The Great Blue Heron & Anhinga Project
My goal with this series is to capture the beauty of untamed nature and wildlife. And by creating art I offer help to those who preserve, assist or serve to reduce threats in our wild world today. I am hopeful the Great Blue Heron project will bring awareness and spark conversation on these important topics. And, at the very least, as a patron of the arts, you enjoy this expression of natures beauty.
It all started with a visit to Florida. My daughter and I were out exploring the coastline of 30A. She loves to explore nature with me. A winding trail led us through varying terrain at Grayton Beach State Park. We happened to walk near a Great Blue Heron standing tall and still in the water. As an artist, my goal with every moment like this one, is to document a unique object, landscape or wildlife that captures my imagination. We must preserve the real natural beauty of this world. Before I got back to my home in Missouri, I had an ink drawing entered into my journal.
From here, I found myself researching more about the Great Blue Heron. This is when I found Andrea Pico Estrada on Instagram (@andreapicoestrada), a nature/bird photographer from Florida. She posts such amazing photos. Full of Heron and Anhinga species and so much more. We started a discussion. More art bloomed from there and a future collaboration.
And then, of course the final. Out of my journals and onto large scale paper. Direclty inspired by Andrea's photography of "Snazzy" the Anhinga.
I'm inspired and enthused by nature and wildlife of all kinds. This passion influences the subjects of my pen and ink drawings. From small studies of objects to large scale wildlife drawings. I look to collaborate with those seeking to protect, restore and document nature and all its wild habitats that dwell within. Look for projects marked as a collaboration series I donate 10% of art and print sales from these to benefit wildlife and nature protection causes.
So much more to come on this series.
/ A - 2018