On March 20 of this year I received a request from Kylee Wiseman to use one of my American Kestrel images as a reference for a painting. At that time Kylee was a high school student in Oregon (she has just recently graduated) and enrolled in an Advanced Placement art class. She was creating a portfolio that revolves around a common theme and since she’s an avid bird lover her chosen theme was “birds in interesting, unexpected compositions”.
Though it’s my general policy to require a licensing fee for commercial use of my images I often donate their use for conservation or educational purposes. And Kylee’s email was so polite, so well written and so… appropriate for the situation (believe me, many such requests are far from polite, or appropriate – here’s an example) I allowed her to use my image as requested (even though she offered up front to pay for it, which is quite unusual). After all, I used to teach Advanced Placement and Honors classes (biology) and I knew it would be personally rewarding to get “back in the groove again” by helping her out with her project.
This is the photo that Kylee asked to use as a reference – an American Kestrel taking off. It has several flaws (no light on the face or in the eye, not quite tack sharp) but the strength of the image is the interesting and somewhat unusual position of the wings and I suspect that’s what grabbed her fancy since it fit her theme so well.
Two days ago I received another thoughtful email from Kylee stating that her project was complete, she had just graduated from high school and she included a sincere “thank you” for allowing her to use my image as a reference. She included a high quality scan of that painting and a couple of others and I thought they were so good I offered to feature them on my blog. She enthusiastically agreed.
Copyright Kylee Wiseman, image used by permission
This is Kylee’s painting of “my” kestrel (I added the watermark, I’m sure she’d have done it more artistically). She told me ahead of time that her intention was to “remove the branch and redraw the feet as if the kestrel had just taken off from a branch just out of the bottom of the frame”. Her version has much better light on the bird than mine does and I adore it. Here’s how she described the technique she used:
- “I outlined the drawing with ink, then painted with watercolor. I created the background by blowing the watercolor with a straw”.
Each student at Kylee’s high school is required to do a service project to benefit the community and since she loves birds so much she chose to create the following watercolor painting to donate to a local hospital (along with others she also donated).
Copyright Kylee Wiseman, image used by permission
Can you even imagine the amount of research, skill and good old-fashioned blood, sweat and tears that went into such a painting? I think she might be a budding Roger Tory Peterson or David Allen Sibley! The painting is 30″ x 30″ and features 38 bird species of Oregon. She used many of my photos to reference these birds too (especially the Black-billed Magpie and Western Meadowlark) and I couldn’t be happier about that.
Notice how she captured the iridescence of the tail of the magpie so beautifully and the Bushtit perched on the Red-tailed Hawk’s head brought a big smile – especially after my post of two days ago featuring a kingbird doing just about the same thing to a red-tail.
And I love the fact that the painting will hang in a hospital where many of all ages will see it and it’s likely that interest in and appreciation for birds will be fostered because of it.
Copyright Kylee Wiseman, image used by permission
This is the key that will hang next to the painting and allow viewers to ID the birds they’re seeing and she included an interesting fact about each one of them.
I think most of my regular readers will appreciate how happy this unexpected chain of events makes me. Even though I’ve retired from the teaching profession my passion is still science and natural history education and Kylee’s paintings and generosity with them take that one more step by helping to educate folks at the hospital about birds and their natural history.
Serendipity personified.
Ron
PS – If you’re interested in seeing more of Kylee’s art some of it can be found here.
Kylee is the granddaughter of a close friend and we have watched her artistic talent bud through the years! This work is amazing and we can’t wait to see what she does in the future. She definitely does her homework to learn about each bird and puts her own creative touch into her artwork. Great job Kylee!!
Wow! Gorgeous paintings. I’m glad you had a good experience collaborating with Kylee. I love how she kept the beauty and magic of your kestrel photograph but made it her own. The painting of the many birds is impressive! Thanks for introducing your viewers to her work.
Thanks for sharing Kylee’s website. It made my day, too.
Wow! That’s all I can say.
What a talented young woman. I hope she continues to share not only her art, but her love of birds!
Late to the party, Ron, but wanted to thank you for introducing us to such a talented young artist!
Warms my heart too. And made my day.
What a great post and story.
This post gave me goose bumps! I’m very happy you are able to help foster such an incredible talent. I like what Kylee did with the Kestrel and the bird poster. Being married to a retired physical science teacher, I understand the desire to continue teaching, in whatever capacity you can.
Now this post and Kylee’s work has made my day! This is one of those times that the width of my smile exceeds the width of my face! YAY Kylee! What a treasure you are!
YIPPEE!!!
Wow is she talented, and has a good eye for detail. I hope we will see more of her work in the future. Thank you for sharing Ron!
Simply awesome! Very beautiful art Kylee, and you too Ron!
Wow what talent! Talent upon talent, you Ron, and now Kylee. How lovely she was able to use your fabulous shots for reference! Really made my day!
Wonderful post Ron! Your generosity and her talent are inspiring. BTW, I’m married to a biological sciences teacher (USU) so i keep up by going to the conferences with her. My profession was medical technology (clinical lab). Also her older sister teaches AP psychology and her husband teaches history at the same junior high in Bountiful. So i hear a lot about the teaching profession and admire those individuals more every year.
Also love the winking barn owl…..and the barbless wire!!! Most of all, I’m sooooo grateful that someone her age, with her interest and talent, is carrying the torch!!! Yes, I’ m excited!!!
Love the feathers and the comments, too!
Whatva team…youband Kylee!!!
WOW!! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! What a treat!!! And what an honor and reward for you !!! I can only imagine how exciting this girl must he to have in one’s an art class…(please excuse me while I go out and burn my brushes!)
And to think that because of how young she is, she will actually get even better!!!! WHAT A BEGIINING!!!….. AND, she’s cute as a kitten to boot!!! WONDERFUL!!!
Breathtakingly beautiful work! I think you are right that she has the makings of a David Sibley or Roger Tory Peterson. It wonderfully sophisticated and mature work for such a young person.
I really enjoyed reading all these comments on my phone while I was out shooting this morning – probably missed a few shots because of it! 🙂
For more reasons than “just” her incredible talent I’m convinced that Kylee has a very bright future ahead of her!
Thank you so much for sharing the work of this talented young artis. It brought me great joy in the midst of an otherwise grim day.
P.S. I’d have picked out “your” meadowlark anywhere!
Thank you for sharing the story, her work is very good Thank you for the link her Deviant Art page, now I know why there is a cassowary in shadow under the ceder-wax wing. Very clever.
Kylee’s story is so nice to hear compared to what is “fed” us daily via the local and national news media. I truly hope she continues to excell; with her talent and personality I see no reason why she won’t. These two works you shared are awesome. I wonder if there is a story behind the Barn Owl’s blinking eye? Thanks to you and Kylee for making my day.
Bill
This! This is why we teach! Ron, thank you so much for sharing — you have no idea how much I needed today’s post. You know how much I love seeing birds in that pose too. 🙂
Kylee, I hope you read this post. You have filled this old high school science teacher with joy beyond measure! I know you will have an illustrious career and a successful life. Both paintings show talent, maturity, and heart far beyond that of the typical high school senior. Wow. Just. Wow. And of course your meadowlark is singing! That’s the icing on the cake. 😀
I would buy that to hang on my wall. She’s amazing!
And you might be interested to know that she also won a Google contest in 2012. https://www.facebook.com/pps.homepage/photos/a.383239051706943.91247.370826172948231/408401969190651/?type=3&theater
Beautiful and inspiring post! Nice to know there are students out there who care about wildlife.
Kylee’s art is just stunning. And I love the light she added to the kestrel’s eyes. In some ways the painting seems more alive than the photograph!
I applaud you for all your art and integrity. This young woman is very inspiring and talented as are you. I watch birds everyday and always am interested in what I see on your blog. I will add this young woman’s site to my list and keep her in mind. Thank you for all you do and still teach.
Heartwarming indeed. It will be interesting to follow Kylee’s career. Until today I had not thought about the medicinal value of blogging. If you ever get slightly depressed, pull out your correspondence with Kylee and your mood should shift toward euphoria. If your blood pressure gets low, read the message from Jezebel.
That is breath-taking! Congratulations to both of you!
I love Kylee’s work, and how it builds on your photo. As an illustrator, I so admire the artistry of both the foreground and background, using 2 different styles. I’ll look forward to hearing more about her in years to come! And I’m glad you responded from the ‘teacher heart’ in response to her polite request.
WOW!! This girl is talented!! What a classy woman! I agree, besides being an excellent artist she is a budding Ornithologist!
You are what teaching is all about! Congratulations for helping her out and being a mentor.
Ron: Wow! Critique all you want, the kestrel is in a great pose. I contacted Kylee via Deviant Art, and pointed her at Marian Berger, another watercolor painter who specializes in birds (Hawaiian extinct and endemic). Hope it interests her.
What a wonderful stoy,what an awesome talent! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
WOW—- this old art teacher ( and artist) is just flabbergasted by this young woman’s promise–already greatly fulfilled. The compositional ability she demonstrates in the multiple species
piece is even more unusual than her rendering expertise which is impressive, to say the least . Watercolor is a MUCH more challenging medium than oil or acrylic ! Additionally, she demonstrates
generosity of spirit and a cute sense of humor —what an impressive young woman…….thanks for sharing these images and her story…….they remind me again that there’s always HOPE coming
down the pike…….keep on truckin’, Kylee– I can see a wonderfully fulfilling future ahead…….
Well done, sir. And you too, Kylee!
WOW! Kylee is obviously a VERY talented, respectful young lady. 🙂 I can only imagine the joy and pride you have in the outcome of granting a polite request from a student. 🙂 Love her art work plus the comments on each bird on the picture – makes it that much more interesting and certainly shows she’s done her homework on the birds. Donating it to the hospital is icing on the cake. Makes up for the likes of “Jezebel” – I remember THAT episode.
Kylee’s request and creative referencing of your photographic images is beautiful, respectful and honorable. She is a quality person, a gifted artist worthy of your pride and friendship.
Absolutely fantastic story. Every day I looked forward to receiving your posting. Besides the excellent photo viewing I really appreciate the little write ups you do to accompany them. A real learning experience for me. Thanks for sharing your very artistic photographs but also your knowledge of scientific inquiry and love of the wild.