Walton Ford

Catena, 2012, 119 x 60 in
Watercolor, gouache, pen & ink
available

The detail and realism of Walton Ford mirrors the style of Audubon.  Similarity ends there.  Ford's animals assume human emotions and present serious social issues.  The tension of unnatural behavior of beautiful animals pushes emotions to depression and upset.  Diagonal line strengthens the emotion.

In Catena wolves march coldly, hypnotically, to their death or doom.  Each holding the tail of the one in front of, heads down and ears back, the wolves walk stoically toward the water, following the already submerged leader.  Unnatural, showing no excitement, no animal behavior, they send a chilling sadness to the viewer.

from Artnet.com & artspace.com