“Shadows of the Past” revisits an idea first imagined nearly 30 years ago.

Originally inspired by a 1996 painting, this new work features a mature whitetail buck standing against the rustic character of an abandoned prairie homestead. The concept returned to me after spotting an old weathered shack glowing in warm evening light along the edge of a snow-covered landscape near one of my favourite hunting areas.

Using carefully gathered wildlife studies and reference photography, I set out to recreate the emotion and atmosphere of the original idea with the experience I’ve gained over decades working in oils.

Rooted in memory, time, and a lifelong admiration for the whitetail deer, “Shadows of the Past” reflects both the landscape and the journey behind the painting itself.

~Des McCaffrey

Oil on Hardboard

30 x 40 inches

$12,000