To view details of each book in this series , please use the illustrated links below.
Throughout my life I have noticed less birds in the sky and in the trees. I have also witnessed the outdoors has become sparse with bird songs, compared to my memories from childhood and I have often pondered on it. A recent study that surveyed North American bird populations over the past fifty years confirmed my impressions and revealed that alarmingly, North America has lost almost three billion birds since 1970. “Decline of the North American Avifauna,” published in the journal Science on September 19, 2019, was the first-ever, widespread avian population assessment. The study showed that the decline spans virtually all groups of birds including common backyard birds. Scientists called the findings “staggering.” Through my series of one-of-a-kind artist books, I explore this ecological crisis. The birds I present reside in or migrate through my home state of Oregon. Vintage USGS topographic maps are used to construct the tunnel layers in the center and are specific to the habitat or range of each bird species. The maps are circa 1970, the year the data collection began in the study. In each book the text on the right, presents facts and information about the bird’s species and its population decline, contrasting with the left-hand text, a 19th century poem written by Emily Dickinson about each bird. Dickinson had a close connection to birds. They inspired many of her poems and she celebrated and marveled at them. Her poetry was written in a time long before these avian species began disappearing by the billions. The center tunnel in each book reveals a miniature painting of the featured bird in watercolor and ink evocative of ornithological illustration.
- Bird image painted in watercolor and ink on vintage USGS maps
- Laser printed text, on Zerkall German Ingres paper
- Tunnel book structure with gate folded hard covers housed archival folder with slip case
- Signed, unique handmade book
- 2023
- $1,800.00 for each book in this series of six
- To order, please contact the artist.