It's often frustrating to see animals on nature hikes, because they almost always run away; one rarely sees them up close. What I paint is nearly impossible to see in the wild. In my scenes of nature, I like to share the experience of being within the intimate world of the animals - a little moment in paradise together with them. When I paint deer, I almost feel part of the herd. I could run with the herd, follow the white flag in front of me, jumping over obstacles. I feel the textures of the bodies of the animals in my mind - the soft, shiny nose; the smooth fur; the beautiful white tail. Of all the deer family, whitetails are by far the most beautiful. The way they run and jump is a delight to the eyes. For me, their eyes reflect all the beauty of wild nature. - CB