Erika Dos Creates Wildlife Paintings Rooted in Respect for Endangered Species

Erika Dos, an artist originally from Brazil now based in the United States, produces bold paintings focused on rare or endangered animals within their authentic habitats. Her work, which includes pieces like 'Gluttonous Puffin' and 'The Foxes of Sierra Nevada,' employs oil, acrylic, mixed media, and foil to achieve a poetic realism that preserves natural palettes. Dos's childhood experiences in Brazil, where she observed creatures like caterpillars and macaws, instilled a deep respect for wildlife, shaping her artistic approach. She emphasizes intentional color, scale, and layering in compositions where every element holds meaning, aiming to foster awareness and empathy. In 2022, after two decades in administrative roles, she returned to painting, inspired by memories of blue macaws and the seasonal changes in the U.S., which expanded her visual language. Her paintings, such as 'Blue Beauty' and 'Jaguar Swimming in Pantanal,' address the fragility of nature, critiquing practices like wildlife trafficking and decorative captivity. Dos invites viewers to see animals not as possessions but through coexistence, with a quiet concern that her art might one day serve as records of loss. She promotes her work on social media platforms including LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.