It is no secret that I am a fervent admirer of big cats. I suppose that I identify with them as fellow predators. With their beauty and power, the big cats are such fabulous subjects that they make an artist's work easy - they make the artist look good.

These are Siberian tigers - a mother and her two cubs, which are about a month and a half old. As with puppies, the size of the cubs' paws indicates how large they will be at maturity. Siberian tigers are generally paler than tigers with more southern ranges, and they also have longer hair and longer legs. Tiger cubs remain with their mother for a long time, ususally about two years.

This is a painting of summer in a Siberian forest. I enjoy playing with light in a painting. It is very difficult, however, to use light correctly when painting a forest scene, mostly because there is not much of it in a forest. It is a challenge to get the light to look natural and very easy to have it look contrived.

Although these tigers look peaceful and domestic, Siberian tigers are one of the most ferocious species on Earth. In my first experience with a Siberian tiger cub, I was surprised to discover how vocal it was. Rather than surprising, it would probably be more accurate to say that the screaming, screeching and howling was terrifying.

- Guy Coheleach