About this project
a month in costa rica to paint the local wildlife!
You know when one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities presents itself and you would be utterly mad not to do everything in your power to make it happen? Well, one of those has arisen for me, and this is my attempt to make it a reality!
I have an opportunity to spend a month (this August) in an amazing, beautiful, inspiring home in Costa Rica. I plan to use this opportunity to reinvigorate the work I'm currently doing whipping up portraits of little birds. Most of my work is inspired by the wonders and joys found in nature. I'm thrilled to have a chance to experience a place with such an abundance of natural beauty. Costa Rica is home to a bevy of wonderful creatures and I can't wait to meet them all. To be able to experience first hand the interesting personalities of wildlife from such a different environment would be a welcome change from the limited exposure I get from using resource photos found around the internet. In addition to creating paintings of the characters I meet on this trip, I'll be putting together a book with the work created and anecdotes about my experiences.
birds!
And get this... not only will I be able to photograph and paint birds like this little guy...
and this...
but I'll also get to meet monkeys and a slew of other critters!
I'll also be chasing down monkeys to add to my portrait repertoire! Have I told you that once upon a time (when I was in third grade), I wanted to get married in a jungle and have monkeys as the members of my wedding party? Well, now you know. True story!
Being a full time artist, it's not often that opportunities to travel somewhere outside of a reasonable drive arise. However, my friend who has a house in Nosara has been incredibly generous in allowing me to stay there. The fund raising aspect of this project comes in the form of paying for airfare and meals, art supplies (panels, brushes, paint), purchasing a decent camera, and the production of a book of these paintings, as well as covering some of my costs at home, as I'll not be able to attend some of my more regular, bill-paying craft shows. That's where you come in :).
& something for you!
I'm not just asking for money in order to fund a vacation... I'm happily offering something in return. Depending on your level of contribution, you'll get a print or original (or multiples of either) of some of the work I create while on this trip. I'm also offering a pleasant little coffee table type book of my work when all of my paintings are complete. That way I can share some of my adventures with you!
a couple past birds
and finally
While the overall focus of this trip is on the wildlife I'll be around, I don't expect their influence will stop at the portraits I'll be creating. I'm sure Herbert the Owl will have a series of Costa Rica based adventures, and I'm sure some new Robots will come from the experience. Thank you so much for taking the time to read about my project!
FAQ
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I plan on departing the last week of July, 2011 and returning the last week of August, 2011.
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Depends! If you back me at a print level donation, I'll have your work en route to you in a week or two following my return. If you back me at an original art level, I'll ship your work to you in a month or so. I plan to paint every day that I'm there, but if I get enough people backing me at the original art level, I might need to finish some pieces on my return. For the book - that might take a couple months to put together and have printed, but they should be at your doorstep by mid-November at the latest. If you request a custom piece, that will also take a month or two to put together.
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Have a look at my website and send me a message. I'm happy to work with you to get you something you'll love.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
58
Backers
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on July 22, 2011.
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
One 5" x 5" print of either a bird, monkey, or other Costa Rican creature of your choice
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
Three 5" x 5" prints of either birds, monkeys, or other Costa Rican creatures, or a combo of your choosing
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
Five 5" x 5" prints of either either birds, monkeys, or other Costa Rican creatures, or a combo of your choosing
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Two 6"x6" bird, monkey, or other Costa Rican creature prints, or a combo of your choosing, each mounted on a nice, cradled wood panel AND a copy of my Portraits of Costa Rica book when completed
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
An original painting (6"x6" on wood panel) of your choosing from my travels (first come, first served) AND two copies of the Portraits of Costa Rica book when completed
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
Two original paintings from my trip on 6"x6" wood panels (first come, first served) AND 4 copies of the Portraits of Costa Rica book when completed (give them away as holiday gifts!)
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Four original 6"x6" paintings on wood panel (first come, first served) AND 4 copies of the Portraits of Costa Rica book when completed (give them away as holiday gifts!). Or, if you'd rather just have one big painting and the books, I'm happy to paint one of the Costa Rican creatures in a larger size (18" x18" on a cradled wood panel).
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Six original 6"x6" paintings (first come, first served) AND 4 copies of the Portraits of Costa Rica book when completed (give them away as holiday gifts!). Or, if you'd rather just have two big paintings and the books, I'm happy to paint a couple creatures in a larger size (18" x18" on a cradled wood panel).
Project By
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I seem to be most content with a paintbrush in my hand. I went to school at the Laguna College of Art and Design before moving to San Francisco and then on to Berkeley, which I now call home.
I like to draw or paint just about anything, from day dreams to a piece of fruit that looks too pretty to eat. I can’t seem to stick to one medium. Sometimes I like the ease of watercolor, or the texture of oil. Sometimes I like to get my fingers thick with clay. While my focus these days has been on wildlife, birds and such, I also spend time creating whimsical robots and chronicling the adventures of a grumpy little owl named Herbert. To see more of my work, please have a look at the website.
I find inspiration in the way light bounces off of skyscrapers and am equally enthralled by the views of clouds from airplane windows. My work celebrates the wonder in everyday things often taken for granted.
