J.R. HESS | 2ND PLACE
2025 ALL ANIMALS COMPETITION

Colorado-based wildlife artist, J.R. Hess, followed a long, roundabout road as he searched for his place in the art world. After high school he worked as a cell animator for Disney Studios and earned a degree in art, but he was still looking for something without knowing what it was.

Then he discovered Orcas Island, one of the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest, and his life changed. Living off the grid, he formed relationships with the indigenous people and began drawing the magnificent wildlife in the area.

“That’s where my love for wildlife was ignited,” Hess says. “I tracked bald eagles and studied orca whale pods that navigated the island. It was truly an amazing experience that I draw upon for inspiration to this day.” We talked with the award-winning artist about his life and work.

Why have you chosen colored pencils as your primary medium?

As a young artist, painting supplies were expensive, but paper and pencils were easy to come by. I’ve dabbled in many other media but find pencil and colored pencil the most rewarding for me, giving me what I hope to see in my art.

How did you choose your reference photo for “Awakenings?”

When choosing a reference photo to work from, I look for a certain energy I get from an animal. I always begin with the eyes. If I can capture that right, the rest comes down to good old technicality. The eyes hold the emotion of the animal and, for me, that’s the most important thing to convey.

Wildlife conservation and cultural preservation are very important to you. How do you address that and increase awareness through your artwork?

Recently, I’ve partnered with The Rocky Mountain Raptor Program (RMRP), a non-profit that works for the protection and conservation of raptors and their environment through rehabilitation, education, and research.

I also have had the pleasure of collaborating with Zero Skateboards to create the “Hess Nature Series” featuring my artwork on their skateboards. A portion of all proceeds are donated to the RMRP. The fun thing about this project is that nature and wildlife conservation reaches a younger demographic.

Cultural preservation through documenting and illustrating Native American culture is also important to me. The indigenous people of this country have an important story that must be remembered and told. Through my art, I hope to honor that story.

All artwork © J.R. Hess, shared with permission.