momsville

Focus on Nature XI: Natural History Illustration opens April 12 at the New York State Museum, showcasing world-class, juried artwork by top illustrators from 13 countries. (I’m quoting from the press release here)

“This exhibition, open through October 31 in the Photography Gallery, will feature 93 natural history illustrations, representing the work of 73 illustrators from the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa and Spain. The subjects represented are diverse, ranging from those only found in the artists’ home country to those that have a worldwide distribution. They include the Short-beaked Echidna, the Platypus, and the Leadbeater’s Possum, all mammals found only in Australia, and the Red Andreaea, a plant endemic to the Agulhas Negras Mountains of Brazil. Also represented are many birds familiar in the northeastern U.S. such as the Peregrine Falcon, Barred Owl, Connecticut Warbler, House Sparrow, and one of the world’s most widespread — the Barn Owl. There also are illustrations of an African Dung Beetle, along with the producer of its nourishment — an African elephant. Also included are recreations of extinct organisms such as the Apatosaurus (a dinosaur), Deinosuchus (an ancient crocodile), and Odontochelys (the ancestor of turtles.)”

I am honored to have my Marbled Salamander included in this exhibition.

Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) watercolor 9.5" x 12"

The painting on the poster for the exhibit is one by James Gurney, one of my very favorite illustrators.

Due to New York State budget woes, there will not be a formal opening event… or a catalog. Though an online catalog will be posted Tuesday, April 13th on the museum’s website.

New York State Museum

I’m having an art exhibit with Joy Yagid, and Tricia Zimic. Joy is a photographer and Tricia is a ceramicist and painter, and all three of us have chosen nature as a focus for our work. I’ve shown my work in various venues but I’m surprisingly excited to show these paintings in the town I live in.

April 18 through May 16
Opening reception on Sunday, April 25, 2–5 pm
1978 Arts Center in Maplewood, NJ. 07040
www.1978artscenter.org
(Gallery 1978 is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 5 pm.)

Gold Leaf and Gouache

Megasoma actaeon janus, beetle

Acanthosomatidae, a true bug

Lucanus cervus, beetle

When we moved to our house nine years ago, there was a very old cherry tree in the back yard. An arborist told me to cut it down. It was infested with carpenter ants. It leaned to the side. But it was blooming. And it was beautiful.

It is now early spring and the tree was threatening to bloom again, so I had to act fast. I found the nicest, gentlest tree guy I could, apologized to the tree spirits, and euthanized our friend.

This is a memorial to a backyard tree that was woven into our lives here.

spring

summer

winter

max at 5

Max 7, Miles 4

Max at 8

March 29, 2009. Max 11, Miles 7