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Continuing my exploration of using color to portray the passage of time, this ongoing series captures the plumage colors of migratory birds in Central Park, NYC, throughout a year. Each specific bird spends a predictable amount of time in the park, twice a year, on its journey in search of primary resources: food and nesting locations.
I receive daily eBird alerts from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, providing confirmed data on bird sightings in Central Park. Using this information as a foundation, I use online resources to learn about the specific species, including its migratory patterns, behaviors, calls, and songs. This immersive process can take days to weeks until I develop a comprehensive understanding of the unique qualities of that bird. While I strive to study both male and female birds, information regarding female birds is often less readily available.
During this time of getting to know the bird, I decide on three distinct plumage colors to represent it. These colors are then mixed using digital tools to create accurate color representations avoiding any personal color preferences. Drawing inspiration from my experiences as a novice birdwatcher and aiming to evoke a similar experience for the viewer, I apply colors to the acrylic panels to manipulate visibility as the viewer moves, challenging spatial expectations. For example: a color you see from a side angle may not be visible from a frontal view. The artwork is enlivened by the viewer’s motion. The unpainted areas on the panels suggest the open air where these birds thrive.
These paintings are the result of extensive research, yet the viewer's experience takes precedence.
This series mirrors my profound respect for the natural world, its cycles, and its inhabitants. With a keen awareness of the fragile state of our environment, each painting serves as a tribute to a species. These artworks become devotional objects, reminding us of the delicate balance that sustains life.
Green Heron - 2024
Acrylic on cast acrylic, 12.25 x 7.25 x .75 inches
One of the world’s few tool-using birds. It creates fishing lures with feathers, insects, twigs, etc
There’s iridescence in this painting, as in the bird’s feathers, but not captured in these images.
Green Heron (shown on shelf) - 2024
Acrylic on cast acrylic,1 2.25 x 7.25 x .75
Shelf: gloss formica, MDF, pine, 20 × 19 x 3.5 inches
One of the world’s few tool-using birds. It creates fishing lures with feathers, insects, twigs, etc
There’s iridescence in this painting, as in the bird’s feathers, but not captured in these images.
Green Heron (detail) - 2024
Acrylic on cast acrylic, 12.25 x 7.25 x .75 inches
Green Heron in the wild.
Eastern Whip-poor-will (shown on shelf)
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
Shelf: Gloss formica, MDF, Pine, 16 x 19 x 3.5 inches
Homage to the Eastern Whip-poor-will. A species that times its egg-laying to coincide with a full moon so it can forage for insects at night to feed its young. Within the Nightjar family, it is named onomatopoeically after its song.
Eastern Whip-poor-will (shown on shelf-detail)
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
Shelf: Gloss formica, MDF, Pine, 16 x 19 x 3.5 inches
Homage to the Eastern Whip-poor-will. A species that times its egg-laying to coincide with a full moon so it can forage for insects at night to feed its young. Within the Nightjar family, it is named onomatopoeically after its song.
Eastern Whip-poor-will (shown on shelf-detail)
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
Shelf: Gloss formica, MDF, Pine, 16 x 19 x 3.5 inches
Homage to the Eastern Whip-poor-will. A species that times its egg-laying to coincide with a full moon so it can forage for insects at night to feed its young. Within the Nightjar family, it is named onomatopoeically after its song.
Chimney Swift - 2024
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 5.25 x 8.25 x .75 inches, 2024
Chimney Swift (shown on shelf) - 2024
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 5.25 x 8.25 x .75 inches, 2024
Shelf: Gloss formica, MDF, Pine, 14.75 x 16 x 3 inches
An homage to the Chimney Swift.
“This enigmatic little cigar-shaped bird spends almost its entire life airborne. When it lands, it can’t perch—it clings to vertical walls inside chimneys or in hollow trees or caves. This species has suffered sharp declines as chimneys fall into disuse across the continent.”
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2022
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 5.25 x 8.25 x .75 inches
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a bird species that migrates through Central Park twice a year, encounters many obstacles during migration including decreasing size of its breeding areas.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (detail) - 2022
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 5.25 x 8.25 x .75 inches
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a bird species that migrates through Central Park twice a year, encounters many obstacles during migration including decreasing size of its breeding areas.
Cerulean Warbler, female - 2023
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 8.25 x 5.25 x .75 inches
Cerulean Warbler, male - 2023
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 8.25 x 5.25 x .75 inches
Cerulean Warbler (female/male pair on shelf) - 2023
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 8.25 x 5.25 x .75 inches
Shelf: Gloss formica, MDF, Pine, 16 x 19 x 3.5 inches
Bicknell's Thrush - 2023
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
Bicknell's Thrush (shown on shelf) - 2023
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
Shelf: Gloss formica, MDF, Pine, 18.75 x 20.25 x 3 inches
One of North America’s rarest songbirds, they are in steep decline. Males and Females are nearly identical. The only species known where the female has multiple mates during a breeding season. She builds the nest entirely herself and when the chicks hatch she has multiple males bring her/them food
Prothonotary Warbler - 2022
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 5.25 x 8.25 x .75 inches
Prothonotary Warbler (on shelf, detail) - 2022
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 5.25 x 8.25 x .75 inches
Shelf: Gloss formica, MDF, Pine, 14.75 x 16 x 3 inches
Double-crested Cormorant - 2022
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
Double-crested Cormorant (shown on shelf) - 2022
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
Shelf: Gloss formica, MDF, Pine, 18.75 x 20.25 x 3.5 inches
Golden-winged Warbler, female - 2023
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 8.25 x 5.25 x .75 inches
Golden-winged Warbler, male - 2023
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 8.25 x 5.25 x .75 inches,
Golden-winged Warbler (pair shown on shelf) - 2023
each artwork: Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 8.25 x 5.25 x .75 inches
Shelf: Gloss formica, MDF, Pine, 16 x 19 x 3.5 inches
Great Crested Flycatcher - 2022
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
As its name describes, this bird eats bugs. It moves quickly to catch its food. It also has a lovely orange color bar on its wings, noticeable from behind
Great Crested Flycatcher (shown on shelf) - 2022
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
Shelf: Gloss formica, MDF, Pine, 18.75 x 20.25 x 3 inches
Great Crested Flycatcher (shown on shelf) - 2022
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
Shelf: Gloss formica, MDF, Pine, 18.75 x 20.25 x 3 inches
Great Crested Flycatcher shown on shelf) - 2022
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
Shelf: Gloss formica, MDF, Pine, 18.75 x 20.25 x 3 inches
Great Egret - 2022
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 10 x 25 x .75 inches
in this painting I'm documenting the plumage colors during mating season when both males and females develop bright green skin around their eyes. They both also develop another set of fine, thin feathers that rise around their bodies like a cape. These feathers were prized in the fashion industry years ago and nearly caused the birds to become extinct they were captured and killed in great numbers.
Great Egret with Aigrette feathers showing breeding plumage, in the wild.
Summer Tanager - 2022
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
Summer Tanager (detail) - 2022
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
Blackpoll Warbler, female - 2023
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 8.25 x 5.25 x .75 inches
Blackpoll Warbler, male - 2023
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 8.25 x 5.25 x .75 inches
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2023
Acrylic on cast acrylic, 5.25 x 8.25 x.75 inches
Summer Tanager (shown on shelf) - 2022
artwork: Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
Shelf: 18.75 x 20.25 x 3.5 inches
Louisiana Waterthrush - 2023
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 12.25 x 7.25 x .75 inches
Red-winged Blackbird - 2022
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 5.25 x 8.25 x .75 inches
Red-winged Blackbird (shown on shelf)
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel 5.25 x 8.25 x .75 inches
Shelf: gloss formica, MDF, Pine, 15 x 16 x 3 inches
Painted Bunting, female - 2023
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 5.25 x 8.25 x .75 inches
Painted Bunting, male - 2023
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 5.25 x 8.25 x .75 inches
Painted Bunting (pair shown on shelf) - 2023
each artwork: Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
Shelf: gloss formica, MDF, Pine, 14.75 x 25 x 3.5 inches
Wood Thrush - 2023
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 5.25 x 8.25 x .75 inches
Canada Warbler 3 - 2021
Acrylic on acrylic panel, 5.25 x 8.25 x .75 inches
Canada Warbler - 2021
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 8.5 x 13 x .75 inches
Yellow Warbler 2 - 2021
Acrylic on acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 x .75 inches
Yellow Warbler 3 - 2021
Acrylic on acrylic panel, 5.25 x 8.25 x .75 inches
Yellow Warbler 4 - 2021
Acrylic on acrylic panel, 7.25 x 12.25 inches
Canada Warbler - 2021
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 8.5 x 13 x .75 inches
Flying Colors - solo exhibition at Hunterdon Art Museum - Installation views
Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton, NJ
May 19-September 1, 2024
Flying Colors - solo exhibition at Hunterdon Art Museum - Installation views
Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton, NJ
May 19-September 1, 2024
Consequence of Air - solo exhibition at Starr Suites - Installation views
Starr Suites, 281 Starr St #1R, Brooklyn, NY
February 10 - March 17, 2024
Consequence of Air - solo exhibition at Starr Suites - Installation views
Starr Suites, 281 Starr St #1R, Brooklyn, NY
February 10 - March 17, 2024
Dove - 2024
Acrylic on cast acrylic, 10 x 10 x.75 inches
*commisson, not part of Migration series as doves do not migrate through Central Park, NYC.
Prairie Warbler - 2024
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 5.25 x 8.25 x .75 inches /p>
*commissioned work, not part of series as they don't migrate through Central Park, NY
Prairie Warbler (detail) - 2024
Acrylic on cast acrylic panel, 5.25 x 8.25 x .75 inches /p>
*commissioned work, not part of series as they don't migrate through Central Park, NY
About the MIGRATION Series
Continuing my exploration of using color to portray the passage of time, this ongoing series captures the plumage colors of migratory birds in Central Park, NYC, throughout a year. Each specific bird spends a predictable amount of time in the park, twice a year, on its journey in search of primary resources: food and nesting locations.
I receive daily eBird alerts from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, providing confirmed data on bird sightings in Central Park. Using this information as a foundation, I use online resources to learn about the specific species, including its migratory patterns, behaviors, calls, and songs. This immersive process can take days to weeks until I develop a comprehensive understanding of the unique qualities of that bird. While I strive to study both male and female birds, information regarding female birds is often less readily available.
During this time of getting to know the bird, I decide on three distinct plumage colors to represent it. These colors are then mixed using digital tools to create accurate color representations avoiding any personal color preferences. Drawing inspiration from my experiences as a novice birdwatcher and aiming to evoke a similar experience for the viewer, I apply colors to the acrylic panels to manipulate visibility as the viewer moves, challenging spatial expectations. For example: a color you see from a side angle may not be visible from a frontal view. The artwork is enlivened by the viewer’s motion. The unpainted areas on the panels suggest the open air where these birds thrive.
These paintings are the result of extensive research, yet the viewer's experience takes precedence.
This series mirrors my profound respect for the natural world, its cycles, and its inhabitants. With a keen awareness of the fragile state of our environment, each painting serves as a tribute to a species. These artworks become devotional objects, reminding us of the delicate balance that sustains life.