Equal parts surreal and strange, Tiger Mom is an original oil painting that reimagines the everyday with a vibrant, dreamlike twist. Painted entirely from life, this piece captures a moment staged in a living room—complete with a live model and two life-sized, brightly coloured stuffed tigers. This original oil on canvas painting measures 24" x 36."
Rendered in rich, saturated hues of deep blue, bright orange, and warm magenta, the tigers lounge around the room with an uncanny presence, their plush forms blurring the line between wildness and whimsy. At the center, a composed figure anchors the scene, quietly evoking the spirit of a “tiger mom”—a term often used to describe a fiercely devoted, protective, and determined mother. But here, the concept is softened, reframed, and made playful: strength without severity, protection without pressure. There are many types of mothers!
The fact that the scene was painted from life lends it a tactile immediacy—you can almost feel the softness of the toys and the stillness of the space. The composition toys with expectations, asking viewers to reconsider what is real, what is symbolic, and where power truly lies.
Signed by the artist on the back of the painting. A certificate of authenticity is included with the purchase of this original painting.
This artwork is perfect for:
Art lovers, parents, collectors, and anyone who appreciates work that blends humor, heart, and meaning. A perfect statement piece for living rooms, creative spaces, or anywhere a little wild magic is welcome.
Vivid Companions is a love letter to imagination, motherhood, and the wild beauty that lives inside the quietest corners of home.
Artist's Note:
This painting began with a quiet moment in the model's living room—and a pile of vividly coloured stuffed tigers. I arranged them around a seated figure, curious to see how the wild might behave when made soft. What emerged from that setup surprised me: a layered portrait not just of a room, but of a dynamic I’ve seen again and again—especially in women, especially in mothers.
The term “tiger mom” often conjures a strict, intense image. But here, I wanted to explore a more nuanced take: the protective energy, the watchfulness, the strength that doesn’t have to roar to be felt. The tigers are stand-ins for that strength—bold, slightly absurd, tender but unmistakably present.
Every element in this piece was painted from life. That immediacy mattered to me. I wanted to honor the strange poetry of the scene as it unfolded in real time—the tension between the real and imagined, the animate and inanimate. The resulting work is both playful and contemplative, infused with quiet power and domestic surrealism.
Tiger Mom is a reflection on motherhood, memory, and the unexpected ways we protect and express love. Thank you for spending time with this original artwork.