Solitary Prowl, oil, 16 x 20"

Over the years the artist has worked in watercolor on paper and Aquabord but currently works with oil on canvas or Gessobord, which best suits her realist style. “I try to portray each of the animals in as realistic a manner as possible—the details of their feathers, the colors of their coats and the brilliance of their eyes,” says Mangelsdorf. “There is nothing so penetrating and expressive as an animal’s eyes, which is why I concentrate on faithfully depicting that captivating window into their world.”

Monsoon Coming, oil, 16 x 20"

In Solitary Prowl, a snow leopard embarks on a stealthy hunt. “The eye contact of this snow leopard is what drew me to paint this elusive big cat. His large, strong tail curves around toward his body to help keep him warm in the sub-freezing temperature and to help with his balance. The pose shows the solitary approach the snow leopard assumes when prowling his territory,” Mangelsdorf says of the piece.

Leonardo, oil, 24 x 36"

Paying homage to the wildlife and wild conditions of the desert, Monsoon Coming depicts a Harris’ hawk perched on a treetop under dark, stormy skies. “The Sonoran Desert is not known for an abundance of rainfall, but when the summer monsoon season breaks loose, rain can drench the arid landscape,” explains Mangelsdorf. “The ominous, dark monsoon clouds provided a perfect backdrop for this handsome Harris’ hawk. The hawk was perched on a cluster of brambles and flowering plants.” Detailing her technical process, she says, “After transferring the photo to my board, I painted the dark cloudy sky first and then painted the hawk being careful to portray his feathers realistically by layering. Lastly, I added the background bushes and Creosote blossoms.”

Stepping Out, oil, 20 x 16"

Whisker Ripples, oil, 20 x 16"

Mangelsdorf has taken workshops throughout the United States and locally at the prestigious Scottsdale Artists’ School. Current wildlife artists that inspire her include Robert Bateman, Greg Beecham and Dustin Van Wechel. She has won numerous awards nationally and internationally and is a member of the International Guild of Realism and Women Artists of the West.

Most recently, her work is featured in the Women Artists of the West 54th National Exhibitionat the Phippen Museum in Prescott, Arizona. Mangelsdorf is based in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

Arizona Gold, oil, 16 x 20"

“I’m fortunate to live in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert,” she adds. “Wildlife passes near my studio windows at almost any time of day. Hawks and owls nest nearby. Tiny Gambel’s quail chicks scurry after their parents. Javelinas, coyotes and even an occasional bobcat amble through the cactus and brush in search of their next meal. It is a magnificent place for a wildlife artist.” —