In nature, the moments that pull at my heart are rarely the grand or dramatic ones – they are the quiet pauses, the fleeting instances when a wild creature settles down but remains completely alive to every rustle around it. That subtle balance between stillness and wild instinct is what inspired my watercolor study, Hunter’s Lounge – Wolf Pup. In this young wolf, there is a gentle curiosity, yet you can already catch a glimpse of the keen, watchful predator he will grow to be.

To bring that feeling into the piece, I built the painting up slowly using thin, layered watercolor glazes on museum board. Working this way allows me to render the soft, fine depth of his pup coat while keeping that luminous, spontaneous quality that makes watercolor so special, holding on to that low-lit, watchful atmosphere.

I am so honored that Hunter’s Lounge was selected for the Artists for Conservation Festival this September 24-27 at the VanDusen Botanical Gardens in Vancouver. Being part of an international community of artists who share a dedication to preserving wildlife and wild spaces is deeply meaningful to me. Through these painted observations, I always hope to invite a moment of quiet connection and reflection.

If you find yourself in the Vancouver area this month, I hope you have the chance to wander through the exhibition and spend a gentle moment taking in all the extraordinary works on display.

Hunter’s Lounge – Wolf Pup, 14×17″, opaque & transparent watercolor on museum board, Rebecca Latham, Artists for Conservation Festival 2026, VanDusen Botanical Gardens, Vancouver, BC