Guy Coheleach Biography

When it comes to painting big cats in action, Guy Coheleach is in a league by himself.  "I love painting tigers - I could do it for the rest of my life. I also love painting snow, and I love painting action impressionistically as in 'Siberian Pursuit'. Although there are  many subjects I enjoy painting, if a painting contains more of the things I like, the more fun I have and the better the end result. All kids like animals, so I guess in that respect I never grew up. In 'Siberian Pursuit', I've painted what I love to paint."
    But before he paints a predator, Coheleach has to have first-hand knowledge of the animal; knowledge derived from countless safaris and field trips. "The importance of doing any field work cannot be exaggerated. You can't do a painting of the predator/prey relationship - not a good one, anyway - unless you have seen animals hunting other animals up close . . . As an artist, you can paint the predator/prey relationship a great deal better if you've been in a hunting situation, or if you've had something chasing you . . .
    Coheleach knows what if feels like to be the object of pursuit. He has been charged by an angry elephant and chased by a wounded water buffalo; he's been eyed by a hungry pride of lions (who fortunately opted for antelope). Undaunted by such close calls, he is still exhilarated by gazing directly into the eyes of animals in the wild. For Coheleach, it is like seeing into their souls. His fascination with wild animals enable him to render more than an amazing likeness - Guy Coheleach captures their very essence.