wildlife painting Archives | Teresa Bernard Oil Paintings

January 23, 2020August 24, 2020

The American Bison — Our National Animal

Size: 24″ w x 18″ h
Support: Gallery Wrap Stretched Canvas
Description: A wildlife painting depicting an American Bison out on the open range. This painting is composed on gallery wrap canvas, which means it does not need a frame because the painted composition extends around the edges of the canvas. Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the artist.

American Bison painting demo — Not to scale

Purchasing Information

$470

FREE shipping and handling within the U.S.A.

All transactions are handled via PayPal, a safe and secure way to make your purchase.

Artist Comments: In the summer of 2016, the same year the American Bison was officially declared America’s national mammal, we made a trip to Rapid City, South Dakota on a family vacation. While there we made it a point to visit Custard State Park where several herds of American bison roam freely. We just had to see these magnificent animals up close and we were not disappointed. As we drove through the park, we were privileged to watch a herd of the largest mammal in North American cross the road just a few feet a head of our vehicle. They simply took my breath was taken away. I was so tempted to exit the car and approach them, but that would not have been wise. They are massive wild animals that can become startled and behave aggressively to what they perceive is an approaching predator. Upon entering the park we were told to keep a safe distance and to be conscience of the fact this park is their home and we humans are the visitors, at least from the bison’s point of view. To this day bison are a favorite animal of mine and I’m simply amazed by them.

American Bison, Where Are They Today?

In the 1500’s there were an estimated 30 to 60 million bison living in North America. Today there are approximately 200,000 in all. They are considered endangered as a wild species and are being protected by the federal government. Bison live in all 50 states, including Native American lands, wildlife refuges, national parks and private lands. The top five states where bison can be found are: South Dakota (where the largest population is), Nebraska, Montana, Colorado, and Oklahoma. The largest herd of bison are in Yellowstone National Park where bison have continuously lived since prehistoric times. What makes Yellowstone’s bison herd so special is that they are pure blood descendants of the early bison that grazed on America’s grassy plains.

UPDATED: 24 August 2020

November 22, 2018August 20, 2020

Animals & Wildlife Paintings For Sale

Gallery quality original oil paintings of domestic and wildlife animals, and insects on stretched canvas.

Click on the thumbnail for more information about the painting.

American Bison Our National Animal By Teresa Bernard — 24″ w x 18″ h

Texas Longhorn In The Meadow oil painting — 20″ w x 16″ h

The Large White Dog pet portrait — 16″ w x 20″ h

Miniature Wildlife Art

Ladybug #1 – Hanging On Tight oil painting — 6″ w x 6″ h

Ladybug #2 – Almost Perfect Camouflage oil painting — 6″ w x 6″ h

TX Horned Toad Lizard (A.K.A Horny Toad) oil painting — 6″ w x 6″ h

monarch butterfly painting — 6″ w x 6″ h

To Purchase A Painting

If you would like to purchase one of the paintings above, click on the thumbnail image to navigate to the painting’s more information page. All transactions are handled via PayPal. This provides customers with a safe and secure way to purchase their paintings online.

Art Commissions

Not Finding What You Are Looking For?

Teresa is also a renown commission artist. She has done paintings for fellow art collectors and enthusiasts around the world. If you have a special painting in mind, she would love the opportunity to paint it for you. Simply follow the link for more information on how to commission a painting.

UPDATED: 15 August 2020

September 2, 2018August 18, 2020

The Texas Horned Lizard (a.k.a. Horny Toad)

Size: 6″ w x 6″ h
Support: Gallery Wrap Stretched Canvas
Description: Texas wildlife painting of the horned toad lizard, or horny toad as they are often called by native Texans. The painting is accompanied by an official Certificate of Authentication signed by the artist. The painted image extends around the edges of painting surface thus it will not require a frame before hanging.

TX horny toad painting demo — Not to scale

Purchasing Information

$150

FREE shipping and handling within the U.S.A.

All transactions are handled via PayPal, a safe and secure way to make your purchase.

Artist Comments: The Texas Horned Lizard, or simply “horny toad” as we called them when I was a kid growing up in west Texas, was a fun painting to do and it brought back lots of fond childhood memories. As children, my friends and I would see these little spiked critters all the time and often played with them for a while, then we would release them. As an adult I noticed they aren’t in abundance so much anymore. So I did a little research to find out why. This is what I discovered from my readings.

About 70% of the Texas horned lizard’s diet is made up of harvester ants. Through the years their population has declined by about 30%. Although, I’m happy to read, they may be making a comeback. The decline is due to the overuse of pesticides and the spread of nonnative fire ants. Both eradicate harvester ant colonies, destroying the lizard’s principal source of food. The Texas horned lizard is now a protected species, and, in Texas, it is illegal to take, possess, transport or sell them without a special permit.

According to Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine, issue August/September 2018, “Texas horned lizards once occurred throughout Texas, but now only a few populations remain. Efforts to move Texas horned lizards from one location in Texas to another, with the hope of establishing new self-sustaining populations in previously occupied habitat, are underway. Several Texas zoos are also working to develop colonies for reintroduction programs. RAWA (Recovering America’s Wildlife Act) funding would pay for “lizard factories” to help with reintroduction efforts.”

I shared a post about my findings on Facebook and received some interesting comments.

One friend whom I’ve known since my early teen years lives a small Texas town. She told me they have a horny toad festival every year called The Old Rip Festival. And it’s all about a horny toad named Old Rip! She sent me a link to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine website. It tells all about the legend, lore and legacy of Old Rip, a horny toad that supposedly lived for 31 years!

Another FB pal comments, “you still see these in West Texas and Panhandle. Fire ants haven’t taken over every inch of ground like they have here, and harvester ants are still there, so that helps with the “horny toads”. Hope they make a comeback here someday.”

Updated: 15 May 2020

September 21, 2016August 13, 2020

Ladybug #2 – Almost Perfect Camouflage

Size: 6″ w x 6″ h
Support: Gallery wrap stretched canvas
Description: This small 6×6 inch insect oil painting features a close-up of a red ladybug sitting on a red flower creating an almost camouflaged environment for itself. It comes with an official Certificate of Authentication signed by the artist. This work of art will not need a frame as it has been composed on quality gallery wrap canvas which allows the artist to paint around the edges of the painting.

Purchasing Information

$150

FREE shipping and handling within the U.S.A.

All transactions are handled via PayPal, a safe and secure way to make your purchase.

Artist Comments: This painting is of a lady bug sitting on a red flower and the ladybugs’ color is almost the perfect camouflage. I named it “Almost Perfect Camouflage” because the red color of the ladybug blends in so well with the flower he/she is sitting on. A natural predator would have to look very close to see it.

Where did they get their name? Are all ladybugs female? What do you call a ladybug that is a male? How can you tell them apart? All great questions!

The name ladybug is the common name for Coccinellidae, a Latin word meaning scarlet, and is the American name for the insect Europeans call the “lady beetle” or “ladybird beetle.” Whether you call them a ladybug, ladybird or lady beetle, the name is thought to have its origins in an old legend from Europe during the Middle ages.

Legend has it that the Europeans agricultural crops were being destroyed by pests, so Catholic farmers began praying to the Blessed Lady (the Virgin Mary) for help. Soon afterward they noticed tiny black and red beetles in their fields eating the unwanted pests. Their crops were miraculously spared the damage from the infestation. The farmers attributed their good fortune to the tiny insects which they called “the beetles of our Lady.” The red color of the beetle represents Mary’s cloak and the black spots her sorrows. Through the years they eventually came to be known as ladybugs.

Even though they are called lady bugs, they do come in both the male and female varieties, and both sexes are called the same thing… “ladybugs.” To the naked eye it is hard to distinguish the male from female ladybugs, although, females are larger than males. And that is hard to distinguish unless they are next to each other.

This painting is part of a series featuring a ladybug. The next ladybug painting in this series is Ladybug #1 — Hanging On Tight.

UPDATED: 16 May 2020

September 20, 2016September 11, 2020

Ladybug #1 – Hanging On Tight

Size: 6″ w x 6″ h
Support: Gallery wrap stretched canvas
Description: Close-up oil painting of a red ladybug hanging on tight to a leafy branch. Painting is accompanied by an official Certificate of Authentication signed by the artist. This work of art will not require a frame as the image extends around the edges of the canvas surface.

ladybug 1 hanging on demo — Not to scale

Purchasing Information

$150

FREE shipping and handling within the U.S.A.

All transactions are handled via PayPal, a safe and secure way to make your purchase.

Artist Comments: This painting is the first of two featuring a ladybug. I actually worked on both paintings at the same time, i.e. Ladybug #1 and Ladybug #2. I painted the ladybug series on six inch by six inch canvases. For such a small creature, I felt 6×6 was the perfect size. I love ladybugs and had been wanting to paint one (or more) for quite some time.

I came across a really good deal on some small canvases and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to buy 24 of them. When my shipment of 6×6 canvases arrived, I thought this was the perfect time to paint the ladybugs. Before these two particular paintings it had been quite some time since I last painted on such a small canvas. It was a lot of fun and it didn’t take any time at all to finish it.

Now About The Ladybugs!

Ladybugs are wondrous little creatures! They are sometimes called lady beetles or ladybird beetles. They most commonly come in the colors of red, yellow and orange which fades as the beetle gets older. Some species have black spots while others have black stripes and still others are a solid color with no markings at all. Their bright colors serve to warn birds they don’t taste good.

Surprisingly there are over 6,000 different species of this particular insect. They are beneficial insects because ladybugs eat other insects like aphids that often damage agricultural crops and garden plants. As such, ladybugs are often grown commercially and sold to farmers and gardeners.

The life cycle of a ladybug consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Depending on the species, female ladybugs may lay as many as 1,000 eggs from spring to early summer. It usually takes four days for their eggs to hatch.

The next painting in this series is Ladybug #2 — Almost Perfect Camouflage.

UPDATED: 13 August 2020

October 10, 2015September 26, 2020

Everyone Loves Wildlife Art

For centuries wildlife and animal art has been a favorite genre of artistic expression that attracts a huge following of artists and aficionados who love animals. In fact it is so popular, that art societies, exhibitions, competitions and galleries have formed which are devoted to the cause. Wildlife paintings are such a well loved form of wall art that fine artists and photographers have captured the beauty of animals out in the wild and nature for everyone to enjoy.

Everyone loves wildlife artwork and here are seven reasons why:

1. Animal art is easy to find and purchase. Since wildlife paintings are such a popular form of art, many artists have depicted animals in all forms of their wall art. As such, wildlife works of art are in abundance. It is easy to find such paintings by visiting art galleries, craft fairs, artist’s studios, home décor stores or online art websites.

2. Wildlife paintings look great hanging on the walls of your home or office. This genre of art goes well with just about any décor. It is a great way of bringing the great outdoors into your home and put on display for visitors and family to enjoy. Those who are physically challenged and can’t get outside as much as they would like will especially appreciate animal paintings as these will give them a sense of being outdoor.

3. Wildlife art is a great way to start a conversation. Animals are so interesting and there is such a variety of life in the animal kingdom you will never lack something to discuss. When visitors come calling your animal art can be a great way to get a good conversation going and keeping it going for hours. What a great way to pass the time!

4. If you are the type who loves to be out in nature with wildlife, then animal paintings are a great way to re-live and reminisce about memorable trips to the zoo, hunting trips, safaris or other adventures out into the great outdoors.

5. There is such a variety of creatures in nature that can be featured in paintings of wildlife. Mammals, fish, insects and birds. Among these can be domestic animals such as pets or livestock or wild animals. Animal artwork can be portrayed as realistic, abstract, cartoonish or anything in between. There is simply something for everyone, young or old, regardless of gender.

6. Many individuals enjoy having portraits painted of their favorite pets. Pet portraits are an excellent way to remember a beloved pet that has passed away and helps to keep his/her memory alive for years to come. Some just enjoy having a painting of their pet to adorn the wall of their home or office. Click for more information about how to commission a pet portrait of your pet.

7. Wildlife paintings make wonderful gifts because everyone loves wildlife art!

Additional Reading

Animals & Wildlife Paintings For Sale

UPDATED: 25 November 2018

December 20, 2014August 12, 2020

Texas Longhorn In The Meadow

Size: 20″ w x 16″ h
Support: Gallery wrap stretched canvas
Description: Part of the “Life in Texas” series, this painting of a common ranch animal often seen in the Lone Star State is called the Texas Longhorn. This painting is composed on gallery warp stretched canvas which allows the artist to extend the painted image around the edges of the canvas and will not need a frame before displaying. The artwork comes with an official Certificate of Authentication signed by the artist.

TX longhorn on the meadow demo — Not to scale

Purchasing Information

$410

FREE shipping and handling within the U.S.A.

All transactions are handled via PayPal, a safe and secure way to make your purchase.

Artist Comments: The Texas Longhorn is a common breed of registered cattle in Texas. They get their name from the breed’s characteristic long horns. Some sets of horns on these huge bovine can reach a span of 7 feet tip to tip. You simply have to see one these magnificent animals in person to really appreciate those massive horns. I live in East Texas and there are several longhorn ranches near our small homestead. I love driving past these places and seeing the longhorn grazing and resting in their pastures.

This painting is part of the Life in Texas Collection.

Some Fun Facts About Texas Longhorns

The Texas Longhorn is descended from the first cattle brought to America by Christopher Columbus that bred with native cattle. The breed consists of approximately 80 percent Spanish blood and another 20 percent of “mongrel” stock.
Texas Longhorns come in all colors and patterns and no two look exactly alike. Their coat pattern can be flamboyant and loud, while others are more subtle in color.
Both male and female Longhorns have horns, although they will vary in shape and length according to gender. Longer horns are more desirable. The longer the horns, the more valuable the cow or bull. Calves will begin to grow their horns by 3 weeks of age.
There are Texas Longhorn ranches all over America. They is easily adaptable to all temperatures from hot to cold climates. This breed of cattle has the ability to thrive in terrains and climates where other breeds have difficulty living.

UPDATED: 11 August 2020

July 14, 2013May 17, 2020

Raging African Elephant

Size: 18″ x 24″
Support: Stretched canvas
Description: A realistic painting depicting the wildlife of Africa. This specific animal is an African bull elephant. This painting sold to a private art collector in North Carolina.

SOLD: This African wildlife painting is sold. If you desire something similar artwork to this one or have something else in mind, do not hesitate to contact us, Teresa Bernard does art commissions. Click on the link for more information.

Painting has arrived. I am pleased to add it to my collection. Thank you. — H. Shaw, Winston Salem NC

Artist Comments: As an artist I’m always looking for good reference photos to paint from. Taking lots of photos myself is one way I get them. Others like to give me their photos to use as well. Using resources like this to paint from is something many artists do when they paint. Other artists like to paint on location, but will still take a photo of the scenery to take home with them. They use them to finish up their painting when they are back in their studio.

Several years ago some acquaintances of mine went on an African safari. While there, they snapped a photo of this elephant and emailed it to me. They thought I might like to use it as a resource photo for a painting. And they were right! I liked it so much I did this painting from it.

Some Interesting Facts About African Elephants

African elephants are native to Africa. They are characterized by having enormous flapping ears and ivory tusks. These magnificent creatures are the largest living land animal. Being hunted for their ivory tusks and their shrinking natural habitat have proven instrumental in these animals being placed on the endangered species list. Indeed, they are one of the most endangered species in all of Africa. In the 1980’s there were around 1 million African elephants roaming the plains of Africa, today the total population is less than 470,000.

UPDATED: 17 May 2020