Artist Erika Dos creates bold paintings that express her respect for wildlife and concern about fragility. Visit her website to see more of her work.
“Gluttonous Puffin” oil on canvas, 16″ x 20″
I’ve admired animals for as long as I can remember: their sounds, their colors, their quiet intelligence. As a child in Brazil, I would pick up a caterpillar just to watch how it moved. Even then, I felt there was a fine line between curiosity and intrusion. I learned to simply watch, not touch, and respect became one of the first lessons I truly understood.
“The Foxes of Sierra Nevada” oil on canvas, 24″ x 30″
From my window and along the road to work, I watched macaws flying in pairs over tall palms, hoping they would remain free. One of Brazil’s symbols, the blue macaw, is also among the most trafficked birds in the world. They form lifelong bonds and regenerate forests in South America by dispersing large seeds. Understanding this deepened my respect not only for their beauty, but for their essential role in nature.
“Blue Beauty” oil on canvas, 40″ x 40″
In 2022, after moving to the United States, I returned to painting following two decades in administrative roles. The memory of blue macaws inspired Blue Beauty. Experiencing the magical change of the seasons for the first time—frozen landscapes giving way to bursts of color and foliage—expanded my visual language. At the same time, I discovered professional opportunities in the art market that solidified my decision to pursue art as a career.
“Golden Horse” mixed media, 24″ x 36″
Animals and nature remain my most enduring source of inspiration, not only because they are beautiful, but because their existence is increasingly fragile. Wildlife is too often reduced to luxury goods, exotic dishes, cruelty masked as entertainment, or decorative captivity. Through my work, I seek to offer another perspective, one rooted in respect.
“Jaguar Swimming in Pantanal” oil on canvas, 20″ x 16″
My paintings center on rare or endangered species portrayed within their authentic habitats. I carefully research ecosystems, flora, and behavior, treating the environment and the animal as inseparable.
“The Secretary Bird” mixed media, 16″ x 20″
Color is intentional in every composition. I preserve natural palettes and use scale, layering, and subtle contemporary elements to create a poetic realism. I work with oil, acrylic, mixed media, and foil—integrating objects with purpose. Nothing is accidental. Every element has meaning, and a clear reason to exist within the painting.
“Lynx Reborn” oil on canvas, 24″ x 30″
At its core, my practice is an act of witnessing. I invite viewers to slow down and see wildlife not as possession, but as coexistence. A quiet concern runs through the work, that these paintings could one day become records of loss. By bringing animals into everyday human space, I use art to cultivate awareness, empathy, and respect.
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