Danielle Cowdrey — Wooly Mammoth — ArtCentre of Plano

2025, Acrylic on canvas, 12x12x.75 in. I paint nature as I wish to experience it—vivid, mysterious, expressive, and a little bit magical. My work begins with the natural world, but it rarely ends there. I am fascinated by the patterns, colors, textures, and movement found in animals and plants, and I use these elements as a starting point for creating fantastical interpretations of nature. Through acrylic and heavy-bodied acrylic paint, I build layers of texture and color that give each piece a sense of movement and dimension. I am not interested in simply reproducing what I see. I want to capture the feeling of wonder that comes from encountering something unexpectedly beautiful. Bold colors, exaggerated patterns, and expressive brushwork allow me to push familiar subjects beyond realism and into a world shaped by imagination. The work in this exhibition reflects my love of that intersection between nature and fantasy. They are celebrations of color, texture, and the freedom of nature.