A Search for Beauty 2021

I was inspired by everyday birdlife, insects and plants I encountered while walking in my garden and suburb. I find these elements of nature deeply compelling and through my art discover the beauty in the complexity of nature. The birds I found were most likely killed by cars since I found them in high traffic areas next to the road.

I photograph these plants, birds and insects in an effort to capture their ephemeral beauty. I use my photographs as a reference for realistic oil paintings, to give a sense of immortality to their fleeting lives. I find treasure in discarded, forgotten and broken things. I honor nature by creating memorials for individual creatures so that they can be regarded as someone and not something. By searching for the beautiful I feel a connection with nature. The process of beauty and decay are results of time and the cycle of life and death and to me also serves as a reminder of how transient life is.

Every bird is uniquely breathtaking. They have been considered a link between earth and heaven by ancient cultures and symbolize the soul, freedom, transcendence and eternal life.

I find garden birds like doves particularly charming. Their understated beauty is something to be celebrated. These birds may be relatively common, but they should not be taken for granted.

That a species is common does not guarantee its survival. There are dangers that might include persecution, hunting, habitat loss, pesticides, pollution and the effects of climate change. The extinction in the late 1800s of the Passenger Pigeon in North America is an example of the complete annihilation of an entire population of birds.

The collective daily choices of mankind can have a tremendous positive universal impact on nature. A few examples of positive choices we can make is: have more plant-based meals, avoid single use plastics, reduce, reuse, recycle, conserve water, reduce your carbon footprint and educate others to understand the importance and value of natural resources. Protecting the planet starts with each one of us.

I am deeply concerned about the threatened ecosystem and have a keen interest in nature conservation. My intention with my art is to bring appreciation and awareness to how precious and important all creatures, plants and insects are.