Wildlife and Domestic Animals
Please tap on the image to enlarge and scroll down for a detailed description of each piece.
Loon and Chick
Loon and Chick
The call of the loon echoes across the waterways in Northern Ontario. Whether I have been camping, cottaging, or staying at my favourite fishing lodge, the sound of this amazing bird is always welcome. This piece is a combination of both traditional pressed flower art and the use of floral and botanical materials to “paint” my pieces.
The marsh is created using snake weed, silver lace vine, broom grass, and stems of blue salvia. Cosmos leaf, black vanilla grass and bark complete the shoreline. Dark blue chrysanthemum (dyed) petals reflect the current in the water.
For the body of the adult loon, I used blue verbena, white marguerite, and dyed blue pansy petals. Flat fern, red Japanese maple leaves and pieces of white marguerite petals complete the accents on the loon. Blue daisy (dyed) petals with accents of flat fern and red Japanese maple leaves were used for the baby chick.
Original Art - Pressed Botanicals On Archival Paper
Size 14x11” -
Framed Under UV Glass, $500
Great Blue Heron Takes Flight
Great Blue Heron Takes Flight
As this majestic bird rises out of the marshes, one can almost hear the sound of its flapping wings. The heron and the marsh grasses are in striking contrast to the trees and clouds in the distance. This piece is a combination of both traditional pressed flower art and the use of floral and botanical materials to “paint” my piece.
The marsh is created using snake weed, broom grass, and mountain wild cat. Rose leaves and natural blue hydrangea complete the trees and clouds. For the body of the heron, I used florets of white marguerite, dyed dark blue chrysanthemum and dyed blue daisy. Petals of yellow larkspur and burplerium, as well as pieces of flat fern provide accents..
Original Art - Pressed Botanicals On Archival Paper
Size 14x11”
Framed Under UV Glass, $500
Robin in a Tree
Robin in a Tree
Nothing represents Spring or new beginnings like a robin and I always look forward to seeing my first one.
This artwork is created using fall oak leaves for the brown wings, head and back of the robin. Using shades of cosmos sulphureus brings out the breast of this striking bird. Touches of red Japanese maple, white chrysanthemum and yellow larkspur make it complete. The tree is created using rombus fern pieces layered to add texture
Original Art - Pressed Botanicals On Archival Paper
Size 10x8”
Framed Under UV Glass, $375
Blue Jay in Winter
Blue Jay in Winter
A lone blue jay stands on a snowy branch in the winter.
The blue jay is created using dyed blue chrysanthemum, dyed dark blue chrysanthemum, and white marguerite petals. Accents of flat fern and nine bark leaves complete the bird. Autumn tear drop leaves and hare’s tail grass make up the tree branches.
Original Art: Pressed Botanicals on Archival Paper
Size: 8x10"
Framed Under UV Glass, $400
NFS
Springtime Cardinal
Springtime Cardinal
A lone male cardinal is basking in the warmth of a spring day. This piece captures the male cardinal and the early buds of spring.
The cardinal was created using dyed red daisy and dyed red hydrangea petals, with Japanese red maple and nine bark leaves, The branches of the tree are autumn tear drop leaves with accents of yin yang grass for the leaves and buds.
Original Art: Pressed Botanicals on Archival Paper
Size: 10x8"
Framed Under UV Glass, $375
An African Watering Hole
An African Watering Hole
This piece began with the idea that I would include only those animals that come together at one time at a watering hole in Africa. Seven months later I completed this piece and showed it to two women who had both been to South Africa. To my delight they both exclaimed, “I was there, and I saw this exact scene!”
This artwork is presented on specialty paper with its fibers enhanced, over Arches watercolour paper. The trees and bushes in the background consist of red Japanese maple, high mountain silver stem and rue leaves. Completing the background, I used a cosmos sunset flower for the sun, borago petals for the water, bark for the shoreline and islands, and caspia for the grasses.
Yellow rose petals, squirrel foot fern leaves, and burplerium petals were used for the lion which is hiding behind separate pieces of caspia. The crocodiles lurking in the water were created from rabbit’s foot fern and burplerium petals. Burplerium petals, white chrysanthemums and rabbit’s foot fern were used for the elephants. For the giraffe, I used cosmos sulphureus and dyed orange chrysanthemums, with accents of white chrysanthemums, rabbit’s foot fern and flat fern. The little birds perched on the giraffes were created using rabbit’s foot fern. Finally this piece is made complete with zebras using white chrysanthemums and rabbit’s foot fern.
Original Art - Pressed Botanicals On Archival Paper
Size 20x16"
Framed Under UV Glass, $1500
Woodpeckers of Ontario
Woodpeckers of Ontario
Growing up, I hiked through the fields and woods around my home and in local conservation areas. It was during one of these walks when I became fascinated by the pileated woodpecker. This artwork is my largest and most challenging piece to date. It took me four months to complete and represents a new direction for my artwork-to create a story in a story. The trees, river, sky and sun provide a delightful background and natural habitat to place the woodpeckers.
The red headed woodpecker is made of white marguerite florets, boronia and dyed blue pansy petals. The pileated and downy woodpeckers were created using petals of dyed blue daisy, dyed red daisy and blue verbena, with florets of white marguerite completing the images. Flat fern was used for the beaks and feet of the adult birds and fledglings, with accents of high mountain silver stem on the fledglings poking out of the nest.
Pressed bark was layered to reflect the texture and complexity of trees. The forest is made from layering rain tree, natural Japanese maple and silver leaves, surrounding a river of dyed blue daisy petals. Natural blue hydrangea and yellow cosmos sulphureus complete the sky.
Original Art - Pressed Botanicals On Archival Paper
Size 24x18”
Framed Under UV Glass
NFS
Canada Geese Flying Along the Shores of the Speed River
Canada Geese Flying Along the Shores of the Speed River
A few years ago, I imagined capturing the scene I often witness from my apartment window, Canada geese flying along the shores of the Speed River. It was not until I discovered nine bark leaves and fall oak leaves with their natural brown hues that completing this project was possible.
The wings of the geese were created by using layers of thin strips of first darker then lighter shades of fall oak leaves. Natural purple chrysanthemum petals (which take on a brown hue when pressed), nine bark leaves, flat fern and white larkspur petals complete each bird. Layers of bark were used for the tree trunks with caspia, ying-yang grass and Asian thyme adding texture and richness to the shoreline. The geese have been lifted from the background using tiny pieces of Arches watercolour paper.
.
Original Art: Pressed Botanical Materials On Archival Paper
Size 14x11"
Framed Under Museum Glass, 3" Mat
Original Sold
Giclee Prints Available - 3" Mat - $200
Gathering: Chickadees
Gathering: Chickadees
The first snow of winter has fallen as a pair of chickadees gather the fruit of a sumac drupe. Chickadees are a common sight in Ontario and were attracted to my aunt’s window feeder where I first discovered their charm as a child. While walking through areas frequented by chickadees, hold bird seed in your hand and they will come for a visit
The chickadees were created using white marguerite petals, nine bark leaves, and buffalo grass. For the sumac drupe, I layered prairie smoke flowers with accents of hare’s tail grass and autumn tear drop leaves. Finishing this piece is a stem of northern brome grass.
.
Original Art: Pressed Botanical Materials On Archival Paper
Size 11x14"
Framed Under Museum Glass, 3" Mat
Original Sold
Giclee Prints Available - 3" Mat - $200
In the Field
In the Field
This red and white hound is roaming through a field searching for luck. Can you find it?
The hound is created using white larkspur petals and 5 variations in colour of cosmos sulphureus petals. Accents of burplerium petals for the eyes and nose complete the dog.
The taller trees in the background are high mountain silver stem leaves with rue leaves for the bushes. Tamarack and cassia stems with overlaying wild grass create the field. And there is the four-leaf clover in the bottom left corner.
Original Art - Pressed Botanicals On Archival Paper
Size 8x10”
Framed Under UV Glass, $375
Boxer Love
Boxer Love
If you have ever owned a boxer, you will recognize this loving gaze patiently waiting for your command or special treat.
Layers of fall oak and Japanese red maple leaves were used to create the main area of the face. The mask is created using dyed blue daisy petals, my substitute for black before discovering nine bark leaves. This piece is completed using white larkspur, pink rose, and burplerium petals.
Original Art - Pressed Botanicals On Archival Paper
Size 10x8”
Framed Under UV Glass
NFS
Alpaca
Alpaca
There is something endearing about the alpaca with its toothy grin, mop top hair and puffy cheeks.
To achieve dimension in its cheeks, I layered archival paper under the leaves. This is a technique that I am exploring to put more depth and texture in my artwork.
The alpaca is created using dusty miller leaves which have unique colour variations. The darker areas around the eyes, inside of the ears and nose are created using the reverse side of these leaves. Accents of burplerium were used for the eye and mouth, with white marguerite petals for its cute front tooth complete the face, The top knot is created by layering, layering and more layering of Japanese red maple leaves using both sides of the leaves for texture.
Original Art - Pressed Botanicals On Archival Paper
Size 8x10”
NFS
If you are interested in purchasing a piece of original artwork, giclee print, printed cards, having a custom card made, or discussing a custom piece of artwork you would like,
Please Use The Contact Form to contact me or reach me by email at ilived404@gmail.com.