Trash Panda Painting

36" x 36" x 1.5" Original acrylic painting on stretched canvas.

Reference image is of Crystal the raccoon, from the Tows and Tails wildlife sanctuary. *Image used with permission.

Completed February 1, 2025.

Artistic statement about this piece:

“Trash Panda” is a painting about finding joy while living with disability. I was inspired by a raccoon named Crystal, who was paralyzed but still able to experience a wonderful life filled with experiences, sharing her positive energy and love with the world. I felt connected to her story, as I came to terms with a recent ADHD and anxiety diagnosis. I wanted to feel accepted for my disability, and to find happiness despite life’s constant challenges.

As part of my expressive animal portrait series, I wanted to share what the emotion of joy felt like, but also tell a story that can relate to a wider audience. Raccoons are sometimes called “trash pandas” because of how often they are seen collecting food scraps from waste bins. This title could be seen as derogatory or endearing, but because of the subject laying in a field of flowers I hope to show people this incredible animal from a new perspective. Created larger-than-life and an extremely detailed realistic portrait brings importance and relatability to an often overlooked creature. Perhaps encouraging the viewer to contemplate our own stereotypes of animals, and of each other.

I created this painting as a way to remind myself and inspire others to continue seeing the world wide-eyed and smiling. That real joy and acceptance is possible.

Materials:

Acrylic paint (Golden heavy body acrylic).

Stretched canvas (100% medium weight cotton duck canvas, primed with gesso. Kiln dried 1 1/2 inch thick stretcher bars made of solid wood. Back stapled. Hanging hardware on back with d-ring and wrapped steel wire.)

Archival materials, in order of application: Artist’s loft level 3 canvas, Golden acrylic paint, Golden isolation coat, Gamblin Gamvar satin varnish.

This artwork was included in the following exhibitions:

"How Do You Feel" Feature Artist Exhibit
March 1 - April 27, 2025
Loft Gallery, Sherwood Park AB

2025 Online Federation Showcase, Federation of Canadian Artists
April 1 - 30, 2025
Online, artists.ca

Journeys and Transitions Members' Exhibition
May 1 - June 21, 2025
Gallery @501, Sherwood Park AB

Joy: 37th Annual Members’ Exhibition
June 27 to July 12, 2025
Harcourt House, Edmonton AB

Community Art Rail Feature
January 4 - February 14, 2026
Enbridge Centre, Edmonton AB

'Imagine' FCA Edmonton Chapter Juried Exhibition
June 5 - 7, 2026
Parkallen Community League, Edmonton
Award: People's Choice