As Mikaela progressed past cartoon characters, flowers, and landscapes she began to work on animals. The dimensions are different, the shadings more complex. She did this monkey first. This was also done in her first year of art lessons (2005)!
This Panda was next. It's hard to see if you aren't right in front of it but if you look closely you can see the texture of the hair. If you ever get a chance to see this one in person you will be amazed at the eyes. Mikaela did a great job of capturing this animal's gentleness. 
Mikaela did this cardinal on simple black construction paper with colored pencils. We were astounded when we saw it for the first time! Again, her art teacher had to assure us that this was all done at Mikaela's hand. She had details in this bird that made it look like you could reach out and touch it and actually feel the feathers. In person you would see the texture of the feathers perfectly as well as the gleam in the eye of the bird. It is so life-like in person that we had to frame it.
She immediately followed it up with...
This fox. Again, it is so life-like that you can almost feel his coat beneath your hand. Both this fox and the cardinal were done in the spring/summer 2006. The fox we had framed as well, it was also done on black construction paper with colored pencils. In person the texture that she put on him is incredible as well as the coloring she put into his coat.
Amazing, simply amazing.
Wouldn't you agree?
