I grew up off grid, in one of the most beautiful, wildest places on the planet, the Alaskan Wilderness.  The Tongass National Forest to be precise, the largest remaining old growth temperate rainforest in the world.  Tongass is home to not only my family, and myself when I visit every summer, but to so many species of beautiful creatures, from brown bears, wolves to bald eagles...and the glorious trees, sooooo many trees!  I have a bit of an obsession with trees as you might be able to tell from all my art, haha :)  One of my earliest memories was of sitting on my dads shop overlooking the bay where Humpbacks and Orcas frequented, and was struck by a lone black silhouette of a barren tree contrasted against all the lush greenery of the living trees around it.  I sat and sketched that tree over and over again for hours, something about it captured my attention and I've been fascinated with trees in my art ever since.

When I heard the Trump administration opened up 9 million acres of the Tongass National Forest to development a few months ago, ie clear cutting, I was beyond upset.  This forest is a national treasure and needs to be protected and preserved for future generations to enjoy, for the animals that inhabit it, and for the carbon cleaning resource it provides to not just the United States, but for the entire planet.  I will personally be reaching out to President Biden to repeal this order and hope that the lawsuits that have been leveled against the order will also put an end to it and leave these old growth trees, some up to 800 years old, to continue to provide homes for wildlife, indigenous populations and help control climate change.  

Only a few miles from where I grew up, and now have my own tiny Alaskan Island (MAD Island), they clear cut the mountains a few years back and it's just depressing to pass by it and see the total devastation.  The photo below is just a glimpse of what it looks like, imagine this over 9 million acres...and it takes years and years for it to recover back to what it once was.

In keeping with my efforts to live a more eco friendly, sustainable lifestyle, I switched from using plastic plates as my paint palettes to a traditional artists palette.  The old palettes would just get thrown away, a compilation of acrylic paint piled onto plastic, basically something that would never deteriorate and just add to the pile of plastics proliferating landfills.  By using these new palettes I can avoid any kind of disposal issues at all by turning them into a two sided original work of art, that will basically last forever!  A win-Win!  One side is an abstract mosh up of the colors I used to paint with, this one even has some spots of glitter on it for a little extra sparkle :)  The other side I paint an actual painting, so you have two options to display your art.  It comes with a little easel to display, or you could hang the abstract side through the finger area, the other side would be kind of lop sided if hung up.  It is also coated on both sides with art resin to add extra sheen, depth and make the colors just pop!!

A portion of the proceeds from my MAD wonderland collection sales, is donated to Re:wild (formerly know as Global Wildlife Conservation), an organization I have collaborated with, and continue to contribute to. "We believe that together, we can protect and restore those ecosystems critical to the health of our planet—from the Amazon to Australia and from Borneo to our own backyards. We are excited to embark on this journey, because we believe that, together, we can rewild our world.." (Co-founded by Leonardo Dicaprio.)

​I've been following the plight of the Northern White Rhino for several years, and was deeply saddened when the last surviving male Sudan, passed away in 2018. Leaving behind only two females left in the world, neither of whom is capable of bearing children, even though Sudans sperm had been preserved before his death.  There is hope though, as recently scientists created 5 viable embryos from the sperm, and the eggs of the two remaining females, Najin and Fatu.  The plan is to impregnate Southern White Rhino (close relative species) surrogates with the embryos and bring the Northern White Rhino species back from the brink of extinction.  It's a risky process, but one that could be used to save other species as well if this goes as planned.

​The photo of the armed guards watching over Sudan 24/7 has haunted me since the first time I saw it.  That we as humans would push a species to extinction through greed is incomprehensible to me, and that only with it's dying breath, humans decide to finally step in and do something.

The problem is, humans need to be proactive and NOT force extinction on any species, ever, we have not right to do so.  The Northern White Rhino is at this stage due solely to the greed of humans and the harvesting of the Rhinos horns, and now scientists are rushing for a way to try to save the species at the last hour.  This is the story of far too many endangered animals on the planet, forced to the point of extinction by humans, and then humans have to come to the rescue.  We are better than this, and need to end the needless slaughter of animals for human consumption, and the greed of profit.  Once all of these animals are gone, they won't come back, and then where will we be?

In Keeping with my efforts to minimize my carbon footstep and live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle I've started using Canson recyclyed Bristol Paper.  "Never Give Up" is created on their 19"x24" paper and the original painting is offered for sale HERE. 

A portion of the proceeds from my MAD wonderland collection sales, is donated to Re:wild (formerly know as Global Wildlife Conservation), an organization I have collaborated with, and continue to contribute to. "We believe that together, we can protect and restore those ecosystems critical to the health of our planet—from the Amazon to Australia and from Borneo to our own backyards. We are excited to embark on this journey, because we believe that, together, we can rewild our world.." (Co-founded by Leonardo Dicaprio.)

I was extremely disturbed when I saw this.  I can't imagine how that poor creature must have felt to be held down while a human forcibly etched out "Trump" on this manatees back.  And for what purpose?  To make a political point...on a wild animal?  The entitlement to think that in any way this was okay is honestly disgusting and deplorable.  This is a protected animal, with it's numbers decreasing in the wild, and they already have to endure being struck by propellers on a constant basis as humans inhabit their space.  Hopefully the person(s) will be found and punished to the fullest extent of the law, and let this be a lesson to anyone who thinks that animals are a political prop to be abused in such a way....it.is.not.okay. 

"The Center for Biological Diversity today announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in an incident involving a threatened Florida manatee in north Florida’s Homosassa River. A statement issued late today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicates that someone apparently scratched the word TRUMP into algae on the animal's back." (Source: https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/5000-reward-offered-for-info-on-trump-carved-into-florida-manatees-back-2021-01-11/)

​I've always had a fascination with these beautiful gentle giants, and just a few weeks ago my daughter and I were running along a marina when we spotted two adults and a baby feeding right at the docks edge.  We watched them in awe for awhile as they weren't bothered by all the humans enjoying their beautiful presence, as they peacefully grazed on sea grass.  To think that someone would intentionally cause distress, or harm, to one of these amazing creatures is upsetting to even think about.  We are wards of this planet, and all the animals on it, we should be protecting them, not abusing them.

After this incident I felt moved to create a manatee painting to bring attention to this amazing creature and to just let them be, they are not here for us to use in any way shape or form.  They do not cause us harm, so let us do the same for them and provide a safe environment for them to flourish in.

In Keeping with my efforts to minimize my carbon footstep and live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle I've started using Canson recyclyed Bristol Paper.  "Gentle Giant" is created on their 19"x24" paper and the original painting is offered for sale HERE. 

A portion of the proceeds from my MAD wonderland collection sales, is donated to Re:wild (formerly know as Global Wildlife Conservation), an organization I have collaborated with, and continue to contribute to. "We believe that together, we can protect and restore those ecosystems critical to the health of our planet—from the Amazon to Australia and from Borneo to our own backyards. We are excited to embark on this journey, because we believe that, together, we can rewild our world.." (Co-founded by Leonardo Dicaprio.)

​A lot of my art in 2021 is going to be centered around conservation and bringing attention to the plight of our planet, and to the endangerment of species around the world.  I’ve always had a love for nature and animals as far back as I can remember, and seeing what is currently happening with climate change, human impact, and so many living species going extinct (estimates conclude that species go extinct every  day) I want to use my art as a voice to help in any way I can.

​I’ve been painting these color study style paintings starting last year, and love creating them, but wanted to make them more than just a simple abstract, and one day while riding my bike, it hit me, why not add in a little animal icon to make more of an impact?!  This is my first go at it, and I decided to add in a sweet little Koala as they have been in the news a lot lately due to the devastating Australian wildfires of 2020, where so many of these little creatures lost their homes, habitats and lives.  Even though Koalas are currently not considered endangered, they are vulnerable, which is one step before endangerment status.  Knowing this, we have the opportunity to help prevent them ever reaching endangered status…why wait until it’s too late.

​The main threat to the existence of Koalas is:
Loss of Habitat:
Clearing of the land for expansion of human settlement, for example, for agriculture, housing, mining, forestry, shops, factories and roads. While humans need these modern conveniences, we should be trying to put them in places where Koalas and other wildlife are not already living, and to think of other solutions to the problems of modern life, such as improving public transport. Click here for more information on Koala habitat.
Clearing of the eucalypt forests means that all wildlife, including Koalas, will suffer from:

• loss of habitat
• increased disturbance by humans
• injury or death from traffic
• injury or death from dogs and cats
• effects of garden pesticides getting into waterways
• increased competition for food and territory because of overcrowding
• increased stress on animals, making them more susceptible to disease.

(source: https://www.savethekoala.com/about-koalas/threats-koala)
​
Finding ways to help prevent the loss of habitat, and in turn, the extinction of Koalas in the wild, not only will save the species, but can help us to study ways to help other species before they ever get close to being endangered or going extinct.  There is hope for Koalas as people and organizations work towards preserving land for their continued existence.  As wards of this planet, it is our duty to protect it, and all living creatures, big and small.  We are the sentient, intelligent beings here, we need to preserve that which provides us life…our planet.  Even though I don't live in Australia, I can still do my part by discussing the issue, the need for assistance and change, and by donating to worthy causes that work towards saving our planet and it's inhabitants.

A portion of the proceeds from my MAD wonderland collection sales, is donated to Re:wild (formerly know as Global Wildlife Conservation), an organization I have collaborated with, and continue to contribute to. "We believe that together, we can protect and restore those ecosystems critical to the health of our planet—from the Amazon to Australia and from Borneo to our own backyards. We are excited to embark on this journey, because we believe that, together, we can rewild our world.." (Co-founded by Leonardo Dicaprio.)