VCU Rice Center

I have been graciously asked to have my work exhibited at the Virginia Commonwealth University's Inger and Walter Rice Center's Education building dedication ceremony.

The Inger and Walter Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences is Virginia Commonwealth University’s field station devoted to a broad array of environmental research, teaching and public service. Located on 342 acres along the historic James River, midway between Richmond and Williamsburg, the Rice Center is rich in natural and cultural resources. The center has a variety of aquatic and terrestrial habitats that provide many research and educational opportunities.

I have had the privilege of being invited out to the center on several occasions where I have participated in gathering research and reference materials for a number of pieces that have come out of my studio. One piece notably "Out of the Darkness (Saw-whet Owl)" was a direct result of catching these little owls out at the Rice center. There is a lot that goes into creating my paintings and drawings that is not scene in the finished piece. Many hours are spent in the field and thanks to my friends at the Rice center and in VCU's Environmental Life Sciences department I spend those hours in the right spots... where the animals are.

So with the dedication ceremony coming up I am trying to get two more pieces completed in time to include with the exhibit. The first is a box turtle drawing and the second a painting of a sparrow in the reeds on the pond at the Rice center. The box turtle is in the composition sketch phase where as the sparrow painting is ready to be painted. All reference for these two pieces where taken from the Rice center. For more information about the center visit http://www.vcu.edu/rice/about/