This is another image that my then-agent, Harriet Kasak, brilliantly envisioned. Annually, we artists in the agency would advertise as a group in the Directory of Illustration, and all of us would put our best work into our allotted space.

Harriet’s idea was that I’d create an image that would allow me to put all of my favorite things into it and tell a bit of a story. Here, the scientist-Naturalist can’t be seen directly, but her presence is felt.

It’s a piece that has more of a formal design presentation with lots of natural light; quite different from the jumble and “messy” space of the “Shadows” painting I did a year later. To create this image, I set up a small table near a window in my studio and appointed the space with books, insect mounts, a fake skull, and some shells. The kestrel taxidermy mount and the orchid were created using photo reference of the bird and plant. After I created an acceptable sketch and got the go-ahead from Harriet, I painted this piece from the still life which had realistic light and color.

Up until the early 2000’s, I was still reluctant to sell my work (my babies!), displaying the special ones in my living room “gallery”. This was the first piece I was able to sell and “let go.”

Have you ever thought about the emotional jump it takes to sell one’s work? Perhaps if I can pinpoint the thoughts that allowed me to change my mind, I’ll write a blog post about it!