Raging Bulls
$1,450.00
Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
A line of zebras bending together at the water’s edge creates an immediate sense of shared purpose and quiet intimacy. The warm, late-day light—rich ambers and soft golds—lifts the black-and-white stripes into subtle bands of color, so the patterning reads as both distinctive and harmonized across the herd. You can feel the steady rhythm of their heads lowering, a communal gesture repeated across the horizontal format, while the reflected ripples in the water add a gentle, breathing motion that keeps the scene alive. The panorama-like width emphasizes togetherness: no single animal dominates the view, which reinforces the idea of family and social connection suggested by their close spacing. Small details — the soft highlights along ears and backs, the dark silhouettes of grasses at the bank — anchor the composition in a real place and time without becoming fussy. Overall, the work offers a calm, reassuring moment from the savanna, where pattern, light, and companionship combine to produce both visual beauty and a quiet emotional pull.
The Artwork
About Waterline
Waterline<br> MASTERWORK CANVAS EDITION
The zebra, like most members of the horse family, is a highly social animal. Mountain zebras and plains zebras form family groups that will remain together for a lifetime, grazing, migrating and stopping to drink together. Joshua Spies has captured a family of zebras in the magnificent light of an African sunset on the Waterline.
Although based in South Dakota, Joshua Spies has a world of wildlife experience under his belt. His frequent trips across North America and into Africa have supplied him with an entire animal kingdom’s worth of subjects. “On a recent safari to South Africa I took over 2,500 photographs!” says Spies. “Many times these photographs not only help with detail, light and color, but are the inspiration for a new work. I really look forward to doing something new and challenging in each new creation!”
Although based in South Dakota, Joshua Spies has a world of wildlife experience under his belt. His frequent trips across North America and into Africa have supplied him with an entire animal kingdom’s worth of subjects. “On a recent safari to South Africa I took over 2,500 photographs!” says Spies. “Many times these photographs not only help with detail, light and color, but are the inspiration for a new work. I really look forward to doing something new and challenging in each new creation!”
Collector Details
What to Know About This Piece
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About the Collection
Joshua Spies' contemporary realism captures surreal landscapes and hyper-realistic figures that evoke a profound emotional depth. His paintings blur the lines between reality and dreamlike imagery, where light and shadow play an essential role in creating atmospheric art that transports the viewer to otherworldly realms. Spies' figurative realism emphasizes the subtle details of human emotion and the environment, using vivid color palettes to enhance the narrative within each piece. His work invites viewers to explore the complexity of human nature and the surreal beauty of the natural world, combining dramatic realism with modern surrealism to create visual storytelling that is both haunting and captivating. Through his illusionary art, Spies pushes the boundaries of what is possible in both realism and abstraction.
Artist Signature
Signed by the artist
This piece is artist signed and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Image Rights
Image copyright © 2026 by Joshua Spies.
Authorized Source
Authenticity & Documentation
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Limited-edition artwork includes a Certificate of Authenticity when one is issued by the artist, publisher, studio, or authorized source. Open-edition pieces may not include a certificate; this does not affect their authenticity. The Collection Shop sources artwork through artists, publishers, authorized distributors, galleries, and other approved channels. Any additional documentation included with this specific piece will be noted above.
This young artist has had the example, encouragement, and help of some of America's best and most well known wildlife artists.... Terry Redlin, Terry Isaac, and Paco Young, among so many others have watched and encouraged Spies' career.
He is a Life member of Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Pheasants Forever, a Heritage Sponsor of Ducks Unlimited, and a member of the Safari Club International, National Turkey Federation, and the NRA.
Spies is one of six artists throughout the country selected for the 2003 Ducks Unlimited National Art Package, and was also a finalist in the 2003 DU International Artist of the Year competition. His art was selected for the 2002 and 2003 Pheasants Forever National Art packages, and his painting "Annual Descent" was awarded People's Choice Winner in 2002 at the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep National Convention. Spies was also a finalist in two Federal Duck Stamp Competitions and recently placed first place in the 2003 SD Duck Stamp Competition. His painting, "Last Glance - Dall Sheep," received the People's Choice Award and the Artist of the Year Award at the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep National Convention in 2004 and his original, "Turkey Ridge," was selected for the 2005/2006 Ducks Unlimited National Art Package.
Additional accomplishments over the past year include having his artwork selected to be in the MGM movie "A Guy Thing", and having his artwork sold nationwide in Dillard's department stores with their Hemingway furniture collection. "Twentieth Century Fox" is using three paintings in their upcoming movie titled "Electra" starring Jennifer Garner. Spies was interviewed by People magazine, featured in US Art and Wildlife Art Magazine, as well as featured in "People to Watch in Year 2001 and Beyond" in the Sioux Falls, SD Argus Leader.
Spies' other notable achievements include receiving first place in the "International Artists Management" art competition in St. Petersburg, FL, as well as being a finalist in the International Art Competition of N.Y. miniatures and the South Carolina Waterfowl stamp competition. He excels in photography as well, and has competed and attended Kodak/National Geographic Hot Shots in Washington, D.C. and National Geographic Magazine's Workshop and Competition in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He was recognized for top photograph for the latter and was published by National Geographic.
Spies is a resident of Watertown, South Dakota.
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