resparza
Well-known member
Not that I followed this path but I think a number of people have. The newest I read about just the last few days is James Coe who was the Master Artist at Birds in Art this year. I just got the catalog and it mentions how he started off with a degree in Biology from Harvard, did a number of scientific field trips and then decided to go to art school for an MFA. Since then he's both illustrated field guides and done numerous paintings, some of which are beautiful landscapes with the birds well hidden in them. In any case he's a good example of switching careers, at least if what I read is wholly accurate.!
Actually science work is not to bad. As an ornithologist/mammalogist I have been lucky to work in beautiful corners of the earth in close contact with awesome creatures. The problem is that I have an increasing feeling that my academic career is getting to the point where I'm doing more administrative work and less field work, and I don't like that feeling.
Whether art will ever be a professional activity for me or not, I'm having fun playing with pencils and paints. It's relaxing, I get to work in the field, and often I create something I feel proud of :king:
Very nice sketches as Tim says. Keep at it!
Thanks! Keeping at it is my plan! Im just trying to make it a daily activity and not something I do every couple of months (which has been the case in the last 5 years or so).
Now I better take the sketchbook and binoculars to the local lake. The weather is great, the autum leaves are looking good, and many birds should be there on their way south.