Powerful Force - Bighorn Sheep - painting by Johanna Lerwick photographed by Mitch Rossow

Johanna Lerwick — Paintings Photographed by Mitch Rossow

Wildlife Realism in Oil

Johanna Lerwick is a wildlife realism painter based in upstate New York whose subject matter runs to predators and large mammals — wolves, snow leopards, bighorn sheep, grizzlies, cougars, lynx. Her interest started on a family farm and expanded outward through travel to Africa, the Amazon, Guam, Mexico, and Tahiti, photographing animals in their natural surroundings to ensure the accuracy her paintings require.

She works in oil, building up layers to achieve the density of fur and using fine brushwork for feathers and whiskers — the kind of surface detail that rewards close looking and demands equally careful photography. Her choice of composition is deliberate: in most of her work, the animal’s eyes direct the viewer’s attention beyond the canvas, leaving a question open.

“With every painting I strive to capture the beauty of each animal and hope to visually convey why these amazing creatures deserve to continue sharing this world with us. Each of us has the ability to make a difference — mine is through my art.” — Johanna Lerwick

Johanna donates proceeds from select works toward animal conservation and wildlife education programs.

Signature Member, AFC — Artists For Conservation
Associate Member, WAOW — Women Artists of the West
Associate Member, AWA — American Women Artists
Member, International Guild of Realism

Johanna Lerwick’s website

Johanna sends work from upstate New York — wildlife realism with layered fur texture and fine surface detail that has to be captured right to serve her collectors and conservation partners. Schedule your own session →

Johanna Lerwick

Johanna Lerwick