Cathartes EcoArts: Gallery

Gallery

Artist Statement

I am an environmental artist. I am dedicated to creating a more sustainable and resilient future, in which humans give and care for the earth as much as, or more than, we take and flourish from it.

I am an artist because I was born one.

I am an environmental activist because climate change and environmental destruction are the most far-reaching, crucial, contemporary challenges we face today.

Much of my art focuses on the relationship between humans and the natural environment, climate change, environmental destruction, and science.

I am inspired by the power, beauty, dynamism and fragility of the natural world; powerful and passionate artists and art of all kinds; the strong and determined individuals and organizations actively building a better future for us all.

I work in both the art and the environmental field. My background includes studio art, environmental studies, international environmental policy, and environmental conservation.

Please email me with comments and inquiries: akblackburge@gmail.com

All Images © Ariel Burgess. Use is allowed only with express permission from the artist.

2016

Just stopping in for a quick update. I've been working on some new re-working for the We are all in this together paintings. Stay tuned for their new application...

2014
Ringing in this fine new year on January 1, 2014 with the wonderful success of my Kickstarter project. This will be my creative focus for a while. Follow the progress here in the upcoming months. I have started compiling a list of species and will work on their stories as I wait for the money to process and materials to arrive.

This will be an exciting year for sure!

January 10, 2014
The Kickstarter money finally went through and the materials have been ordered!
I have been doing some research on new species to include in my list, and learning tons about the amazing wildlife and plants that we share this earth with. I can't wait to share it all with you in the coming months!

January 16, 2014
Yesterday morning my pup alerted me that someone was in the driveway; a delivery man with magically fun boxes for me! Only eight of the canvases came along with some paint and mediums. The majority of the materials were on back order and will arrive in a couple of weeks. But I have more than enough stuff to start. So I have! I will upload a picture soon.

January 20, 2014
A Monday update! I have started the painting process. The eight canvases have been prepped and given a species. Not sure if it will work out, given other obligations like a trip and other work, but I am aiming to finish the first eight by the time the other 42 are delivered. A race against the UPS man!

They all get the red background first. The color in this picture is not very accurate, but it gives you an idea.

Here are two of the species coming to life! One step at a time.

January 27, 2014
The rest of the materials have been shipped and should have been here already! But it is okay, because progress continues!

This little guy may not be designated as Endangered today, but that does not mean he is not in danger.

February 18, 2014
I got back home and to work this week after being gone for over two weeks. I went to work hard, play hard, and see the sun. Now that I am back, I am getting back into the rhythm of painting. Today I would like to report that ALL 50 of the canvases have their distinct black edges. They have (all) begun!

Kind of wishing we had a little more room at the moment...!

April 22, 2014
Things are going well and progressing. I have had a couple weeks of good work. The beautiful spring weather has definitely helped! The fresh air and sunny skies have added hours to the day and my productivity. After a couple of snafus involving a projector (which I use for the text on the paintings) I have started adding the text! It really makes them look so much better. I am getting excited about seeing them all done and hung together. Here are some more pictures of recent progress. Hope you enjoy!

These four show how I first sketch the image and then get a good underpainting to build the species on. Yes, a grasshopper! (Don't forget the little guys!)

Then I start adding color to build up the layers. The species are beginning to take shape!

Here is a group of pieces that have gotten the text added. It really makes all the difference.

A little closer version of three with text.

August 9, 2014
I am not quite sure what has happened! How is it August already? It has been a whirlwind of a summer and I have been working almost every day of it. I have been working for my friends landscaping company four days a week and working on this project the other three days of the week. It has been fabulous, but I guess being so busy makes me loose track of time...my apologies.

The paintings are next to being done, just a few more weeks. Then I will work on sending out gifts and editing the book, turning the paintings into high-quality digital images, and figuring out how I want to get the book made. There is definitely no time to loose!

In May I tabled at the Pine Barrens Allience Environmental Fair in Plymouth, MA. At the end of May I moved and now have a new (and nicer) studio space! In June I was part of a RAWartist show in Washington DC. It was really fun to get to the city and meet new people. I showed some of the pieces from this series and got a lot of questions about them. I have also made cards out of some of the paintings. They are for sale for anyone who wants some!

Table set up at the Pine Barrens Allience environmental fair. (Note my faithful sidekick womaning...dogging the table. I must admit, she may have enticed almost as many people over to the table as the art did! Hey, whatever it takes to bring in the crowds, right?)

Pine Barrens environmental fair

RAWartists show in Washington DC. June 2014
Here is the first view of a group of the paintings together. There are only 15 set up here, I cannot wait to see al 50 together!

RAWartists show in Washington DC
Those are the cards on the left. People really seem to like them.

The new studio space and my beautiful baby girl.

Add caption

I finished this one just last weekend.

Okay, I need to get to painting...and finish them!

September 6, 2014
I am very happy to report that all 50 paintings are complete!

This stage of the project took longer than initially expected, but it has benefited from the extra time. I have been working on these every single week for 9 months. It has really defined my year so far. I have spent so many days shut in my room painting, on snowy days, on rainy days, on sunny days, and late nights too. I have loved every second of it, but am also happy to be done and on to the next stage of the project.

November 17, 2014
Two more significant steps are complete!

First of all, with gratitude to Johnathan, I have high-quality digital images of all the paintings. I have gone through them all and edited them as well. This means that I am one step closer to getting prints, and mailing out the gifts!

The second piece of news is that I just finished the first draft of all 50 write-ups! Boy did that take a long time! They are not done, they still need to be edited and tweaked, but the research and initial writing is finally done. Whew! I plan to also write an introduction, which I have not started, but will come after the 50 write-ups are complete.

So, it is off to bed for me. Thank you all for your continued support in this beautifully slow process.

More to come soon!
2013

Climate Change Is an Emperor Penguin Issue

Climate Change IS Series

12" x 16"

acrylic on canvas

Climate Change Is a Red-bellied Woodpecker Issue

Climate Change IS Series

12" x 16"

acrylic on canvas

Climate Change Is a Hawksbill Sea Turtle Issue

Climate Change IS Series

12" x 16"

acrylic on canvas

Climate change is affecting many marine species through rising ocean temperatures and ocean acidification, including sea turtles who live most of their lives in the open ocean. One unique part of the sea turtle life cycle is that they lay their eggs on land. Mother Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) return to the beach where they were born to lay their eggs. Slow to mature, Hawksbills reach sexual maturity after about thirty years. Many things can change in thirty years. Eroding shores and beaches due to rising sea levels may require the turtles to search for new nesting grounds. Since nests are buried in the sand on land, atmospheric temperatures affect the eggs. If the nest temperature is too high, the eggs may not survive. The sex of sea turtle eggs is determined by temperature as well. As temperatures rise, more and more eggs develop into female turtles. In Florida, Loggerhead Sea Turtle nests are already reported to hatch 90% females. If temperatures rise another 1^o C there will be no more male turtles from those nests at all. Hawksbills are Critically Endangered and only time will tell how well they can adapt to unprecedented, rapid climate change compounded with an already stressed existence.

Climate Change Is an Eastern Hemlock Issue

Climate Change IS Series

12" x 16"

acrylic on canvas

The Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) can be found from Canada to Georgia, and throughout New England. It is usually associated with cool shady forests in which it thrives. They are a long-lived species, reported to reach up to 500 years old. This majestic conifer is threatened by the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae). Woolly Adelgids are an East Asian insect that was introduced to the United States in the 1920s. Woolly Adelgid spread throughout the southern areas in the Hemlock range, but has been spreading further north as annual temperatures rise. A usually long-living tree, a Woolly Adelgid infestation can kill a Hemlock in only two years. Especially in northern areas, such as Vermont, Hemlocks are a significant part of their ecosystems. Loosing Hemlocks affects the whole ecosystem including other species that rely on them, the carbon cycle, soil composition, and water quality. Presence of Woolly Adelgid can be identified by their “wooly” egg sacks on the underside of Hemlock branches.

Climate Change Is a Wood Frog Issue

Climate Change IS Series

12" x 16"

acrylic on canvas

Amphibians are a particularly sensitive Class of animals. Their pervious skin makes them susceptible to even low levels of toxins and pollution in their environment. Many species require terrestrial and aquatic habitats, so if either is degraded they may suffer. A number of species in New England, including Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica), depend on ephemeral vernal pools to lay their eggs each spring. Wood Frogs live in upland wood areas through the summer, fall and winter where they “freeze” and then “thaw” with the dropping and rising temperatures. In the spring, they migrate to vernal pools where they lay their eggs.

In Vermont, the Reptile and Amphibian Atlas just completed an analysis of their past ten years of data for amphibian egg masses. They found that earlier egg laying dates are directly correlated to warmer spring temperatures. Maybe this is expected, since the frogs might “un-thaw” earlier, and need to time egg-laying so that they hatch before the vernal pools dry up, but it is a new and significant change. Global climate change affects different areas in varying and often unpredictable ways. It is unknown how the temporal shift in egg laying will affect Wood Frog populations in the future, or how many relatively rapid changes they will be able to endure.

Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)
20" x 16"
acrylic on canvas

This was completed for a collaborative exhibition between the Birds of Vermont Museum, Vermont Center for Ecostudies and local artists. The art is displayed with updated population and species information from the recently published and updated Second Atlas of Breeding Birds of Vermont. The exhibit is at the Birds of Vermont Museum in Huntington, Vermont from March to October 2013.

Exhibition view of Band Swallow (Riparia riparia)

2012

Jessy
Today's Environmentalists Series
18" x 24"
acrylic on canvas

With her fantastic sense of humor and sharp-as-a-tack intellect, Jessy can have the room on the floor laughing about toilets one minute and lack of climate change policy the next. While working for a public radio station in Chicago, she converted her car’s engine to run on bio-diesel. Wanting to “to do something more”, she decided to pursue environmental work more seriously. The entrepreneurial part of her led her to double major in grad school and get a MA in International Environmental Policy and a MBA. With a standup comedy routine; smart, if not snide, comments on today’s culture and not-so-culture; great love of everything outdoors and sustainable, Jessie is always a joy to be around.

You can visit Jessy's website here: jessybradish.com

Frank
Today's Environmentalists Series
18" x 24"
acrylic on canvas

Coming from a family that loves the oceans, it might not come as a surprise that Frank wants to explore and protect its ecosystems. With a solid background in environmental policy starting in college at Berkley, he decided to focus his International Environmental Policy masters degree on Marine Conservation. When most people think of protecting ecosystems they think of land, what they don’t think of is our oceans. With much terrestrial work still needed, the oceans might need protecting even more. Thought of as a renewable and bottomless resource, the oceans and their inhabitants have long been a dumping ground for pollution and waste, a place of unsustainable collection, and a lawless place governed by no one. Frank is particularly interested in the human element of marine conservation and how sustainable fisheries and local knowledge can help protect ecosystems. With his quick smile and California nature, he is always up for a day of surfing and enjoying the world around us.

Patrick
Today's Environmentalists Series
18" x 24"
acrylic on canvas

With a strong interest in the environment since high school, Patrick applied his incredible intelligence to studying math and engineering and embarked on a 14 year engineering career in Silicon Valley. Dissatisfied with the progress the world was making towards protecting the environment, Patrick took a break from engineering and traveled to China to try to understand the rising dragon that is changing the world. When Patrick returned to America, he was ready to transform his career and decided to pursue studies in International Environmental Policy. During his latest academic endeavor, he focused his research on energy, utilizing his incredible analytical skills. He also speaks Mandarin and is particularly interested in US-China energy policy. An avid biker and outdoors person, there is no doubt that Patrick will make a significant contribution towards moving the energy sector away from oil and towards sustainable, renewable, and reliable sources.

Looking Up
Cascade Range, California
8" x 6"
acrylic on paper

Middle Sister
Cascade Range, Oregon
6" x 8"
acrylic on paper

Full Moon Rising
Sierra Nevadas, California
8" x 6"
acrylic on paper

Para Abel
18" x 24"
acrylic on canvas

Para Abel
detail

For James
18" x 24"
acrylic on canvas

Abi
18" x 24"
acrylic on canvas

2011

Invasive/Endangered
16" x 40" each
acrylic on canvas

Forty Endangered and Critically Endangered species from around the world, in red.
Forty invasive, exotic species from around the world, in gray.