Fins and Feathers 10 Painting

While form is one of the most basic elements of painting, it is also a powerful mechanism for expressing symbols and ideas. Through keen observation of nature, I have found images that communicate sorrows that transcend or defy articulation. My current work largely features on local species, such as birds and fish. As animals have no language, they are ideal forms for ineffable concepts. But consequently they are also extremely vulnerable to the whims and actions of humans. I have cultivated strong relationships with many animals that live near my home and studied their movements, moods, and relationships with each other and the world around them. This understanding is reflected in my art though my final products are far from accurate depictions of how these creatures look in real life. Instead, I strive to inject intense emotion into the portrayals, deliberately evoking a response from the viewers. These reactions are not necessarily positive, often my designs are meant to take the reader aback or consider the dire dangers of extinction . In a moment when the world is changing rapidly and natural resources are consumed thoughtlessly , the time to act to appreciate and protect nature is terrifyingly short. I hope that by appealing to my viewers emotionally through these images of animals, I can activate their conscience and catalyze action.