The most exciting facet of being a realistic wildlife artist is going into the field and gathering references for my paintings. Growing up on a farm in Connecticut afforded me the opportunity to explore, but it also gave me a wonderful opportunity to be close to numerous varieties of wildlife.

My first initiation to any kind of formal art training was in art college, and that’s when I first began to use pastels. My sophomore year, my oil painting, “Toy in the Attic” was well received and was selected for exhibit at the Yale University Art Gallery show. After graduating with honors, I moved to South Florida.

I work with pastels, oils and acrylics, and am a signature member of the Pastel Society of America; a member of the Master Circle of the International Association of Pastel Societies; a Member of Excellence with the Southeastern Pastel Society; and a member of the Pastel Society of North Florida. I am an associate member of the Oil Painters of America, and the Audubon Artists.

I have won many awards for my wildlife paintings, and many of them have been featured in gallery shows and museums exhibits around the country. I have also been published in several magazines in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Paintings © Deborah La-Fogg-Docherty, top to bottom: Let the Hunt Begin, 22x26; White Pelly Stretch , 34x28; Eyes of Youth , 9x12; The Nest , 9x12