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Scarlet Snake- (Cemophora coccinea lineri) Texas Threatened Reptile- Threatened Species ArtThe saying goes... "Red touches yellow, kills a fellow. Red touches black, venom lack."The Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea lineri) is a fairly small nocturnal nonvenomous snake that can be found in South Texas- it can be confused with the venomous red next

“Rock Quillwort (Isoetes lithophila)” - Threatened Species ArtI can't prove it, but I'd bet this is Texas' #1 most encountered threatened species... if you live in Texas and are a visitor to Texas State Parks, there's a good chance you saw this one... ⁠Apparently, according to the website, 250,000 people visit Enchanted Rock each year!&nb

Golden-Cheeked Warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) - Endangered Species ArtThe Endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler is a Central-Texas gem. If you ever have the opportunity to see or hear one of these birds, you know you are in the presence of a uniquely native Texan. It's the ONLY bird that breeds exclusively in Texas, specifically using nesting material

POP ART MUSSELS?!?!“Texas Hornshell (Poenaias popeii)"- Endangered Aquatic Invertebrate I am excited to share that I have been invited by ISEA (Informal Science Education Association) to speak about my art and share a fun science-based art activity of my design at their 2021 conference this year. It's an honor for me because I'll be speaking w

I find this palette a stunner...⁠ ⁠The threatened Coues' Rice Rat builds their nests in the South Texas marsh waters of Hidalgo County where they weave their homes within the cattails and bulrush (grass-like plants).⁠ ⁠Growing up in Wisconsin, I have vivid memories of wetland habitats- cattail expanses lining roadsides offering a beautiful diversit

    Neches River rose-mallow (Hibiscus dasycalyx) palette.I diverged quite a bit from my style with this work.... mainly to nod at all of the incredible hibiscus art that has been created over time- the hibiscus is one of those superstar plants that gets a lot of artistic attention. It's ironic that we have one in our state that is o

I'm of the (recently discovered) opinion that everyone should know about freshwater mussels...Sandbank Pocketbook (Lampsilis satura) paletteIf you like to play in clean and clear fresh waters, you can thank nature’s filters- the native freshwater mussels. There are 52 mussel species in Texas and 15 are listed as Threatened in Texas. ⁠⠀⁠⠀Featured he

"Study Nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." - Frank Lloyd WrightBeautiful colors...As an artist, you would assume that I think a lot about color. It’s true! As a painter, I practice color mixing, blending, subtle changes, stark contrasts. As an Art Educator, I think about color theory and how I can share som

What has a 3rd eye, sensors on its skin to detects electricity, and can become airborne jumping out of the water? The Paddlefish.The Paddlefish is a living fossil (records of paddlefish date back over 125 million years) and the now thought to be the only species of its kind after the Chinese Paddlefish has recently been presumed exti

Today I'm sharing a gift with you- a personal art project... one of our holiday traditions... In 2010 I enjoyed my very first holiday with my eventual stepson. As an 8 year old, he led us in creating a collaborative transforming origami star/ wreath.The best part was that this art project came from a brave, young Kai. He took a chance with me and