The leaves of Stiff goldenrod (Oligoneuron rigidum/Solida rigida) have been my inspiration for a few new botanical works of art recently. I planted this native wildflower in my yard ~5 years ago, and it seems quite happy here. Like the rest of the native species in my yard, I planted it because of the ecological value it adds to the landscape, as well as the aesthetic value. Stiff goldenrod artwork – watercolor I completed this…

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The American Eagle one ounce silver coin program In 1986, the United States Mint began selling one ounce silver coins as bullion, meant for precious metal investors. The obverse (heads side) of this coin bears the classic “Walking Liberty” design by Adolph A. Weinman, first used on half dollar coins from 1916 to 1947. Many collectors revere this image. United States Mint sculptor/engraver (and later Chief Engraver) John Mercanti’s superb rendering of a heraldic eagle distinguishes the reverse. The…

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I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Algonquin Provincial Park recently, so the good folks at the Harkness Laboratory of Fisheries Research (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry)—stationed at Lake Opeongo in the Park—kindly sent me a graphic and a photo of how they’re using the lake trout illustration I recently licensed to them. Report tagged lake trout sign © Harkness Laboratory of Fisheries Research, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry The sign asks…

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I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Algonquin Provincial Park recently, so the good folks at the Harkness Laboratory of Fisheries Research (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry)—stationed at Lake Opeongo in the Park—kindly sent me a graphic and a photo of how they’re using the lake trout illustration I recently licensed to them. Report tagged lake trout sign © Harkness Laboratory of Fisheries Research, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry The sign asks…

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The Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is a beautiful insect (albeit not a fly) that is, unfortunately, being a nuisance in some states in the Eastern USA where humans have unwittingly spread it. This species is native to China and is considered invasive in North America. You can read about the Spotted lanternfly and its impact here. When Pennsylvania State University recently approached me to illustrate this insect’s life cycle, feeding behavior, and distribution, I was…

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The Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is a beautiful insect (albeit not a fly) that is, unfortunately, being a nuisance in some states in the Eastern USA where humans have unwittingly spread it. This species is native to China and is considered invasive in North America. You can read about the Spotted lanternfly and its impact here. When Pennsylvania State University recently approached me to illustrate this insect’s life cycle, feeding behavior, and distribution, I was…

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If you’ve been to my website lately, you may have noticed that it has a new appearance and a modest reorganization. Though I liked my previous website design, there were some issues with its functionality and I wanted to reorganize the content. Primarily, I wanted to add a Nature Art section in order to allow me to sell original artwork through my site. Now, visitors can purchase original art directly through my website’s shopping cart…

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If you’ve been to my website lately, you may have noticed that it has a new appearance and a modest reorganization. Though I liked my previous website design, there were some issues with its functionality and I wanted to reorganize the content. Primarily, I wanted to add a Nature Art section in order to allow me to sell original artwork through my site. Now, visitors can purchase original art directly through my website’s shopping cart…

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I remember thinking, as a youth, that I could choose any career I wanted, but I’m pretty sure l never considered that I might not be good at some of them. Such naïveté! Over the years, I’ve come to learn that there are many, many professions for which I would be ill-suited, and managing a classroom full of young students is one of them. That’s one reason I have enormous admiration and respect for those…

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I remember thinking, as a youth, that I could choose any career I wanted, but I’m pretty sure l never considered that I might not be good at some of them. Such naïveté! Over the years, I’ve come to learn that there are many, many professions for which I would be ill-suited, and managing a classroom full of young students is one of them. That’s one reason I have enormous admiration and respect for those…

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