Fin and Fang

The Story Behind This Otter Painting

There’s something about certain animals that stays with you.

One of the earliest books I remember actually reading (not just for the pictures), was “Tarka the Otter” a classic story set in the rivers of Devon, following the story of the titular otter. That book was a gift from my grandmother, living in Devon, while I was growing up far away in South Africa. Ever since, otters have lived somewhere in the back of my mind, just out of reach, quietly fascinating me. There are many others, the countryside life of Britain has a magical charm that really called to me, but the playful energy of otters has a special place. Even with all the wonderful animals of the country of my birth, they call.

So now that I’ve moved over, and spend much of my time not far from the River Otter itself in Devon, England, which somehow makes it feel even more likely that I could - and more frustrating - that I haven’t yet seen one in the wild. I've sat for several hours on the banks, waiting, with quiet water, passing ducks, splashing fish, waiting, with that sense that something might surface… but not yet. Fingers crossed.

So instead, I've decided to paint them. This probably won't be the last.

A Wildlife Painting About Movement and Balance

This otter painting became a way of creating the encounter I’ve been waiting for.

An otter and a trout, locked in life's struggle, a fleeting, powerful moment showcasing how they are both elegant, and fierce. Their bodies twist and loop through the water, forming shapes that began to feel symbolic as the piece evolved. There’s something of infinity in it, something almost yin-yang-like… a balance between hunter and hunted, motion and stillness.

The circle of life, caught in motion.

The water itself became just as important as the animals. I wanted it to feel alive and turbulent, swirling, wrapping around them in vibrant movement. That swirl of water, as it seems to be inevitable in my work now perhaps, is a vibrant turquoise.

This piece also marks a shift in how I’ve been painting.

I’ve been exploring more palette knife work, especially in those early layers - building texture, letting the paint move more freely, and allowing a bit of unpredictability into the process. It creates a raw energy that feels closer to the wildness I’m trying to capture.
I love that texture it can pull out of nowhere. Though very little of that initial experiment remains, it shaped the flow of the water and composition. Ripples of that texture are captured in the depth of the paint layers visible.

Inspired by Wildlife, Travel, and the search for meaning and memories

I will always find myself coming back to certain animals in my work - otters, penguins, puffins. There’s a personality to them that’s hard to ignore.

I find a lot of inspiration from time spent travelling in my van, heading out in search of wildlife, and new landscapes. Not always finding what I’m looking for, but always coming back with something - an atmosphere, a moment, a feeling that eventually finds its way onto the canvas.

This otter painting feels particularly personal. Maybe because it circles all the way back to that first story. Or maybe because it represents that ongoing search - the things we don’t quite catch, but hold onto anyway.

Just like my unresolved desire to see a wild otter, the piece I hope leaves one to ponder the uncertain possibilities of the scene. Does the trout escape? Does the Otter win his meal? Do they go on and on in that struggle forever? Will I ever see them…

Collecting Wildlife Art Prints and Originals

The original “Fin and Fang” otter and trout wildlife painting is now available (currently unframed), along with beautiful reproduction fine art prints. (I’ve found a wonderful local print shop that I'm excited to work with)

Whether you’re an art collector, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply someone drawn to movement and nature, this piece is designed to bring a sense of energy and balance into a space.

If you enjoy wildlife art, you might also like my other works featuring puffins - or even consider a custom pet portrait commission, where I capture the character of animals a little closer to home. I hope you will follow my journey capturing all the animals that have inspired my imagination my whole life.

A Question for You

Have you ever been captivated by an animal you’ve never quite been able to see in the wild? Or something that you've come back to full circle like this story.

I’d love to hear what’s stayed with you.

…OR DO YOU KNOW WHERE I CAN BE GUARANTEED TO SEE AN OTTER (not a zoo, though those little hand hold windows do leave me making heart eyes)

Fin and Fang

Original Artwork Fin and Fang, 2026, Acrylic on canvas 12"x16",
Signed W Ruhlig. currently unframed

£430

30cmx40cm Art Print

Premium quality giclée print on archival paper. 30cmx40cm (11.8"x15.8")
£32
Prices are for UK orders. For International orders please contact me at hello@willandwhiskers.co.uk
Allow 5-7 business days for processing and delivery

Framed 30cmx40cm Art Print

Premium quality giclée print on archival paper. 30cmx40cm, Framed in white, (contact for other options) with clear acrylic face.
Ready to hang.
size is of the artwork not of the frame
£112

Fin and Fang Giclée Art Prints