife, drawing attention to the beauty and vulnerability of each species.
Alyssa Valdez is a contemporary wildlife artist whose oil paintings highlight the beauty and vulnerability of animals. Her works focus on endangered species and overlooked creatures, combining detailed realism with emotional storytelling through unique compositions.
Her unconventional canvas shapes and masterful use of color and texture reflect the delicate balance of nature, while also engaging viewers in a conversation about conservation and the need to protect endangered and overlooked creatures.
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Pongo, Alyssa Valdez, 2023, oil, 19 x 12 in. / 48.26 x 30.48 cm.
Pongo captures a poignant moment in the life of an orangutan, resting against a background that blends into the animal’s natural habitat. The rich, earthy tones and textured fur give the painting a lifelike quality, yet it is the orangutan’s eyes that draw the viewer in. Its gaze is imbued with an emotional weight, perhaps reflecting the plight of its species in an increasingly endangered environment. The fragmented shape of the wood adds a layer of complexity, evoking feelings of confinement or separation, which may symbolize the orangutan’s struggle for survival.
Ursus Maritimus, Alyssa Valdez, 2023, oil, 21 x 13 in. / 53.34 x 33.02 cm.
Ursus Maritimus presents the majesty of the polar bear in profile, set against an expansive background of arctic waters. The calmness of the scene is juxtaposed with the underlying tension of the bear’s uncertain future due to climate change. Valdez’s use of light and reflection on the water creates a mesmerizing effect, while the polar bear’s fur is rendered in soft yet intricate detail. The irregular shape of the wood, which mimics the bear’s solitude in the icy wilderness, enhances the painting’s overall emotional impact.
Paguroidea, Alyssa Valdez, 2023, oil, 11 x 14 in. / 27.94 x 35.56 cm.
In Paguroidea, Valdez chooses an often-overlooked subject—a hermit crab—and transforms it into an artistic marvel. The vivid red of the crab contrasts sharply with the soft blues and purples of its shell and background, making it the focal point of the piece. The crab’s delicate limbs, meticulously detailed, seem to cautiously explore its surroundings, emphasizing themes of adaptation and survival. The triangular shape of the wood adds a dynamic element to the composition, reflecting the crab’s transient and constantly evolving existence.
Alyssa Valdez’s wildlife portraits are more than mere representations of animals; they are emotive narratives that speak to the fragility and resilience of the natural world. Her choice of unconventional canvas shapes, coupled with her meticulous attention to detail, allows each subject to transcend the boundaries of traditional wildlife art. Valdez’s work invites viewers to not only admire the beauty of these creatures but also reflect on the environmental challenges they face. Through her art, Valdez elevates the conversation about conservation, encouraging a deeper connection between humanity and the wildlife we share our planet with.
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Cathartes Aura, Alyssa Valdez, 2023, oil, 8 x 7.5 in. / 20.32 x 19.05 cm.
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