First Land
$895.00
Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
A single, powerful gesture—Pegasus caught mid-leap—gives this canvas an immediate sense of daring and motion. The horse’s muscular form is rendered with smooth, sculptural modeling that reads almost like a silhouette against a softer, clouded background, while its flowing mane and tail add a restless, wind-swept energy. Nearby, a raven mirrors the upward thrust, its dark shape both companion and guide; together they suggest companionship and a bold step into the unknown rather than isolation. Kosak’s layered fields of warm orange and cool gray create a dramatic but measured contrast that heightens the feeling of transition—earthbound weight easing into lift. Small bands of color at the edges whisper of the painting’s making, like a visual record of choices that led to this moment. The work feels like an invitation to risk and to trust the inner voice that urges you forward.
The Artwork
About Pegasus - Leap of Faith
Pegasus - Leap of Faith<br> MASTERWORK CANVAS EDITION
Craig Kosak’s meld of mythology and legend with modern spirituality is enhanced by the flawless fusion of abstract and realistic painting in his compositions.
“A true leap of faith is made when you don’t yet have the wings” says Kosak of Pegasus – Leap of Faith. “When I paint a myth or a legend everybody is familiar with, I look at it in a new way, read between the lines and find a new perspective. I’ve always felt that if realists want to be taken seriously, they must have something new to say. While this painting is inspired by my personal leaps, it depicts the archetypal story of those who follow their dreams, with an insightful trickster providing direction.
“I see ravens as a guide, encouraging me to accept my unique inner self. They exhort me to celebrate who I am rather than hide it. The horse is a combination of strength and sensitivity. Pegasus is also a symbol of wisdom and a source of a poet’s muse. Paintings can be a metaphor of either the dark or lighter side of our lives. I see my work finding a balance between the two.
“It took years to find my voice.” he says. “I combine the realistic observations, impressions and feelings of an outer world, the physical world through which we travel - with an inner world of self-discovery, the abstract and rule breaking part of my art. I use this inner vision to idealize, fantasize and anthropomorphize these insights.”
Kosak does not juxtapose his geometric and illustrative elements, rather he merges them together through layers of glazes, patinas and textures. Each painting features an Edge ribbon. The edge ribbon will have all the colors that are in the painting, a band added each time a new color is used. The edge ribbon is a record of the painting coming into being.
“My paintings are inspired by the natural world and the human condition. Most importantly I want to show the bond we have with other living creatures that share our planet.”
“A true leap of faith is made when you don’t yet have the wings” says Kosak of Pegasus – Leap of Faith. “When I paint a myth or a legend everybody is familiar with, I look at it in a new way, read between the lines and find a new perspective. I’ve always felt that if realists want to be taken seriously, they must have something new to say. While this painting is inspired by my personal leaps, it depicts the archetypal story of those who follow their dreams, with an insightful trickster providing direction.
“I see ravens as a guide, encouraging me to accept my unique inner self. They exhort me to celebrate who I am rather than hide it. The horse is a combination of strength and sensitivity. Pegasus is also a symbol of wisdom and a source of a poet’s muse. Paintings can be a metaphor of either the dark or lighter side of our lives. I see my work finding a balance between the two.
“It took years to find my voice.” he says. “I combine the realistic observations, impressions and feelings of an outer world, the physical world through which we travel - with an inner world of self-discovery, the abstract and rule breaking part of my art. I use this inner vision to idealize, fantasize and anthropomorphize these insights.”
Kosak does not juxtapose his geometric and illustrative elements, rather he merges them together through layers of glazes, patinas and textures. Each painting features an Edge ribbon. The edge ribbon will have all the colors that are in the painting, a band added each time a new color is used. The edge ribbon is a record of the painting coming into being.
“My paintings are inspired by the natural world and the human condition. Most importantly I want to show the bond we have with other living creatures that share our planet.”
Collector Details
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About the Collection
Craig Kosak is a renowned contemporary wildlife artist, known for his surreal animal paintings that blend nature with symbolic realism. His work often features ravens, horses, and other wildlife, infused with elements of modern mythology and spiritual storytelling. Kosak’s dreamlike nature scenes and bold color compositions create a sense of wonder and deeper meaning, making his art a fusion of abstract naturalism and fine art storytelling. His unique vision and expressive wildlife imagery have made his work highly sought after by collectors of contemporary and symbolic art.
Artist Signature
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This piece is artist signed and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Image Rights
Image copyright © 2026 by Craig Kosak.
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"Inspired by the wildlife and landscapes I encounter while travelling I return to my studio with insights about the natural world and about the human condition," says artist Craig Kosak. "Rather than faithfully documenting the flora and fauna, I strive to capture the feeling and emotions these trips provide. Each trip consists of both a journey through the outer world, and an inner journey of self discovery. These paintings are about both worlds and how they relate.
"Richly textured and developed using many layers of alternately opaque and translucent paint, strong graphic composition and bold colors combine to set the stage for realistically rendered animals, objects and landscapes. The subjects are integrated with abstract elements and expressive brushwork representative of the inner emotive world. I continue working until balance between both worlds is achieved and the painting comes alive.
"Stylistically, my work is grounded in realism, inspired primarily by the iconic images of painter N.C. Wyeth. I am, of course, painting about today s world and the modern paint handling of contemporary artists John Nieto and Nathan Oliveira have had significant influence in this regard."
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