Regal Majesty – California Condor: Bearing Witness to Renewal

Regal Majesty - California Condor, Opaque & transparent watercolor on museum board, Rebecca Latham

I am honored to share that my painting, Regal Majesty – California Condor, has been selected for the 2025 Artists for Conservation exhibition in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Creating this piece was both a privilege and a responsibility. The California condor is a living testament to the delicate balance between loss and hope. I did not encounter this magnificent bird soaring in the wild, but rather under the attentive care of those dedicated to bringing the species back from the edge of extinction. Witnessing the condor up close, I was struck by its commanding presence—its ancient, almost mythic dignity illuminated by a soft, golden backlight. In that moment, I saw not just a bird, but a symbol of both vulnerability and resilience.

Painting the condor was my way of honoring its story and the tireless work of conservationists who have refused to let this species disappear. There is a quiet urgency in their efforts, a reminder that the fate of the condor is intimately tied to our own choices and stewardship. Through Regal Majesty, I hope to invite viewers into a moment of reverence—for the bird, for the people working behind the scenes, and for the fragile threads that connect us all to the natural world.

The Artists for Conservation exhibition gathers artists who use their craft to advocate for wildlife and wild places. To have my work included in this exhibition is deeply meaningful to me. I hope this painting stirs a sense of wonder and a renewed commitment to protecting the irreplaceable life that still shares our world.

Thank you for joining me in this journey and for caring about the future of our wild heritage.