Category: Lifestyle & Sketching
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I’m delighted to share some recent sketches from my ornithological studies. Songbirds are a constant source of fascination and inspiration in my artistic journey. Their radiant forms, intricate details, and diverse behaviors offer endless opportunities for observation and learning. In these pages, I aimed to capture local species like the Northern Cardinal and Chickadee with…
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As an artist who has long found inspiration along the Mississippi River, I’m compelled to reflect on the living legacy of its incredible backwaters and sloughs. For many years I’ve walked the banks and bluffs, observing these habitats flourish through seasons and years. Though I have occasionally paddle the local waterways, more often I’m content…
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Though now confined to the studio, visions of grizzlies (and other wild creatures) still dance in my mind’s eye, itching to be painted. I take thousands of reference photos during my encounters, but draw as much from memory—recollections of chance meetings with the bears in their wilderness habitat or rescue animals in sanctuaries. I had…
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I find that gardening complements my creative practice beautifully. Not only does being outside amongst the plants inspire me and bring wildlife in, but nurturing my garden is an act of artistry in itself. There’s something very satisfying about digging in the soil, planting seeds, and watching nature flourish thanks to a bit of care…
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As I walk the trails near my home, I’m often greeted by the sight of wild turkeys roaming the woods and fields. This spring and summer has brought an especially memorable flock. A mother turkey with eight young poults has made regular appearances during my hikes. The mother is very protective, keeping the little ones…
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Barred owls are a relatively common sight in this area, and I occasionally catch glimpses of them or their young as the owls hunt in nearby meadows, often towards dusk. Their predatory nature often earns them a chorus of angry crows or other disgruntled birds that attempt to escort them away from their territory. Using…
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A couple of recent pages from my sketchbook. In addition to my regional area of Minnesota where I have so many beautiful species nearby, I’ve often traveled out to Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana to find new Western subjects to paint among other things. It’s very inspiring to see behaviors and interactions these animals have with…
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I had thought these were published here earlier, but perhaps not. Several graphite pencil sketches of owls. All were done in a hardbound sketchbook and feature ambassador birds from several nature centers that I have been fortunate enough to visit. Being able to get an up close view of live subjects is so valuable in…
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A few small sketches of birds in transparent watercolor and ink.
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A couple of sketches that haven’t been posted here yet. Aiming for representing fur in texture yet not sketching every little hair as is done in my watercolors. The focus of these pieces are more of an exercise in form.