Ancient Guardian

Carrie, having painted the stag in such a large scale, wanted the piece to mirror their real-world presence. “Ancient Guardian is simply right there with its captivating presence,” she says. Carrie also wanted to emphasize how the background colors move around the animal in the painting, the same way they might naturally shift in the real world. Using this piece to explore how humans exist alongside wildlife, Carrie aimed to encourage people to appreciate the natural flora and fauna even more. She best explained, “It is special and we can learn so much from nature… and if we’re lucky enough, then we can see an animal emerge, living alongside us. They are only there for just a moment, and then they’re gone.”

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 36″W x 60″H
Artist: Carrie Penley