These are two smaller works Ringbilled Gull (4 x4 inches)

and White Breasted Nuthatch (3.5 x 4 inches). I am in the

process of trying to complete several small works for my

upcoming Fall and Winter shows. For a complete schedule

of the shows check the news section of my website soon. I will have dates, places, and websites for information.

Lily Padderns 5″ x 7″

My latest little drawing. The reference for this was gathered when my friend and fellow artist Melanie Fain was in town for the Society Of Animal Artist’s fiftieth anniversary show. Melanie had a free day and chose to spend it with me. Lucky me! We toured the Mission at San Juan Capistrano and garnered some lovely reference of the koi ponds, among other things, there. This is a relatively small piece. I think I will have to do a larger one soon.

Well the whirl wind of a weekend in Wausau has passed. I attended my first Birds in Art reception Last week at The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin. Birds in Art is perhaps the most prestigious wildlife art exhibition in the world. It has been a goal of mine since I started to create wildlife art about seven years ago, to be juried into this exhibition. I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment and pride in grabbing this most difficult of brass rings. The hard work and effort through the last several years have gotten me to a place where my work hangs in the same exhibition, and indeed in the same room with such luminaries as Robert Bateman, Lars Jonsan, Nancy Howe, Larry Barth and more. I am humbled.

Now that I have patted myself on the back I must tell you about the real stars of the exhibition. The staff of the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum are as bright and lovely as any star in the sky. The staff has a true sense of the importance of this exhibition. That is not to say they feel that they are important. Quite the opposite actually, they know how important the exhibition is to their community and the community of artists involved with Birds in Art. In short the artwork is exalted by the staff but, equally exalted are the artists themselves. For an institution such as The Woodson Art Museum to recognize and celebrate the two sides of art, the work itself and it’s creator, is rare. The staff and the extended Woodson family go above above and beyond to treat their artists like kings. Providing us with many things like food and entertainment and an exquisite venue for our artwork. But what they really create for us is a warm place in their hearts where we feel like family, appreciated and special. The staff and the Woodson family create an environment that fosters community. The local community and the extended community of artists are strengthened by the efforts of  the museum staff and those that support the museum and in particular the Birds in Art Exhibition. Good people doing good work. A simple but powerful idea.

I could wax on forever. The point is I had a wonderful time this past weekend and I will work hard so that it won’t be my last time. Thank you Kathy, Andy, Shari, Jane, Erin and all the staff at the museum and thank you Alice and all of the extended  Woodson family it was a true pleasure.

Thank you Terry for putting me on the road to Wausau.

Thanks Jim for hanging out and showing me the ropes.

Julie it was fun to share our first BIA weekend together.

Thanks to some old friends Don, Paul and Carolyn, Wes and Rachelle, and Cole.

And thank you to the many unbelievable artists I had the pleasure to meet and share the weekend with Craig, Kathryn, Karen, Mary,Wes, Martin, Arlene, Roger, Darcie, David, Allen and more. I also enjoyed speaking with master artists Chris Bacon, Nancy Howe, Larry Barth and Carl Brenders

Tired 10″ x 17″

The Latest off the drawing board is “Tired” 10 x 17 inches. This is the second drawing inspired by my trip to the Galapagos Islands. I know that brown pelicans and ruddy turnstones are not confined to the Galapagos but they are a part of that ecosystem as are people, represented by the boat. There will be plenty more from the islands but next, I think, will be something from the Mid- Atlantic. Stay Tuned!

I apologize for the poor quality of the image. Although the light in my studio is fine for working,it is not so great for photographing. There is a glare from the flash in the center and a bit of the subtlety has gone out of the image.

Moving along the bottom of the piece gradually laying in value after value trying to mimic textures. I am looking forward to working on the tire at the far right of the piece. Those tires are what caught my attention while thumbing through my reference. As far as the sky is concerned, I believe I have decided that I will attempt some very subtle clouds. Cross your fingers so that I don’t screw it up.