Original Wildlife Art - drawings & paintings
Finished pieces, sketchbook studies, and occasional preparatory work. If you're interested in commissioning an original drawing or painting, reach out via email here. Sign up below for updates below on new offerings.
Kevin Sharkey, Executive Director of Design for Martha Stewart Brand, Home Design and Decor — “I am completely obsessed with bumblebees, so of course I fell instantly in love with Christopher Owen Smith's nature-inspired charcoal drawings. Smith's use of charcoal is what is truly unique about his work - it gives his drawings a somewhat smudged, almost messy quality that perfectly captures the fuzzy texture of bees' bodies and simultaneously works to blur their outlines, freezing their swift movements in time. Somehow, Smith captures exactly what I love about bees in his naturalistic but still playful prints; they are chaotic but beautiful, agile, and lively.”
Drawings
A larger-than-life honey bee navigates its way between flowers in a spontaneous, minimalist field of expressive floral structure that creates a sense of air and atmosphere—a bold snapshot that celebrates the strength and beauty of our beloved honey bees. Drawn in charcoal and graphite, the marks create a sense of movement while inviting close inspection of form, texture, and light.
300 lb natural white hot press cotton rag paper with deckle edges
20.5 × 26 inches
Original, signed on the front
Reach out via the Contact page with any questions you may have about this piece, drawing commissions or wildlife murals.
Often overshadowed by the bright yellow breeding plumage of the male, the female American Goldfinch has a quieter elegance. This original graphite and charcoal drawing celebrates the subtle beauty of one of North America's most familiar backyard songbirds, resting on fresh vine growth. Part of The Aviary collection.
Original graphite and charcoal drawing
270 gsm (100 lb) acid-free paper
8 × 10 inches
Reach out via the Contact page with any questions you may have about original work, drawing commissions or wildlife murals.
Charcoal drawing of the native botanical workhorse, Echinacea purpurea. This study explores the stillness of a midsummer stand of coneflowers with soft charcoal passages and expressive mark-making. Part of The Hive collection.
Original charcoal drawing
270 gsm (100 lb) acid-free paper
11 × 14 inches
Signed on the front
Charcoal, graphite, and photography on heavy weight cotton rag and polypropylene papers
300 lb natural white hot press cotton rag paper with deckle edges
8 x11 inches, 12.75 x16.25 inches in solid maple frame.
Original, signed on the front
Framed in solid maple
Curious and alert, the Black-capped Chickadee is a familiar backyard visitor known for its lively personality, and this one is no different, perched on a little makeshift garden stake when no one is looking. Part of The Aviary collection.
Original graphite and charcoal drawing
270 gsm (100 lb) acid-free paper
8 × 10 inches
Mixed media: charcoal, graphite, archival pigment ink, antique pie tin.
300 lb natural white hot press cotton rag paper with deckle edges
8 × 10 inches, 15.5 × 12.25 inches framed in solid maple
Original, signed on the front