At the Zoo

 

 

The Alaska Zoo Gift Shop is now carrying my Christmas Cards.   I know, I know, it's not even past Halloween and Thanksgiving has yet to rear it's gravy-soaked head yet but...  

 

Almost all of the animals at the Alaska Zoo are rescues from Alaska that cannot be release due to injury or habituation as well as animals on the Endangered Species List that are part of species survival plans representing arctic and sub-arctic species.



A moose and a porcupine walk into a gift shop...

 

...here's an idea, skip Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Walmart Wednesday, and Costco Caturday(?). Instead spend some time learning about nature and animals at the Alaska Zoo or your local zoo, wildlife or sea life center, forest preserve, national park, or wherever you go to get back to whatever piece of wilderness you find.  If they have a gift shop or donation jar, spend a couple dollars on something and make your hard earned money go to something more worthwhile than corporate profit.   At least here at the Alaska Zoo, all purchases go to support the zoo and its mission of education and care of animals.

Snake, the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), thanks you for your support.

Here's a recent commissioned work, meet Shea, named after the stadium if I'm not mistaken. Pet portraiture can be interesting but stressful to paint, you are trying to capture a lot of emotions and personality in just one two dimensional image.  Most of all I really just want the recipient to be happy with it as a lot of these commissions are in memoriam.   Since I knew Shea this one was really enjoyable to create. 

What are you lookin at?

I just like this photo I took on Sunday...occasionally we all feel this way : )

The Alaska Railroad sent out a press release with details of the 2016 Painting I did for them for their annual print.  It will be available for purchase from the railroad via their gift shop online or at the Anchorage & Fairbanks depots.  Special thanks to the Alaska Railroad and especially Stephenie Wheeler!  More info at:

//www.alaskarailroad.com/corporate/Community/AnnualPrintContest/tabid/475/Default.aspx