Red Tail Hawk in sugar Maple (2009) Available
Dimensions (inches) 34x56
Medium: acrylic
In the mid 1990's I worked as a courier. One of the places I delivered to was Hidden Lake golf course in Burlington. I brought my camera to work one day in hopes of painting this magestic Sugar Maple. Over 10 years later I pulled out the photograph and began painting it. This painting was the first one I had attempted in over 10 years. I learned a lot in this painting. It is the first one to begin my journey of preserving nature and wildlife with paint.
Steppenwolf (2009)
Subject: Cat basking in light
Dimensions (inches) 9x12
Medium: acrylic
Finalist in the 26th annual Artist's magaizine Competition
Steppenwolf lives in Saskatchewan. She was named after the band “Steppenwolf “and the song Born to be Wild. She purred so loud as a kitten and because the first line of the song was “Get your motor running” it was a perfect suit. Steppenwolf’s motor was always running. This painting is a depiction of her lying in the sun after a good cleaning purring contently.
Cayuga Train Bridge (2009)
Subject: Train Bridge and Blue Heron
Dimensions (inches) 24x24 Finalist in the 27th annual Artist's magaizine Competition
Medium: acrylic
Having lived in Cayuga for the past 10 years, I am always fascinated with the sheer size and beauty of Cayuga’s Train Bridge. Estimates are that this bridge was first erected in and around 1901. The pillars chosen in this painting were the only two made of block stone in the water. They both had their own unique look and character. When taking reference photos, my two boys played around the base of other pillars. It is hard to imagine the scale of these pillars until my youngest son was barely taller than the height of one block. I wanted to capture this bridge in the early evening with the gentle shadows on the pillars. I also wanted to capture a scene that many have seen along the Grand River. The blue heron was the obvious choice taking flight in the evening to a favourite spot waiting for his evening catch. Something anyone who has spent time on the Grand River has admired. The original can be seen in the Municipal building in the town of Cayuga.
Line of Sight (2010)
Subject: Stalking Cougar
Dimensions (inches) 5x8
Medium: acrylic
Private Collection
American Kestrel (2009)
Subject: Portrait
Dimensions (inches) 8x10
Medium: acrylic
I always love seeing the American kestrel. He is one of Ontario’s most vibrant birds. I tried to capture the beauty in this tiny falcon that is often seen on the top of the hydro wires.
Private Collection
Wildlife Art
Quiet Presence (2010)
Subject: Red Tail Hawk in Snow
Dimensions (inches) 16x40
Medium: acrylic
One of our families favourite past time is the Red Tail Hawk Game. Aquiring points everytime we spot one, This painting captures the sighting. A feather lightly falls with the snow after he lands.
Private Collection
Fight or Flight (2010)
Subject: Pelicans in flight
Dimensions (feet): 3 x 7
Medium: acrylic
Description: Fight or Flight was inspired by past human decisions directly or indirectly affecting the ecosystems of our planet.
Brown pelicans became the tool to express this statement. They are social birds constantly cruising the airways in search of food or better surroundings. Their flight characteristics are key. The way they glide through the air in perfect sync, as one single unit matching wing beats and air speed, almost as to mimic fighter jets in formation. This subtlety became the foundation for this piece. The jet steam in the background now becomes suited for these birds symbolizing mankind and our role in their world. It is placed in such a way that it is in harmony with the pelicans.
In this I have created a message through random juxtaposition. The pelicans along with mankind are soaring together towards a common goal ~ sustainability. Traveling in to battle together, in perfect sync to overcome the challenges that we are facing in the 21st century.
Thus inspiring the title, "Fight or Flight".
Maternal Pride (2010)
Subject: Mother and Cub
Dimensions (inches): 48 x 36
Medium: Acrylic
Description: Maternal Pride
The Glare of a lioness can be intimidating yet extremely beautiful. In this painting the sunlight has managed to penetrate the branches and find a home on the newborn cub, almost welcoming it into the world. Where there is calm there is also tension. In this scene the Mother is forced to find cover in the tangled branches of a thorny Acacia. Nearby lies a threat to her newborn cub perhaps a Cape Buffalo which will kill a cub on sight.
Original Available
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Private Collection ~ Haldimand County
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Cedar's Perch (2010) Available
Subject: Cedar Waxwing on Showy Mountain Ash
Dimensions (inches) 14x9
Medium: acrylic
Available
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Copper (2009)
Subject: Portrait
Dimensions (inches) 8x10
Medium: acrylic
Private Commission
Osprey Study (2011)
Diimensions (inches) 12x12
Medium: graphite
Available
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Least Tern (2011) Available Accepting Reserve
Subject: Least Tern on Gulf of Mexico On display until March 2012 Senorah Desert Museum
Dimensions (inches) 9"x19.5"
Medium: acrylic
In Florida the Least Tern is on the threatened species list. They are declining due to loss of habitat caused by rapid coastal development and tidal overwash. However, this year a record number of least terns were recorded on a 2 acre desolate sandbar in the Gulf of Mexico. I was lucky enough to have explored this place and see them for myself. The tide was receding and I only had a short time before the boat would be stuck and we would be stranded. Painting this bird in a beautiful sunny scene sums up the spirit of these feisty little terns.
Private Collection add text.
Triple Threat (2011) Private Collection
Subject: Eastern Diamondback, Poison Ivy and Strangler Fig
Dimensions (inches) 8"x13"
Medium: acrylic
This painting was inspired by a personal experience. Our family went on our first family vacation to the Everglades. Trent just turned 6 and Jesse was 7 when we left. They both received Snakes of Florida Books for Christmas so they could learn about all the snakes there and were aware of the ones that are dangerous and our rules of hiking in this area so different than here in Canada.
While looking for a camp spot in Long pine key Trent was sitting on my lap. Suddenly he shouted pull over!! Its an eastern diamond back rattlesnake. I don’t know if it is dead or alive but it is definitely an eastern diamondback!”. I pulled and sure enough it was their first poisonous snake!
Those who know me, know I love snakes and reptiles. Although the snake we saw wasn’t in poison ivy or wrapped around a strangler fig I thought it would be an artistic way to show the beauty of this venomous snake.
SCA
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Rain Owl (2011)
Subject: Barred Owl – Mount Washington
Dimensions (inches) 24x36
Medium: acrylic
Description: British Columbia’s Mount Washington is known for its moss-laden ancient hemlocks and yellow cedars. It is also common to experience this area with a bit of drizzle. Hours before I boarded my plane back home I ventured to a quaint spot on Mount Washington. Although I was excited to get back to my family it was also a moment that was somber and allowed me to reflect on my experiences before leaving this magnificent province. In painting this piece I wanted the viewer to feel both the beauty and the somberness. I used the branches to stretch off the other side of the painting and allow the barred owl (also known as the “rain owl” for their ability to predict the rain) to look off the page to and continue the path of direction. The dripping moss, sudden rain and the tail feathers of the owl also contribute in creating this mood.
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Featured in The 2011 Artist's Magazine Calendar- Finalist in the 28th Annual Artist Magazine Competition
Wolf and Pup (2011)
Subject: wolf and pup
Dimensions (inches): 20 x 16
Medium: acrylic
Description: Wolf, Pup and Devils Paintbrush - June trip to Minnesota
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EEmail for more information or for pricng billyjacksfineart@gmail.com
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Cypress
Skies (2011)
Cattle Egrets and Bald Cypress
32 x 48
While exploring a lake in a remote area of the Cypress swamps I sat to admire the wildlife that surrounded me. Being my first trip to Tropical Florida everything was fresh and exciting. When returning home I knew I wanted to capture the feeling I experienced on that trip. I felt depicting cattle egrets, a common bird in Florida soaking up the setting sun gave that feeling of the sheer beauty Florida has to offer. This piece also gave me the opportunity to magnify and show off the beauty of complimentary colours
Private Collection.
Finalist- Southwest Art’s 2011 Artistic Excellence Competition
