Pyrography on Watercolor Paper
'“I have spent countless hours studying and drawing birds and other wildlife from my own experiences in an attempt to share these stories through my artwork.”
Charles
The Great Horned Owl named “Charles” that has made Forest Park his home. Here, he is just waking up from his daytime slumber as he prepares for the night life. He puffs up his feathers a bit and is ready for his morning stretches before heading out into the cover of night searching for breakfast.
The Night Shift
The Barred Owl, like most species of owls, he chooses the cover of night to hunt his prey. He remains motionless for sometimes hours, with the exception of his round head as it swivels almost completely around detecting the faintest sounds. He descends upon prey with nearly no sound or warning and is truly a ghost hunter of the night.
Standing Tall
The Short-eared Owl, a daytime hunter of the fields and marshes. Standing tall upon the ground as he surveys the territory he has claimed and will defend with amazing aerial attacks and defensive maneuvers.
The Highlander
The iconic highland cow with its long shaggy coat that is built to withstand the cold rains and bitter wind that sweeps across the rugged hills of Scotland. It’s eyes often covered by layers of long strands of fur, forces the cow to rely on its other senses to help navigate through the often-hostile terrain.
From the Ashes
The Shortleaf Pine covered hillside of the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. The prescribed and natural burns that take place here seemingly destroys almost everything in its path, leaving the landscape scorched and burned. However, these burns are necessary to restore the plant and animal life that call these areas home. Amid the blackened pines, a rare visitor, the Lewis Woodpecker takes center stage, as “From the Ashes” new life emerges!
New Perspective
A white breasted nuthatch as it skillfully climbs down the trunk of a tree headfirst. Most birds in the woodpecker family climb trees in the normal fashion by starting at the bottom and working their way up the tree. Not the nuthatch! They start higher up and working downwards, obtain a new and different perspective. Coming down the tree headfirst allows them to inspect tiny holes, or crevices for insects the other woodpeckers missed.
Out on a Limb
An adult Bald Eagle perched on a branch overlooking its territory. The Eagle's keen eyesight carefully surveys the landscape for any signs of movement.
A Hunter’s Gaze
The intent focus of the red-tailed hawk as it hunts the Missouri countryside. His eyes with their penetrating stare demand attention. The hawk’s expression offers a warning of caution to all whom enter into his territory. A close-up perspective offers the viewer to experience and explore the intricate details of this beautiful bird of prey.
Hunting the Back Forty
An agile hunter, the American kestrel. This small bird of prey is a member of the falcon family and is seen here perched upon some corn field stubble. The family farm, located in Cedar Hill, Missouri was the source of inspiration for “Hunting the back Forty”.
Challenge Accepted
The white-tailed deer as he forges among the fall leaves. He remains diligently attuned to the world around him and relies on all his senses to detect the slightest movement, sounds, and smells that may pose a threat. And so, the story unfolds as both hunter and the hunted accept the challenge for survival.
Widow Skimmer Dragonfly
The Widow Skimmer, a brilliantly colored, very territorial dragonfly. It preys on mosquitoes, flies, gnats and other small flying insects.
Thrashing About
A Brown Thrasher as it forges through the grass in search of insects. The Thrasher is a bird that mimics the songs of other birds, much like the mockingbird.
The Visitor
The White-breasted Nuthatch and his fearless personality. This small nuthatch is usually one of the first birds to get together a mob if a predator is hiding nearby. He will taunt and harass at dangerous distances to not only warn but also drive away unwanted intruders. This personality also makes him a backyard favorite as he is usually a bit more approachable at feeders to the point of taking seeds from people’s hands.
A Hidden Gaze
A hidden gaze emerges from the dense forest. The Long-eared Owl’s camouflage allows it to go almost undetected as it roosts among the thick branches. From the shadows, a piercing stare allows the viewer to lock eyes momentarily with this majestic creature that is so often overlooked.
Looking Back
An image of a red-tailed hawk as his attention has been drawn now behind him. He has hunted this farm for most of his life and has witnessed all the changes that come with time. He seemingly takes a brief moment and shifts his attention from the future in front of him to recall the memories that can only be revisited now by looking back.
Patiently Waiting
The extreme patience of the red-tailed hawk as he remains motionless on his favorite perch for sometimes hours. The slightest movement attracts attention, and his keen eyesight allows him to focus in on his prey at great distances. He is patiently waiting for the right opportunity to pursue what he has set his eyes upon.
A Safe Place
A fox squirrel desperately hiding among the leaves and branches. Today he has found a safe place to hide against an aerial attack from a red-tailed hawk circling above.
Summer Guest
The impressive Monarch Butterfly with intricately patterned wings and a life cycle that symbolizes transformation, and personal growth. With grace, he flutters past haphazardly inspecting flowering blossoms. For he is only a summer guest and will migrate great distances as fall approaches.
Spring is Here
The Eastern Meadowlark as he boldly announces the changing of the seasons with his enchanting song. The fields are transforming from their winter wastelands into flourishing hayfields that offer abundant food, shelter, and a thriving place to raise the next generation.
A Pledge of Allegiance
One of the most patriotic symbols of America, the Bald Eagle. The Eagle stands guarding this great nation and reminds us of the endless perseverance to stand up and fight for what we believe. The Eagle represents power, strength, and freedom.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
