Creating Art in a National Park

Recently I was the official artist-in-residence for Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (the first one ever, they told me!) The residency was all volunteer and I provided the materials for the program and I donated most of the rights and all the of the original art produced there to the parks. The purpose of my residency was to create artwork and materials that could be used for programs in the parks now and in the future. Judging by the enthusiastic response of all those who came and participated on presentation day I think it was a success.

During my week in Sequoia -- I actually only had five days to work because of travel and the presentation day -- I created over 14 photo-op masks, 6 mask and other coloring pages, and several watercolor and acrylic paintings and lots of thumbnail sketches. My only regret? Not having more time there because I had so much fun and I still have a lot more ideas for artwork.

Thanks to all the great people at SEKI for the invitation to create art in the park!

And here are a couple of watercolor sketches of Kings Canyon.

Above are other pieces of artwork created for SEKI. I have also created artwork for Pinnacles National Park and Grand Canyon National Park as well.