The Tender Power of Wildlife Love
A quiet reflection on the moments that move me most.
In a world where so much feels loud and fast, I find myself drawn to the quiet things. The gentle things. The moments that whisper instead of shout.
That’s why I keep coming back to the same themes in my art—mother-and-cub moments, mated pairs resting close, siblings curled up in peaceful connection. These scenes are simple. Soft. Often overlooked. But to me, they carry more weight than any dramatic pose or wild action shot ever could.
Because there is a tender power in love.
Especially in the wild.
Love, in Its Wildest and Purest Form
When I draw a mama bear nuzzling her cub, I’m not just trying to recreate a scene—I’m honoring a universal feeling: the instinct to protect, to comfort, to hold close what matters most. It’s a kind of love that transcends species, time, or terrain.
Whether it's a fox curled around her kits or a lion grooming her cub, these scenes echo something deeply human. And I think that's why they resonate with so many people who see my art. They remind us of the bonds we've felt in our own lives—of being cared for, of caring for someone else, of belonging.
The Beauty of Connection
There’s something profoundly moving about seeing two animals—whether they’re mates, siblings, or parent and child—choosing closeness. Not out of necessity, but out of affection. That quiet snuggle. That shared gaze. The trust in leaning against another’s warmth.
These are the moments that bring me to stillness. They’re the moments that make me pause mid-drawing with a lump in my throat because they feel like love. Real, present, honest love.
And that’s the kind of energy I want to fill my art with.
Why It Matters to Me (And Maybe to You, Too)
The world can be harsh. We all carry hurts, losses, and stories we don’t always speak aloud. But when you see a peaceful bear family, or a puppy laying its head in its sibling’s lap, something softens. You remember the good things—the moments that comforted you, the people (or animals) who showed up with love when you needed it most.
I believe wildlife art can be more than beautiful—it can be healing. It can remind us of connection, of presence, of the simple miracle of being close to someone you love. Even if that “someone” has fur and paws and lives in a forest.
A Tender Purpose
So I draw the moments that feel like a hug.
The ones that say, “I’ve got you.”
The ones that don’t need words.
Because in a world that moves fast, I want my art to be a pause.
A breath. A reminder that tenderness is strength, and that love—wild, instinctual, unpolished love—is one of the most powerful forces we’ll ever know.
With heart,
Nancy