Raphael

Named after the great Renaissance painter- Raffaello Sanzio

because we’re both influenced by chiaroscuro, which is an art technique that simply means “light to dark.”

A common theme within my wildlife paintings is the black canvas. It gives a nice strong contrast between the dark and the light. It’s also why I was originally inspired by David Whelan’s wildlife photography. He captures wildlife in such dramatic lighting that it really captures the essence and power of the creature. With my wildlife collection centering around boldness and strength, I wanted each painting to stand strong and powerful on its own as well. With the use of the black canvas and the use of chiaroscuro, I’m able to make it feel as if each animal is stepping out of the shadow and into the light. Making it that much more bold and beautiful.

As beautiful as this piece is on its own, it’s definitely more powerful with its partners by its side. Check out Leonardo the lion and Michelangelo the leopard and see why they’re the perfect trio.