Alaskan Wildlife & Landscape
The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a remarkable feat of nature, holding the distinction of having the northernmost breeding range of any hummingbird species in the world, extending into southern Alaska. These tiny birds, weighing less than a nickel (about 3-4 grams) and measuring just three inches long, defy expectations by thriving in Alaska’s cool, coastal environments during the brief summer months.
Males are strikingly vibrant, with fiery orange-red backs, bellies, and an iridescent throat (gorget) that flashes like glowing coals in sunlight. Females and juveniles are more subdued, featuring green upperparts with rufous (rusty-orange) washes on the flanks and tail, often with subtle throat spotting.
8”x 10” in both paper ($35) and canvas giclee prints ($140).
Lithograph | 16"x36" | $150
Canvas Giclee | 5"x10.5" | $90
Lithograph | 15.25"x22" | $85
Alaskan Mammalia
People often ask me to tell them the stories behind my paintings. I find that telling these stories adds a whole new level of interest and understanding to my work, so I'm starting to write them down—and share them here. The story of "Black Wolf, Romeo" begins like this:
Romeo was a black Alexander Archipelago wolf (Canis lupus ligoni), a rare subspecies of gray wolf, who lived near Juneau, Alaska, between 2003 and 2009. Known for his unusually friendly and social behavior, Romeo captured the hearts of many in the community by interacting playfully with local dogs and humans in the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. Unlike typical wild wolves, which are shy and tend to avoid consorting with people, Romeo sought out the companionship of local dogs and, even, some lucky humans. It’s difficult to say why he exhibited these uncharacteristic behaviors, but it’s likely due in part because he was a lone wolf, orphaned as a pup.
Canvas Giclee | 8"x23" | $225
The Alaskan landscape is so vast and varied, it would take volumes to describe. Millions of dollars are spent attracting tourists to this state and it’s done primarily with pictures—words just can't describe it, especially not in a 30 second sound byte! The old adage that a picture paints a thousand words might be especially true here. From glaciers to volcanos, desert to rainforest, plains to rugged mountain ranges, Alaska has it all and then some. An artist can make a career painting landscapes in Alaska, and never run out of subject matter in several lifetimes.
Canvas Giclee | 26.5" x 21" | $300.
Alaskan Landscapes
The painting featured here, Village Island Sentinel, was inspired by a trip to this tiny island in SE Alaska. It was the only totem pole left standing from the once-vibrant Tlingit natives who lived there. When you purchase this painting, you will also receive a copy of my account from that day. It's called "The Shaman's Grave: A Tale of Pilfered Artifacts, Pesky Ravens … and Practical Jokes," which you can also read here!
Canvas Giclee | 7.75"x9.75" | $120
Canvas Giclee | 8"x8" | $130
Canvas Giclee | 10"x10" | $225