Canadian Artist Graham Watts
Vancouver & Whistler, BC
Call (604) 200-0170
Canadian Wildlife Artist Graham Watts
Expressive original oil paintings of grizzly bears, wolves, eagles and Canadian wildlife by Vancouver artist Graham Watts
Original Canadian Wildlife Paintings in Oil
Graham Watts is a Canadian wildlife artist based in Vancouver, British Columbia, known for expressive oil paintings of grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, eagles, elk, polar bears and other animals connected to Canada’s wilderness.
His wildlife paintings combine bold colour, layered texture, dramatic light and a touch of realism. Rather than simply reproducing an animal’s appearance, Graham looks for the personality, strength and emotional presence that make each encounter with wildlife memorable.
Wildlife Subjects Featured
Canadian Wildlife Paintings Inspired by a Love of the Outdoors
Wildlife has always fascinated me.
Living in British Columbia and spending so much of my time skiing, hiking and exploring the mountains has given me a deep appreciation for the animals that share these landscapes with us.
I am particularly drawn to the eyes and expressions of wildlife. A grizzly can appear immensely powerful and surprisingly thoughtful at the same time. A wolf can communicate alertness and intelligence with a single look. An eagle has a presence that immediately commands attention.
Those are the moments I want to capture.
I begin with something recognizable, but I am not trying to reproduce a photograph. My paintings use expressive colour, dramatic contrasts, glazing, layered oil paint and physical texture to interpret the character of the animal.
My goal is to create a connection between the viewer and the wildlife looking back from the canvas.
Grizzly Bear Paintings
Bears have become one of the most important subjects in my wildlife art.
I am fascinated by the contradiction they represent: extraordinary physical power combined with intelligence, curiosity and individuality.
My grizzly bear paintings often place the animal’s face and eyes at the centre of the composition. I use strong contrasts, unexpected colour and detailed brushwork to create a sense of presence—as though the bear is sharing the space with you rather than simply appearing in a wildlife scene.
Original grizzly bear paintings have included works such as Vibrant Majesty, Grizz, Spirit of the North, Felix and Good Luck Bear.
That balance between recognition and interpretation is central to my approach to Canadian wildlife art.
If you are interested in a grizzly bear original that is currently available, you can browse my current original painting collection.
Black Bear Paintings
Black bears are equally fascinating subjects.
Their darker coats create a very different painting challenge because the fur is never simply “black.”
Depending on the light, I may see blues, browns, violets, warm reflected colour and subtle changes in value throughout the coat.
Those variations help create form and prevent the animal from becoming a flat dark shape on the canvas.
One of the things I enjoy most about wildlife painting is discovering just how much colour exists in subjects that initially appear monochromatic.
The same idea runs throughout my oil painting process, where colour relationships are often more important to me than trying to identify one supposedly correct colour.
Wolf Paintings
There is something very different about painting a wolf.
Wolves have an extraordinary combination of strength, awareness and intelligence. Their eyes can become the emotional centre of a painting.
In works such as Luminous Guardian, I use layers of oil colour, light and texture to emphasize that quiet intensity.
My wolf paintings are intended to celebrate the animal rather than portray it simply as a symbol of wilderness or danger.
That combination of realism, colour and interpretation is something you can also see throughout my original painting collection.
Eagle Paintings
Few animals are as immediately recognizable in Canadian wildlife as the bald eagle.
I am drawn to the eagle’s intense gaze, powerful form and unmistakable presence. When I paint an eagle, I often simplify the surrounding environment so that the viewer’s attention stays with the animal.
Works such as Spirit of an Eagle explore that combination of strength, freedom and stillness.
Bears, Elk, Polar Bears and Other Canadian Wildlife
My wildlife collection extends beyond grizzlies, wolves and eagles.
Over the years I have painted black bears, polar bears, Rocky Mountain elk, salmon and other animals connected to the landscapes and wilderness of Canada.
Each subject presents a different challenge.
The heavy form and warm fur of a grizzly require a different approach from the cool light surrounding a polar bear or the antlers and profile of an elk.
What connects them is my interest in portraying wildlife as individual living creatures with presence and personality.
Why I Paint Canadian Wildlife
I think many Canadians feel an emotional connection to wildlife even when we don’t encounter these animals every day.
They are part of how we imagine this country.
Bears, wolves, eagles and elk are connected to our mountains, forests, rivers and wilderness. For me, painting them is partly about preserving that feeling of wonder.
I don’t want my wildlife paintings simply to say, this is what a bear looks like.
I want them to remind us what it feels like to encounter something genuinely wild.
There is respect in that experience.
My hope is that a painting can bring a little of that connection into someone’s home and perhaps remind us that these animals are not simply symbols of Canada. They are our wild neighbours.
I explore this idea in greater depth in my article Wildlife Artist: A Message of Wonder and Respect.
How I Create My Wildlife Oil Paintings
Every original wildlife painting is painted personally by me in oil on canvas.
A painting usually begins with the eyes and overall composition. I consider where the animal will sit within the canvas, how close the viewer should feel to it and where the strongest areas of light and colour should appear.
From there, I gradually build the painting using layers of oil colour.
Some areas may be relatively smooth and carefully glazed. Others use thicker paint and more visible brushwork or texture.
Colour plays an important role in my work. Although the animal remains recognizable, I am not restricted to the colours found in a photograph. Blues, violets, reds, golds and unexpected warm-and-cool contrasts can help communicate light, movement and emotion.
Some of my larger original paintings can require many weeks of work and, in particularly detailed pieces, close to 100 hours to complete.
The result is a one-of-a-kind painting carrying the individual marks and decisions that went into its creation.
Original Canadian Wildlife Art for Your Home
Original wildlife art can create a powerful focal point in a room.
A large bear or wolf painting has enough visual presence to anchor a living room, entrance, office, mountain home or contemporary interior without requiring the rest of the space to follow a wildlife theme.
Collectors often choose a particular animal because it means something personally to them.
Sometimes it represents Canada or British Columbia. Sometimes it recalls an encounter in the wilderness, a favourite place, a family story or simply a lifelong connection with a particular animal.
That personal connection matters more to me than whether a painting perfectly matches the furniture.
If you love the painting, that is usually the best place to start.
VIEW AVAILABLE ORIGINAL WILDLIFE PAINTINGS
Commission a Custom Wildlife Painting
I also accept selected commissions for original wildlife paintings.
A commission can begin with an animal that has particular meaning to you, a wildlife encounter, your own photograph or an idea we develop together.
The process usually includes discussing the subject, canvas size, composition, reference material and where the finished painting will be displayed.
I provide updates as the painting develops so that the collector can experience part of the creative process.
Because oil paintings need adequate drying time before they can be safely delivered or shipped, commissions should be planned well in advance when they are intended for a birthday, anniversary, retirement or other special occasion.
LEARN ABOUT COMMISSIONING A PAINTING
CONTACT GRAHAM ABOUT A WILDLIFE COMMISSION
Original Paintings and Limited Edition Wildlife Prints
Collectors can choose from original wildlife paintings and selected limited edition fine-art prints.
Original Wildlife Paintings
Each original is a one-of-a-kind oil painting on canvas, painted and signed by Graham Watts.
Originals provide the full physical character of the artwork—the layered paint, texture, brushwork and subtle variations in colour that can only be experienced in the original canvas.
Limited Edition Wildlife Prints
Selected paintings are also available as signed and numbered limited edition prints.
These provide another way to collect Graham’s wildlife artwork when an original has already sold or when a different size or price point is more appropriate.
SHOP ORIGINAL WILDLIFE ART
EXPLORE LIMITED EDITION PRINTS
About Canadian Wildlife Artist Graham Watts
Graham Watts is a Canadian oil painter based in Vancouver, British Columbia.
His work is inspired by the wildlife, mountains and communities of Canada’s West Coast, particularly Vancouver, Whistler and the Sea-to-Sky corridor.
Graham’s paintings combine expressive colour, layered texture, dramatic light and recognizable subjects. His work includes Canadian wildlife paintings, British Columbia landscapes, Whistler mountain and ski scenes, and atmospheric Vancouver cityscapes.
He is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, and his work has been exhibited in galleries, exhibitions and events throughout British Columbia. His paintings are held by collectors in Canada, the United States and internationally.
ABOUT GRAHAM WATTS
VIEW EXHIBITIONS & GALLERIES
Frequently Asked Questions About Canadian Wildlife Art
Who is Graham Watts?
Graham Watts is a Canadian wildlife and landscape artist based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He creates original oil paintings inspired by Canadian wildlife, Whistler, the Sea-to-Sky corridor and Vancouver.
What animals does Graham Watts paint?
Graham paints grizzly bears, black bears, polar bears, wolves, bald eagles, elk, salmon and other wildlife. Bears are among the most recognizable subjects in his Canadian wildlife paintings.
Where can I buy Canadian wildlife paintings?
Original wildlife paintings by Graham Watts can be purchased through his online art shop, and selected works can be viewed in person in Vancouver. Available paintings may also appear at exhibitions and selected gallery locations.
VIEW WILDLIFE PAINTINGS FOR SALE
Does Graham Watts paint grizzly bears?
Yes. Grizzly bears are one of Graham’s primary wildlife subjects. His bear paintings include Vibrant Majesty, Grizz, Spirit of the North, Felix and other original oil paintings.
Can I commission a wildlife painting?
Yes. Graham accepts selected wildlife commissions. Collectors can discuss the animal, canvas size, composition, reference images and story behind the proposed painting directly with Graham.
Are Graham Watts’ wildlife paintings originals?
Graham’s original wildlife paintings are individually hand-painted in oil on canvas and signed by the artist. Selected paintings are also reproduced separately as signed and numbered limited edition prints.
Does Graham sell wildlife prints?
Yes. Selected wildlife paintings are available as signed and numbered limited edition fine-art prints.
Does Graham ship artwork outside Canada?
Yes. Artwork can be shipped to collectors outside Canada. Shipping arrangements depend on the size, destination and type of artwork being purchased.
Can I see Graham Watts’ wildlife paintings in Vancouver?
Yes. Selected artwork can be viewed in Vancouver, depending on current gallery and exhibition locations and the availability of the particular painting. Private viewing arrangements may also be possible.
What makes Graham Watts’ wildlife paintings different?
Graham combines recognizable wildlife with expressive colour, layered oil paint, texture and dramatic light. Rather than trying to reproduce a photograph exactly, he focuses on the personality and emotional presence of the animal.
Explore Canadian Wildlife Paintings
From the quiet intensity of a wolf to the enormous presence of a grizzly bear, Canada’s wildlife continues to provide me with subjects I never seem to tire of painting.
Every original begins with that same goal:
Create something recognizable, but capture more than appearance.
I want you to look into the animal’s eyes and feel something looking back.
If a painting makes someone stop for a moment and look into the eyes of a bear, wolf or eagle a little longer than they expected, then something has happened between the viewer and the animal.
For me, that is where wildlife art becomes meaningful.
VIEW AVAILABLE ORIGINAL PAINTINGS
EXPLORE ORIGINAL CANADIAN PAINTINGS
EXPLORE BRITISH COLUMBIA LANDSCAPE ART
READ ABOUT WONDER AND RESPECT IN WILDLIFE ART