Working with The Feather River Land Trust
Photographing the Sierra Valley
For over 10 years I have been enjoying the Sierra Valley area near Portola California. There is lots of Nature there, Birds and other wildlife, Vernal pools, wild flowers, high desert and Alpine Valleys. The Feather River Watershed catches enough water to provide for 20 MIllion Californians.
Its the Birds man
The Feather River Land Trust helps to get the ranchers/landowners on board with ways to preserve their ways of life as well as habitat for the birds and animals that live and migrate through the hills and valleys of the Larger Water Shed.
Painting the Valley
Early on I painted this portrait of Freda, on one of our walks in the Sierra Valley. Oil on Canvas. Collection of Dr. Burnell Vassar
Giving to the Land Trust
This Year the Feather River Land Trust is building a Visitor/Nature Center in Sierra Valley. It will be done sometime in 2024. I decided to go all in after spotting a wolf from one of their nature trails in the valley. I couldn’t believe my eyes! I have been painting a series of views from the Valley to hang in the new center, and to use for prints and fund raising in the future. The is the first one. "Spirit of the Watershed" Oil on Canvas. 2022 I have two more in the works.
Cranes in the Valley
Last year (2022) I had the chance to join the Feather River Land Trust, the Plumas Audubon Society, and wildlife photographer Liz Ramsey at the Art and Ag trail event. I did some live painting on this piece while there. Many Farms and historic barns are open to the public, filled with arts and crafts.
The Future
I hope to hold some workshops at the new Nature Center, as well as participate in future Art and Ag events. I'll post here!
Exploring Landscape
Gray Lodge Wildlife Refuge -CA (New Breeds)
Here I Paint a fall scene from the Gray Lodge viewing platform to set the stage for some strange Giant Raven lead Ceremony. Oil on Canvas.
Mississippi Bar-CA (Is it time yet?)
Mississippi Bar is the first place I spotted a Phainopepla. Here I paint one bird in the frontground, and use a clockwork, painted copper bird across the pond, flying in circles.
Oil on canvas and copper.
Private collection, B.C Canada
Early Detail of Mississippi Bar landscape.
The colors in this painting reflect the orange glow caused by the Massive California Wildfires happening at the time. "Is it Time yet?" refers to the fragility of our wild creatures.
Sierra Valley (Flying Ibis)
One of the 4 Paintings promisied to the Feather River Land Trusts new Visiter/Nature center. All of these paintings are using my own reference photographs.
Spirit of the Watershead -Sierra Valley (Yellow Headed Black Birds)
One of the 4 Paintings promisied to the Feather River Land Trusts new Visiter/Nature center. All of these paintings are using my own reference photographs.
Photograph of Northern California creek on a smoky day (11-2018)
Birding field trip to document habitat and wildlife during major wildfire in CA.
"Smokey Pond"- white faced Ibis
"Smokey Pond"- white faced Ibis
"Smokey Pond"- white faced Ibis
Fingerpainting technique inspired by Wildfire field trips in late 2018. Oil (bird) on Acrylic on Panel.