Himbos in Hot Pursuit (2025) 18x24” Acrylic on Panel

This painting brings together two Malagasy natives: the panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) and the Brilliant Blue butterfly (Junonia rhadama). Both are found in Madagascar’s rainforests and coastal scrublands, where the chameleon moves slowly through branches while the butterfly flashes through clearings.

The piece focuses on the funny contrast between them — the chameleon’s clumsy lunge for a quick meal and the butterfly’s effortless escape. I kept the composition simple so the focus stays on their colors and the brief, almost comical moment of interaction.

Huge thanks to @kammerflagekreations for letting me use their chameleons Fiadanana and Flaming River as reference for this piece. Scrolling their feed offered so much in terms of really getting to know the anatomy of these amazing animals.