Wild Heart Gallery

3rd Annual Animal Portraiture
Wild Heart Gallery
International Juried Art Exhibition
Open (January 1st, 2025)

My egg tempera painting Riatta: Portrait of a Llama was accepted into the show and received an Honorable Mention. 

The show can be viewed at the Wild Heart Gallery, located in Carmel Valley, California. The gallery promotes animal and wildlife artwork in a wide range of genres and styles. Artwork for this exhibition was selected by the jury based on theme, originality, skill, and quality of work.

Gidja

Gidja

Found December 31st, 2009 – July 8th, 2024

Gidja was a feral cat who started hanging out on my front porch in winter of 2009. One day, he turned his head towards me, and it was clear he had a bad abscess over one eye. I set a live trap with sardines and caught him. I took him to the vet, where his abscess was treated and he was neutered.

He lived in my studio, and it took about a year before he'd sit in my lap. At first he'd just walk by me and glare. He always looked a little angry. At first, he had strict rules. I could only pet him three times, and only from behind his ears to his shoulder blades. If I didn't follow these rules, I'd get swatted. Over time, he became my "velcro" cat - wanting to be in my lap all the time. He and Pumpkin (his companion) had beds on the table next to my computer, where they would nap while I worked. 

I know he was at least 16 years old, and maybe older. He was a loyal friend and is missed. Every day.

A shout-out to Carolyn Croll, who provided advice and encouragement to me, when I first brought Gidja home and didn't know what to do.

Cicadas!

I snapped this photo of a cicada exoskeleton on a Rose of Sharon leaf, just after a rain. 

This year, 13-year and 17-year cicada broods are emerging at the same time in the Midwest and Southeast for the first time since 1803. This includes Brood XIII, which hatched and burrowed into the ground in 2007. Also emerging is Brood XIX, hatched in 2011 and which has been underground for 13 years. These cicadas are "periodical" broods, which means they remain underground until they emerge and shed their exoskeletons. They live for just a few weeks to feed and breed. They also provide food for birds, fish, and mammals.