The Waiting Game

Honored to have the chance to collaborate with San Diego artist and creative director, Mikie Krisztal , on The Waiting Game, which features our favorite mascot, the ocelot. Part of Mikie's Bathroom Cave Paintings series, The Waiting Game reflects the alchemy of process—layers of mistakes, changes, bad decisions, and unexpected turns, all stacking into something whole.

The Waiting Game

The Ocelot is patient. It always has been. Long before humans arrived, it watched. And now, long after we’re gone, it still watches—silent, camouflaged, moving through a world that no longer fights against it. In the ruins of what once was, the ocelot waits, not for anything in particular, just because it can. Part of the Bathroom Cave Paintings series, The Waiting Game reflects the alchemy of process—layers of mistakes, changes, bad decisions, and unexpected turns, all stacking into something whole. The result isn’t just a painting but a two-dimensional sculpture, shaped by trial, error, and a little bit of fate—much like the world it depicts.

Profits from prints of The Waiting Game support Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, helping protect the few remaining wild ocelots still stuck playing this game with us—for now.

Support the ocelot directly with a donation.

Buy Mikie's art, including your own ocelot print, here. I also have his #buffalo. I love them both.

Follow Mikie on Instagram @mikiekrisztal and watch his reel detailing the story behind the ocelot.

Connect with Mikie on LinkedIn Michael Krisztal and hire his company for your next creative branding project.

#art #conservation #wildlife #ocelot #nationalwildliferefuge #NWR #endangeredspecies #USFWS #leadership #coaching #riograndevalley

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge National Wildlife Refuge Association Sustainable Brands