Wednesday, September 27, 2017

John James Audubon: Ornithologist, Naturalist, Painter

J.J. Audubon

John James Audubon (born Jean Rabin; April 26, 1785 – January 27, 1851) was an American ornithologistnaturalist, and painter. He was notable for his extensive studies documenting all types of American birds and for his detailed illustrations that depicted the birds in their natural habitats. His major work, a color-plate book entitled The Birds of America (1827–1839), is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever completed. Audubon identified 25 new species.
For more information see:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_James_Audubon 

John James Audubon's Birds of America is a portal into the natural world. It contains 435 life-sized watercolours of North American birds (Havell edition), all reproduced from hand-engraved plates, and is considered to be the archetype of wildlife illustration.

The success of Audubon's first Birds of America brought Audubon Worldwide acclaim. Following that success, he returned to America and set out to issue a smaller version that would include more birds (most newly discovered in the Western U.S.). He decided on a 1/8 or octavo sized sheet measuring about 6-1/2" x 10". He called this set The Royal Octavo Edition of Birds of America. The 1st Edition of 500 plates was lithographed and hand colored by J.T. Bowen in Philadelphia and New York from 1840-44. 

For more information see:  http://www.auduboninfo.net/articles/audubon_story.htm

The following prints are from Birds of America by J.J. Audubon's "Octavo Edition". This is a private collection and may be available for sale soon. Email for information.



Pl.15  Common Osprey Fish Hawk





Pl.383  Trumpeter Swan



Pl. 422  American White Pelican 



Pl. 326  Townsend's Oyster-catcher



Pl. 138  Common Mocking Bird



Pl. 369  Great blue Heron


Pl. 405  Eider Duck



Pl. 375  American Flamingo



Pl. 376  Canada Goose



Pl. 424  Brown Pelican


                 

Pl. 379  Brant Goose



Pl. 423  Brown Pelican



Pl. 175  Swamp Sparrow



Pl. 325  Bachman's Oyster-catcher


Monday, October 26, 2015

Wing Gallery at the MVC Museum of Agriculture

Have you ever visited the Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula? Well, we have, and found it absolutely fascinating! Here is how our story begins...

Sunkist Growers has been our client for over thirty years. They recently moved their headquarters from Sherman Oaks where they have been since 1970. Their new location is in Valencia and they had us frame about 70 iconic box-end citric labels for their offices. Among the work needing to be framed were two mural paintings created by Frank Bowers and Arthur Prunier in 1935 - eighty years ago. (See our blog post of September 5, 2015 for information about the installation).

Please join us on our pictorial journey of this wonderful Agriculture Museum, and of course, see these amazing framed murals in their new home.

Re-visiting the Agriculture Museum
 


                      
 Steam Engine
           
Good Year Tires

For Walnuts
Blacksmith Shop
John Deere 

John Deere

















                                                                                                 
All About Tractors
The Grand Scale



Horse-drawn
It's A Ford



 
Display on Bees
                
The only way to get them in!  
The Grand Result!

Always stop at The Visitor Center

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

A Unique Job for a Good Client



 

Hi Mark

I can't express how excited I was to install the book & stand in the living room. Michael & I got it home. And he was so gracious to lift the 60+ pound book onto the stand.

I am beyond words! 

Thank you so much.                                       
S.B.
  





  

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

MADAME ALEXANDER DISPLAY

 
 
 
This display case, as you can see, is loaded with Madam Alexander Dolls.
"Beth" from LITTLE WOMEN is the hands down favorite character in this case which measures 48" wide, 32" high and 10" deep. That's pretty deep for a doll case but not for dolls who are dressed in such "poofy" dresses . The case is fabricated with clear acrylic and painted from the back with a blue sky and "poofy" clouds. I enjoyed building this display case for such an avid collector! Is there something you collect that you would like to enjoy in a custom made display case?


Saturday, September 5, 2015

Installed at the Ventura County Museum of Agriculture in Santa Paula, California, these mural paintings were created by
Frank Bowers and Arthur Prunier in 1935...80 years ago.
The Wing Gallery completed the framing earlier this year and they were installed in August. 
The largest pieces installed by us prior to this were "Superman" images which were hung at DC  Entertainment in Burbank, California. These framed pieces of artwork measure  110" x 133".





Wednesday, July 29, 2015

FUN ON PINTEREST

 Having fun posting on Pinterest!

Just learning about it and would appreciate any feed back.

I have some interesting things to share!

Thank you!

Sunday, April 12, 2015

In the Spotlight of the Sun



Two artists make accomplished perfection appear effortless. We see the dancer’s mastery of balance and grace through the artist’s command of shape and form and the play of light on and about her through his superb mastery of watercolor paints. This Fine Art Edition is the finishing touch in the creation of a truly elegant living space.
In the Spotlight of the Sun
by Steve Hanks

LIMITED EDITION PRINT
Image size: 18"w x 14 1/2"h.
Limited Edition of: 75
$250.00